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Within most religions, interpretations of beliefs may differ from one school of thought to another - NSC Religion Studies - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 3
Within most religions, interpretations of beliefs may differ from one school of thought to another. Sometimes these differences are major and have even led to religi... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Within most religions, interpretations of beliefs may differ from one school of thought to another - NSC Religion Studies - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
3.1 With reference to any ONE religion, name TWO of its branches and discuss the differences between them under the following headings:
Answer
For this response, I will refer to Islam and its two primary branches: Sunni and Shia.
3.1.1 Teachings
Sunni Islam holds that all teachings within the Hadith are equally valid and follow the teachings from scholars of various centuries. Conversely, Shia Islam places a greater emphasis on the teachings of Muhammad as relayed by his family and closely associated scholars. They believe that the authority of teachings should derive from direct descendants of the Prophet.
3.1.2 Governance
In Sunni Islam, there is no formal clergy and governance is communal. Scholars guide communities based on established teachings. In contrast, Shia Islam has a hierarchical structure, where imams are seen as divinely appointed leaders. Each branch thus reflects distinct approaches to both authoritative teachings and community governance.
Step 2
3.2 Briefly discuss what led to the formation of the two branches you named in QUESTION 3.1 above.
Answer
The formation of Sunni and Shia Islam primarily resulted from a historical disagreement over the rightful leadership succession after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunnis believed that the leadership should remain with the community, supporting Abu Bakr's election as the first caliph. In contrast, Shias contended that leadership should stay within the Prophet's family, advocating for Ali, the Prophet’s cousin, as the rightful successor. This disagreement over authority and governance established the foundational rift between the two branches.
Step 3
3.3 Critically discuss the role of inspiration in religion.
Answer
Inspiration plays a crucial role in religion as it can be viewed as a divine influence that guides believers and spiritual leaders towards understanding and interpreting sacred texts. It fosters a connection between the divine and the follower, often leading to profound experiences and insights. Furthermore, inspiration helps in the formulation of doctrines and practices within the religion, as leaders who claim divine guidance often gain authority in interpreting religious teachings. Overall, inspiration serves as a driving force in the development and continuity of religious beliefs.