1. Two Chairs Exchange
For AQA GCSE RS

2. Lesson 3: Freedom of Thought, Religion and Belief

3. Starter I: Two Chairs Exchange
As a class, mind-map the core ideas of the Two Chairs exchange

4. Freedom of Thought, Religion and Belief
Today we’ll ask:
Does Christianity/ Islam recognize the human rights of individuals to belief and practice their religion freely?
Is Christianity/Islam exclusivist/ inclusivist/ pluralistic?

5. Starter II: Class discussion
Empathy with others: “What might it be like living as a (minority) faith community in a country with a (majority) faith different to your own?”

6. Research I
There are many, many examples of intolerance and persecution shown to both Muslim and Christian minorities by majority religions. 
Srebrenica genocide
Christians in Pakistan BBC Video link

7. Research II
Look at these Christian sources (see sheet also). What views are put forward about “other” faiths?
Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”.
Acts 10:34 – find, read and consider!
Luke 10 – Good Samaritan. Find, read and consider!
Genesis 1 – all people made in God’s image. Find, read and consider.

8. Research III
Look at these Muslim sources (see sheet also). What views are put forward about “other” faiths?
Sur’ah 42:15: So to that [religion of Allah ] invite, [O Muhammad], and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their inclinations but say, "I have believed in what Allah has revealed of the Qur'an, and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination."
Sur’ah 2:256: There must be "no compulsion in religion."  
“Whoever kills a person who has a truce with the Muslims will never smell the fragrance of Paradise.” (Saheeh Muslim)
“Beware!  Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud)
Muhammad saw Jews and Christians as People of the Book who had received revelation for God, albeit that they had corrupted this revelation. However, he advocated peaceful co-existence with the other Abrahamic faiths, arguing for tolerance and mutual acceptance.

9. … and yet …..
“I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the father except through me” John 14: 6
“Believers, do not take Jews and Christians for allies” Qur’an 5:51
How do these excerpts from scripture complicate matters? Do we also find exclusivist claims here?

10. Two Chairs…
Including reference to key scripture, write a dialogue using the core principles of the Two Chairs Exchange between a Muslim and a Christian, in which each explores the other’s right to believe and practise their religion. You might use statements like this:
“My faith recognizes/ fails to recognize your right to follow a different faith, in that it ….”
“Your faith recognizes/ fails to recognize my right to follow my own faith, in that it …”

11. Closing class discussion
How might a Christian learn from the teachings of Muhammad?
How might a Muslim learn from the teachings of St Paul?
(each without compromising their own religious beliefs)

12. Essay title Assessment:
‘Religion makes people intolerant of those who do not share their faith.’ Evaluate this statement
In your answer you:
should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement
should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view
should refer to differing religious arguments
may refer to non-religious arguments
should reach a justified conclusion.
Without referring to the Two Chairs idea directly, try to bring out differences and similarities between Christianity and Islam. Try to compare and contrast what you have found out about how the two faiths show tolerance to other religions. Try to avoid black and white thinking (avoid one faith = tolerant, the other faith = intolerant).
12 marks