Buddhism not included in religious studies GCSE Course! (outraged - lol)

[XxXHjJXxX]

I am really annoyed because my GCSE religios studies course covers every world religion (sikhism, hinduism, judaism, islam, christianity, but not buddhism!). I think it's unfair thatr they're all included apart from buddhism! They should all be included!!!!!!

please comment xxxxxx

[Parousia]

(09-18-2009 01:20 PM)XxXHjJXxX Wrote:  I am really annoyed because my GCSE religios studies course covers every world religion (sikhism, hinduism, judaism, islam, christianity, but not buddhism!). I think it's unfair thatr they're all included apart from buddhism! They should all be included!!!!!!

please comment xxxxxx

Maybe this is why...

Quote:Since the time of the Buddha, the refutation of the existence of a creator has been seen as a key point in distinguishing Buddhist from non-Buddhist views.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Buddhism

[Zagreus]

You say GCSE, so I assume you're in the UK. Well, until recently I was an RS teacher, so I can answer this!

I won't bore you with the details of how these things are decided, but basically it's up to your teachers. RS isn't done by National Curriculum, it's a bit more localised. The decision for you, would have been made depending upon which examining board they are using, and partly also what your teachers fancy teaching.

If you asked nicely, your teacher might include some Buddhism. Otherwise, ask on here. I only taught Buddhism to KS3, but I've still got info for KS4 stuff. I'm sure others on here will know a fair amount too. Hope that answers your question.

[XxXHjJXxX]

(09-18-2009 05:46 PM)Zagreus Wrote:  You say GCSE, so I assume you're in the UK. Well, until recently I was an RS teacher, so I can answer this!

I won't bore you with the details of how these things are decided, but basically it's up to your teachers. RS isn't done by National Curriculum, it's a bit more localised. The decision for you, would have been made depending upon which examining board they are using, and partly also what your teachers fancy teaching.

If you asked nicely, your teacher might include some Buddhism. Otherwise, ask on here. I only taught Buddhism to KS3, but I've still got info for KS4 stuff. I'm sure others on here will know a fair amount too. Hope that answers your question.

Thanks that was really helpful. Since I made this post I've discovered that we only learn about judaism and christianity for GCSE at my school! ( But we do RS as an option and RE as compulsory so we might cover buddhism in RE - the reason I thought we covered all before was because I looked on the BBC bitesize revision and that included all but buddhism, I didn't realise it was different in every school). But I want to become an RS teacher and if I did I'd iclude every religion in the course! It can be so boring learning about 1 religion for a whole year - I'd rather do 1 religion per term in less detail (keeps me intrested). Why did you stop being an RS teacher? and I am in the UK

[Zagreus]

(09-19-2009 12:57 PM)XxXHjJXxX Wrote:  Thanks that was really helpful. Since I made this post I've discovered that we only learn about judaism and christianity for GCSE at my school! ( But we do RS as an option and RE as compulsory so we might cover buddhism in RE - the reason I thought we covered all before was because I looked on the BBC bitesize revision and that included all but buddhism, I didn't realise it was different in every school). But I want to become an RS teacher and if I did I'd iclude every religion in the course! It can be so boring learning about 1 religion for a whole year - I'd rather do 1 religion per term in less detail (keeps me intrested). Why did you stop being an RS teacher? and I am in the UK

Ok, to put it simply, there is no difference between RE or RS; they are the same thing. The name changes due to fashion. As you say you want to teach the subject I'll explain. By the way, we're both in UK. Oh, as a guess too, are you in year 9?

Originally the Church owned all the schools in this country (we're talking early last century here), and the subject was called Religious Instruction (RI). I can't remember which year it was, but basically the church sold the schools to the government on the condition that Christianity was still taught.

It was later felt that 'Instruction' was too specifically telling people to be Christian, and so the subject should be changed to 'Education' (RE) (this was in the 1980s if I remember right) as in, students could learn about all the religions. It has been recently changed to Religious Studies (RS) to suggest that the student is not being educated in the ways of religion, but is studying the various religions. Make sense? Not really, but that's PC semantics for you. It'll all be called 'philosophy' within 5 years I reckon (I've seen this started in schools already.)

You made a difference between RS & RE; basically everyone by law has to study Religion - mainly Christianity. This was the deal when the schools were sold off. You have to do 50% Christianity, and generally the other five other major religions make up the other 50%. This is decided by your teachers, and your's have chosen 50% Xianity and 50% Judaism as the basic two to be studied, from what you have said.

There are two types of RS; Short course or Full course. You said you had an option, well this is it! Everyone has to do short course (half a GCSE), and by the looks of your post, this will be Xianity & Judaism, but if you do full course (full GCSE) then the teacher will cover other things, and maybe look at other religions. Again, it depends on your RS department.

BBC Bitesize is great, and I would lay money that your teachers will work along the lines given there, as they are fairly exam board friendly.

If you want to teach RS, then I'd assure you it is very rewarding. Why did I quit? Long story. Just know I regret nothing, and I would have loved to have carried on teaching the subect, but I had my differences with the school. If you want to teach every religion, then there is nothing stopping you. I wish you every luck!

[XxXHjJXxX]

(09-19-2009 09:13 PM)Zagreus Wrote:  

(09-19-2009 12:57 PM)XxXHjJXxX Wrote:  Thanks that was really helpful. Since I made this post I've discovered that we only learn about judaism and christianity for GCSE at my school! ( But we do RS as an option and RE as compulsory so we might cover buddhism in RE - the reason I thought we covered all before was because I looked on the BBC bitesize revision and that included all but buddhism, I didn't realise it was different in every school). But I want to become an RS teacher and if I did I'd iclude every religion in the course! It can be so boring learning about 1 religion for a whole year - I'd rather do 1 religion per term in less detail (keeps me intrested). Why did you stop being an RS teacher? and I am in the UK

Ok, to put it simply, there is no difference between RE or RS; they are the same thing. The name changes due to fashion. As you say you want to teach the subject I'll explain. By the way, we're both in UK. Oh, as a guess too, are you in year 9?

Originally the Church owned all the schools in this country (we're talking early last century here), and the subject was called Religious Instruction (RI). I can't remember which year it was, but basically the church sold the schools to the government on the condition that Christianity was still taught.

It was later felt that 'Instruction' was too specifically telling people to be Christian, and so the subject should be changed to 'Education' (RE) (this was in the 1980s if I remember right) as in, students could learn about all the religions. It has been recently changed to Religious Studies (RS) to suggest that the student is not being educated in the ways of religion, but is studying the various religions. Make sense? Not really, but that's PC semantics for you. It'll all be called 'philosophy' within 5 years I reckon (I've seen this started in schools already.)

You made a difference between RS & RE; basically everyone by law has to study Religion - mainly Christianity. This was the deal when the schools were sold off. You have to do 50% Christianity, and generally the other five other major religions make up the other 50%. This is decided by your teachers, and your's have chosen 50% Xianity and 50% Judaism as the basic two to be studied, from what you have said.

There are two types of RS; Short course or Full course. You said you had an option, well this is it! Everyone has to do short course (half a GCSE), and by the looks of your post, this will be Xianity & Judaism, but if you do full course (full GCSE) then the teacher will cover other things, and maybe look at other religions. Again, it depends on your RS department.

BBC Bitesize is great, and I would lay money that your teachers will work along the lines given there, as they are fairly exam board friendly.

If you want to teach RS, then I'd assure you it is very rewarding. Why did I quit? Long story. Just know I regret nothing, and I would have loved to have carried on teaching the subect, but I had my differences with the school. If you want to teach every religion, then there is nothing stopping you. I wish you every luck!

Thanks again, that was really helpful. and I am in year 9 (but I'm starting my GCSEs now instead of year 10 because my school did compressed KS3). And we're doing short course all religions (everyone has to do) and extended christianity and judaism long course (option) but it should be the other way round don't you think?

[lastmikvehlastDay]

Quote:hinduism, judaism, islam, christianity, but not buddhism!

I am not taking your instructors for fools nor could you add to the course work. But there is a classic *'interplay' between Brahmans and Buddhists. Simply stated, Let us say the list was different. If you study elementary buddhism arent you bound to run into hinduism ?!? So why NOT make the *reverse of that work towards your ends ?