The RE Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Calling all students of AQA GCSE RE!

So Paper 1 is tomorrow, what are the last minute things you can do tonight to make sure you are ready for your first RE exam?

First of all, don't worry, you've got this.

But let's quickly go through what to expect in the paper tomorrow, how to answer each type of question, some key concepts, some power quotes and some advice for timing!

GOOD LUCK from the RE Podcast!

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Questionning is at the very heart of who we are as humans as well as the RE classroom.  Following on from my chat with Joe Kinnaird about his new book; Secondary Religious Education in Action, we delve deep into his chapter on questionning.  This follows a brilliant talk he gave on this topic at Strictly 2026.

We look at what makes a good question, how to develop a questionning culture in your classroom, how to deal with 'I don't know' responses and disciplinary questionning and much much more.

Joe suggested three places to find our more about questioning; 

https://walkthrus.co.uk/

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/tips-for-teachers-400-ideas-to-improve-your-teaching-book-craig-barton-9781915261472?sku=GOR012775498&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17428061960&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAIB_X2fZbklVC41wEpoZ8vE4H&gclid=CjwKCAjw5NvPBhAoEiwA_2egfrEtqlutMmcKJqYgJzHERrOlvxHzBA96-aH-57uJj2Xdi-LNMvk1zxoCdj8QAvD_BwE

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/powerful-questioning-book-michael-chiles-9781785835964?sku=GOR013137016&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19554086773&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAICeyYOLa4w-8GHZNK9_lm8QW&gclid=CjwKCAjw5NvPBhAoEiwA_2egfuwijmAHVumThh9NOjyxi1_JtcM_4HfsDQLCSssHO3AA1725DWl48RoC9WsQAvD_BwE

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In this episode I will unpack; 

3.2.1.3 Theme C: The existence of God and revelation

Philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God

• The Design argument, including its strengths and weaknesses.
• The First Cause argument, including its strengths and weaknesses.
• The argument from miracles, including its strengths and weaknesses, and one example of a miracle.
• Evil and suffering as an argument against the existence of God.
• Arguments based on science against the existence of God.

The nature of the divine and revelation

• Special revelation as a source of knowledge about the divine (God, gods or ultimate reality) including visions and one example of a vision.
• Enlightenment as a source of knowledge about the divine.
• General revelation: nature and scripture as a way of understanding the divine.
• Different ideas about the divine that come from these sources:
  • omnipotent and omniscient
  • personal and impersonal
  • immanent and transcendent.
• The value of general and special revelation and enlightenment as sources of knowledge about the divine, including:
  • the problems of different ideas about the divine arising from these experiences
  • alternative explanations for the experiences, and the possibility that the people who claimed to have them were lying or mistaken.

https://www.lourdes-france.com/en/antonietta-raco-72nd-lourdes-miracle/

Explain two different beliefs in contemporary British society about visions. In your answer you should refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and non-religious beliefs.

Most Christians believe visions are a valid way that God reveals truth to his people.

This is because there is evidence of visions in the Bible for example when Mary saw a vision of an angel who told her she would give birth to Jesus

However, most non-religious people do not think visions are a valid way of understanding what is true

This is because there is no proof of that vision happening and the person's account may be unreliable

Explain two religious beliefs about miracles. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

One Christian belief is that miracles demonstrate God’s omnipotence which means he is all powerful.

This is because only an all powerful God could perform miracles

An example of a miracle that shows God’s power is the resurrection of Jesus in the Bible

This shows the miracle of Jesus coming back to life after death which could only be done though the power of God

Another belief is that miracles show God’s omnibenevolence which means he is all loving

This is because an all loving God would want to heal people as an expression of that love.

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In the absence of a National Curriculum, Culham St Gabriel CEO, Kathryn Wright and Deborah Weston have written a National Content Standard.  But what is it? Why do we need it? And, Should there be a National Curriculum for RE?  We discuss all this and more in this delightful chat with two people who are just so passionate about RE!

https://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/resource/national-content-standard-1st-edition-2023/#:~:text=The%20RE%20Council's%20National%20Content,what%20content%20schools%20should%20teach.

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I spent so much of my career not knowing about NATRE and I don't want any RE teacher to miss out on what this amazing organisation has to offer.  From training, to support to resources, this organisation is run by RE teachers and for RE teachers. In this episode I talk to the CEO of NATRE, Fiona Moss and the Chair of the NATRE executive Katie Freeman.  We discuss what NATRE is, how and when it started, what it has achieved so far and what it is hoping to achieve in the future.
If you are not currently a member of NATRE, we outline how you can become one and WHY you should become one!
We also hear from members of the exec both out going and in going so you can find out who they are and what they do.

https://www.natre.org.uk/

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Lat Blaylock became an RE teacher over 40 years ago.  As he takes semi-retirement we look back over his extensive career and celebrate this wonderful subject. I ask him why he committed himself entirely to the teaching of RE. Why he loves RE so much and why he thinks it is such an important subject. We look at how it always seems to be in jeopardy but has always stayed above the water! He discusses the projects he been most proud to be part of and offers some words of wisdom about how to teach RE effectively.
If you are feeling in a slump, this chat will give you the lift you need.  It will reinspire and reinvigorate you.

Here are links to The Spirited Arts project, the Why God, Why? by Bethany Lunney film that features in the episode as well as the Anti-racism resources;

https://www.natre.org.uk/about-natre/projects/spirited-arts/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRgdP5-oERs

https://www.natre.org.uk/about-natre/projects/anti-racist-re/

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This week I interview Mathew Guest about Quakerism.  If you have the February blues then this episode will really cheer you up.  Mathew enightens us about the history of the Quakers but also about the four tenants;

• Equality
• Peace
• Simplicity
• Truth

We also discuss their inspiration behind their commitment to pacifism and non-violent conflict resolution. We consider the importance and need for silence with others in the modern world, as well as the non-judgemental, inclusive nature of Quaker meetings.  Although, if you want something done quickly, don't ask a quaker, but if you want something done well - you can learn a lot from their egalitaian methods!
I ask Mathew how to teach Quaker in the classroom as well as why he's a quaker.  It is an enightening and uplifting chat and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The website he recommends is;
www.quaker.org.uk/resources

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A fantastic chat with Molly Acharya about the Vedas - a set of four holy texts in Hindu Dharma.

• The Rig Veda
• The Yajur Veda
• The Sama Veda
• The Atharva Veda

These books are full of such wisdom that weaves so much into the modern day life of humans, from architecture to feng shui to yoga to diet.
It tells great stories too!
We delve into the the history and structure of these sacred texts, and even discuss how to feng shui your classrooms!
Molly also shares with us her favourite section of the Vedas - The Gayatri Mantra which she says is the best one to teach your students!

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Hands up if you knew that there was an RE Quality Mark? Who thinks their department deserves one? Who would like to know how to get one? All these questions and more are asked in my chat with Indy Nottage, Linda Rudge and Jake Womak.  Indy is from the RE coucil of England and Wales that run the REQM and Linda is project manager for the REQM.  Jake is a Head of Department who has just been awareded the Gold mark so gives us an insight into the process from a schools point of view.  It's a beautiful chat with people who are passionate about good quality RE, but is also really infomative and practical about the process of recognising the fantastic work being done in RE across England and Wales.

https://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/our-work/reqm/about/

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In my final episode in my mini series on The Sermon On The Mount, I dive into the rest of the Sermon On The Mount.  It meanders around a variety of subjects;
Fulfillment of the Law
Murder
Adultery
Divorce
Oaths
Turning the other cheek
Love for enemies
Fasting
Giving to the needy
Treasures in heaven,
Not worrying
Judging others
Turning the other cheek
Asking God for things
False Prophets and disciples

I explore what it might have meant for those listening to it at the time and what it could mean for humans today!

The Bible read again by my Da, Tony Smith

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