How would you do? :)

nozzferrahhtoo

Heres are links to the 2011 Junior Certificate Religeous Education Exam.

Even the fact that they have a higher and lower level course on this amuses me.

"Ordinary" Level Paper

"Higher" Level Paper

I particularly like "People sometimes turn to work as a source of meaning in life. Name another source of meaning in life." and have no idea how they grade the answer to that one. Wonder how many kids wrote "XBox".

Or "Humanism holds the view that........" should be fun given I have met a number of Humanists who do not even agree on the answer to that one!

TwoShedsJackson

Don't think I could resist writing a Father Ted-related answer to question 12 on the Ordinary Paper...

Newaglish

I love this part:

Question 2. This picture is based on the miracle of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter.

A. Pick one thing from this picture which suggests that it is based on the miracle of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter. (2 marks)
B. Give another example of a miracle that Jesus performed. (2 marks)
C. State two reasons why Jesus performed miracles. (6 marks)

It's so excellently matter-of-fact. What if you answered question C with "I don't believe Jesus performed any miracles and was in fact, either the medieval equivalent of Keith Barry, or was the unfortunate subject of wildly exaggerated rumours."?

Skrynesaver

19. In religious traditions the term ‘trust’ refers to ______________

A financial arrangement which puts the wealth of an organisation out of reach of the authorities (see Edmund Rice Trust)

I'm so glad I did not do religion in school

seamus

That actually makes me a feel a little bit sick that the curriculum on which those questions are based is both mandatory for all students and paid for by the taxpayer.

Not only is it heavily christian-biased, but there's no philosophical debate or discussion whatsoever. It might as well be called "bible studies", because that's mostly what it is.

seamus

seamus wrote: »

That actually makes me a feel a little bit sick that the curriculum on which those questions are based is both mandatory for all students and paid for by the taxpayer.

Not only is it heavily christian-biased, but there's no philosophical debate or discussion whatsoever. It might as well be called "bible studies", because that's mostly what it is.

It's not actually mandatory is it? Surely it depends on the school? Or is the mandatory part a new thing since I left school?

Malari

I wouldn't have thought it was mandatory at all. In my school we started off with about 15 subjects in 1st year, which was narrowed down to 9 for Junior Cert.

I would have taken it as an extra subject if it was available in my time, purely for a bit of light relief around exam time. I would have started all answers along the lines of "Christians actually believe that...." or "Jesus allegedly...."

Skrynesaver

seamus wrote: »

That actually makes me a feel a little bit sick that the curriculum on which those questions are based is both mandatory for all students and paid for by the taxpayer.

Not only is it heavily christian-biased, but there's no philosophical debate or discussion whatsoever. It might as well be called "bible studies", because that's mostly what it is.

It's galling alright, I'd be very tempted to hand up an answer-book consisting solely of replies like the one above, the scope for satire is enormous.

I went to a CB school myself and we actually had RE exams before they were on the curriculum, I remember giving Nailer the lyrics to "War Pigs" while busily jotting down the lyrics to Lemmy and Co's excellent tune "Religion" myself for the Hymn question.

Burgo

bluewolf wrote: »

It's not actually mandatory is it? Surely it depends on the school? Or is the mandatory part a new thing since I left school?

Mandatory for the junior cert i think, but optional for the leaving.

Dades

I don't ever remember doing a religious exam. Certainly never in senior school, so I very much doubt it's mandatory.

And I went to a priestly-run place.

All students must follow courses in Irish (except where exemptions apply), English, Mathematics and Civic, Social and Political Education. There may be other compulsory subjects, depending on the type of school. Examinations in a number of other EU languages are offered to students who meet certain criteria.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/state_examinations/junior_certificate_programme.html

Only compulsory depending on the school, then...

seamus

bluewolf wrote: »

It's not actually mandatory is it? Surely it depends on the school? Or is the mandatory part a new thing since I left school?

Actually it's not mandatory, I'm wrong, I got confused. It was introduced as an examination subject after I left school, I was thinking it was a required one.

Burgo

seamus wrote: »

Actually it's not mandatory, I'm wrong, I got confused. It was introduced as an examination subject after I left school, I was thinking it was a required one.

Ah that's it, yeah the year after i did my junior religion became an examinable class.

Turtwig

Wow that has a really heavy Christian slant to it. I also notice how it seems to implicitly assume that religion is only a positive thing. Would love to see the marking scheme on what the accepted definitions of atheism and agnosticism are. If I didn't know better, it looks like they are painting them as religions.

strobe

Here be the marking schemes if anyone is interested...

(Ordinary)
http://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2010/JC220GLP000EV.pdf

(Higher)
http://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2010/JC220ALP000EV.pdf

Malty_T wrote: »

Would love to see the marking scheme on what the accepted definitions of atheism and agnosticism are. If I didn't know better, it looks like they are painting them as religions.

Agnosticism holds the view that 5
Graded
Marking Criteria:
An excellent answer will show an awareness of a world view by accurately identifying that
agnosticism is the view that we know nothing of things beyond material phenomena.
Neither the existence of God nor the non-existence of God can be proven.

The words 'atheist' or 'atheism' are not mentioned on the papers.

oldrnwisr

strobe wrote: »

Here be the marking schemes if anyone is interested...

(Ordinary)
http://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2010/JC220GLP000EV.pdf

(Higher)
http://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2010/JC220ALP000EV.pdf






The words 'atheist' or 'atheism' are not mentioned on the paper.

That would be because those are the 2010 marking schemes and Nozz posted the 2011 papers.:)

kylith

There's a religion exam now?

Sweet feck, we're going backwards.

Turtwig

Ok Atheist Ireland, here is something that urgently needs tackling.

An excellent answer will show an awareness of a world view by accurately identifying that
agnosticism is the view that we know nothing of things beyond material phenomena.
Neither the existence of God nor the non-existence of God can be proven.

This is just plain wrong. Agnosticism makes no distinction between material or immaterial phenomena.

Religion was compulsory in my school for the Junior Cert. I did my JC in 2004, I think, and religion was the one and only subject I failed--purposely, too. I refused to answer a lot of the questions because at the time I'd thought (and still do) that religion was bullshít, and failing was a means of protest, I suppose. I must try dig up my JC result certificate if it's still around; I remember how proud I was of failing that one subject, especially when it was considered impossible to fail.

strobe

oldrnwisr wrote: »

That would be because those are the 2010 marking schemes and Nozz posted the 2011 papers.:)

Right you are.

Edit: From the 2009 Higher level paper I found:
http://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2009/JC220ALP000EV.pdf

Examine how the religious belief of a person could be challenged by each of the following: ii Atheism.

Marking Criteria
An excellent answer will show an understanding of the challenge posed by a world view to religious belief by looking closely at the challenge posed to religious belief by the view that there is no God.
Possible Points:
 Atheism – The view that there is no God and religion does not matter challenges the religious belief of a person who has faith in God and values his/her religion etc.

2009 Ordinary.
http://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2009/JC220GLP000EV.pdf

Atheism holds the view that 5
An excellent answer will show an understanding of the variety of world views in today’s culture by describing how atheism holds the view that there is no God.
Possible Point:
• God does not exist etc.
• Etc.

2007 Higher.
http://www.examinations.ie/archive/markingschemes/2007/JC220ALPO00EV.pdf :mad:

Describe the main religious views held in Atheism 5
An excellent answer will show an understanding of the primary religious tenants of Atheism.
Possible Points:
• Denial of the existence of God
• Belief in the Big Bang creation myth
• Proselytizing of the theory of evolution

strobe is very bold!!

Malari

gvn wrote: »

Religion was compulsory in my school for the Junior Cert. I did my JC in 2004, I think, and religion was the one and only subject I failed--purposely, too. I refused to answer a lot of the questions because at the time I'd thought (and still do) that religion was bullshít, and failing was a means of protest, I suppose. I must try dig up my JC result certificate if it's still around; I remember how proud I was of failing that one subject, especially when it was considered impossible to fail.

"Describe the main religious views held in Atheism 5
An excellent answer will show an understanding of the primary religious tenants of Atheism.
Possible Points:
• Denial of the existence of God
• Belief in the Big Bang creation myth
• Proselytizing of the theory of evolution"

^^^
Judging by this explanation, it was easier to fail than you think.

sensibleken

6. The work of Tacitus provides historical evidence about the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

No it bloody didnt! it provided evidence of christians alright, but we knew that. sometimes i wonder why people dont believe every work of the illiad

Meditation is one type of prayer. Name another type of prayer.

leaving the room

RedXIV

bluewolf wrote: »

Tenants? Really?
Religious tenets of atheism?
Denial of the existence of god?!
Creation myth?!
Proselytizing of evolution??


Good lord

You were doing so well and then topped it off with a religious flair :P

RedXIV

RedXIV wrote: »

You were doing so well and then topped it off with a religious flair :P

I know

strobe, I can't find that quote in the actual link, can you direct me please?

robindch

strobe wrote: »

• Denial of the existence of God
• Belief in the Big Bang creation myth
• Proselytizing of the theory of evolution

I'm sure I'm missing something completely obvious, but what document is this in, and what page?

robindch

^^^ Snap!

ShooterSF

1.17 To show tolerance involves respecting the different believes of other people. True or false.

If the answer they are looking for is true I'll have lost more respect for our school system. That question should be on an English language entrance exam to show that you understand that to tolerate something doesn't mean you respect it. It means you tolerate it, you put up with it even though you don't necessarily respect it because you respect the right of people to hold stupid beliefs.

strobe

bluewolf wrote: »

I know

strobe, I can't find that quote in the actual link, can you direct me please?

Sure, just click on the angry smilie beside the link I provided.

strobe

strobe wrote: »

Sure, just click on the angry smilie beside the link I provided.

It's blocked at work but I'm guessing that means you were winding us up, phew!

I did discover in 2006 that an excellent answer is that "atheism is the belief there is no god"...

strobe

bluewolf wrote: »

It's blocked at work but I'm guessing that means you were winding us up, phew!

Yep, apologies . Even our education system isn't that bad, thankfully.

(I could claim there is a lesson in there about checking source material before accepting things posted on the internet as fact. But in reality I'm just a bit of a sap.)

The first two quotes from the papers are accurate though, promise.

strobe

strobe wrote: »

Yep, apologies . Even our education system isn't that bad, thankfully.

(I could claim there is a lesson in there about checking source material before accepting things posted on the internet as fact. But in reality I'm just a bit of a sap.)

The first two quotes from the papers are right though.

I had already checked the first two and assumed you'd missed a link in the last quote

AhSureTisGrand

•Libertarianism
•Religious fundamentalism

Compare how the relationship between a country's law and religion is seen from each of the above points of view

Most of the more "intellectual" questions are bizarre and random like this.

However, what the markers look for above all else is shįtloads of ink. Fill up all the space and you should get a B at the very least

sensibleken

Could you imagine if we had this exam 20 years ago?

Question 1: Circle the figure who watches you masturbate

a: Jesus
b: your dead grandmother
c: Fr. Collins
d: all of the above

Question 2: If you tell anyone what will happen

a: you'll go to hell
b: your family will go to hell
c: you'll go to hell
d: youll wait 20 years for someone to take you seriously and then be called a liar by church officials

Question 3: Name 3 reasons why protestants are wrong

Question 4: explain the purpose of the yard stick in catholic education using diagrams...detailed diagrams

Tomk1

sensibleken wrote: »

Could you imagine if we had this exam 20 years ago?

Question 3: Name 3 reasons why protestants are wrong

Answers from 1991
1. Protestants believe in divorce, and Ireland will never have divorse because we're a catholic democratic republic.

2. Protestant high-priest can get married, catholic high-priest's do not get maried because they are married to Mr.god, the church and all it's children.

3. They are wrong because the CCL say's protestants are wrong (not a stawman aurgument but fact !!!)

---

Do I pass ?

Galvasean

4. because Celtic are clearly better than Rangers

goose2005

agnosticism is the view that we know nothing of things beyond material phenomena.

That's empiricism, isn't it?.

sensibleken

Tomk1 wrote: »

Answers from 1991
1. Protestants believe in divorce, and Ireland will never have divorse because we're a catholic democratic republic.

2. Protestant high-priest can get married, catholic high-priest's do not get maried because they are married to Mr.god, the church and all it's children.

3. They are wrong because the CCL say's protestants are wrong (not a stawman aurgument but fact !!!)

---

Do I pass ?

*just remembered 1991 was 20 years ogo and felt really old!*

Haelium

I wrote the lyrics to a "Slayer" song. I didn't do the project, and somehow I got an E.