Flame 2 (2015)

Thirteen students and two staff from Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School went on the minibus to the Flame 2 conference at Wembley Arena on Saturday 7th March 2015. A few students wrote about their experiences...

"I went to Flame 2 on the 7th March 2015, and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. That whole day was action packed and ranged from performances with Matt Redmond to Flame 2 Dancers, Flame is a fun and effective way to deepen your faith, whilst being amongst thousands of other young people. I personally would say that there was not a dull moment and I would definitely go again if I got the chance to attend Flame 3. I myself before going to Flame 2 would have said that I did not have a strong faith but after attending Flame 2, I can honestly say it has strengthened and enhanced my faith in God. If I had to choose a favourite part, I would say the shout out to our school and Miss Laverty and Mr Lewis from Gilly Hope at Flame 2 SSE Arena and the moving closing prayer at the end, as it gave all of us a moment to relax and to personally reflect of everything we had previously heard and seen at Flame 2. I think people should go to Flame 3 in 2 year’s time as it will honestly strengthen your faith and develop your understanding of Christianity, it will open your eyes to the events currently operating around the world, how you can help and most importantly attending a Flame Conference will allow you take away something that is so special; a stronger relationship with God." - Y12 Student 

"On Saturday 7th March 2015, I went to Flame2 and had a really great day. I had never been to an event like this before but I found it a really inspiring and very enjoyable experience. It wasn’t what I expected at all, there was quite a lot of music from the very talented Matt Redman and speakers such as Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle really made me think and were very entertaining. The highlight of the day would be, aside from the lively music, when we convinced my friend to try on a CAFOD heart costume and talk to the volunteer about why they chose to get involved in charity work. Also, after the event, we got a picture with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. I would advise anyone to definitely attend Flame 3 because it is a great way of talking to new people who are part of the same community as you and finding out more about them. Flame 2 was a great experience for me and I would just like to thank Mr Lewis and Miss Laverty for taking us there and to everyone who made the day possible." - Y10 Student

To be updated as students email in their reflections.

Read a report from ICN <here>

Y9 Assessment 3: Life in the Spirit

Image courtesy of Propaganda for Change blog from a BHA campaign

Task: 

Secular humanists, who do not believe in God, frequently wish to identify God as the problem. Use your knowledge of the gifts of God’s Spirit to write a letter as a Christian to the British Humanist Association to explain that ‘God is not the problem in the world but a gift to be discovered’. 

Think about the following to help you write the article:

• Describe and show understanding of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. [L4] 
• Explain how the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit relate to everyday life. [L5] 
• Analyse the consequences of this for different people. Show understanding of the secular humanists’ view. [L6] 
• Give your own opinion, carefully backed up with evidence. Consider another opinion and explain why you disagree with it. [L7]

Humanism is a philosophical and ethical belief that emphasises the value of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence (rationalism, empiricism) over faith.

We work on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason and humanity. We promote Humanism, a secular state, and equal treatment of everyone regardless of religion or belief. Our celebrants provide non-religious funeral, wedding, and naming ceremonies.

https://humanism.org.uk

Why is a religion seen as a 'problem'?

• Things reduced to "faith" and "religious mystery" rather than rational thought.
• Religion as a cause for evil and suffering... oppression of groups within society.
• Can stop clear scientific thought and investigation.
• No God is a simpler explanation! 

This is a complicated essay on it: https://humanism.org.uk/about/humanist-philosophers/faq/whats-so-wrong-with-faith/ [Level 8]

BHA Campaigns:

 

Do religions not cause problems in society?

 

 

Can religions not help in society?

SHoM Mission Week: The Speakers

Image courtesy of Geograph 

This week we are very fortunate that we have managed to arrange a wide variety of speakers and guests who have come to share their personal reflection on Mission Week theme "Life to the Full"

• Scripture Union have set up a prayer space in G1 and classes are visiting to experience different ways to pray. 
• Hamish McQueen is the Youth Service Director for the Diocese of East Anglia. Find out more about Ignite, the EA youth team <here> 
• John Green from the Apostleship of the Sea. Find out more about them <here>
• Steve Murray is an internationally recognised Christian mime artist. Find out more about him <here>
• John Battle was the MP for Leeds West 1987-2010 and first director of Church Action on Poverty. Find out more about him <here>

Evil and Suffering: AS Revision

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Some revision videos linked to the AS topic of Evil and Suffering from the excellent MrMcMillanREvis:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qilO5AJjkvw&sns=em

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1ysPBjXXk4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWcgHmXV09g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEB72UE7P2A

Also available as iTunes podcasts <here>

Y8 Assessment 2: The Mass

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Write an formal letter to someone you know who no longer goes to Mass on Sundays.

• Explain what you now understand about the Eucharist.
• How it has challenged and/or helped you to appreciate what happens at Mass.
• Make some suggestions that you think might encourage this person to return to Mass.

Think about the following to help you answer the question:

• Describe some of the actions of the Mass. [L3]
• Give some examples of specific parts of the Mass and explain why they are important. [L4]
• Explain some of the misunderstandings or confusions about what happens during the Mass.
• Highlight the Catholic teaching and beliefs about the Mass. How could you encourage someone to return to Mass? [L5]
• Give your own opinion, carefully backed up with evidence, about the challenges of the Eucharist. Explain why Mass is something to be appreciated. Consider the opinions of others. [L6]
• Reference to scripture, Catechism etc. [L7]

Videos:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agjq162te4A [L4+]
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcB7Uem00n4 [L5+]
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdGkTdv4Dt4 [L4+]
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMSiHGTBdGk [L6+]
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddub2td3m0k [L6+]

Stephen Fry calls God an 'evil, capricious, monstrous maniac'

Image courtesy of The Telegraph 

Outspoken atheist Stephen Fry created headlines this week as he described God as 'evil, capricious, monstrous maniac' on an Irish TV interview:

This has echoes of the 18th century atheist David Hume who claimed evil and suffering as "the rock of atheism".

However the response from Christians has already begun....

Giles Fraser wrote a response to Fry. He concludes:

Simply put: there is no such thing as the God he imagines. It is the flying teapot orbiting a distant planet about which nothing can be said. Such a God doesn’t exist. Nilch. Nada. It’s a nonsense. Indeed, as no less an authority than Thomas Aquinas rightly insists, existence itself is a questionable predicate to use of God. For God is the story of human dreams and fears. God is the shape we try to make of our lives. God is the name of the respect we owe the planet. God is the poetry of our lives. Of course this is real. Frighteningly real. Real enough to live and die for even. But this is not the same as saying that God is a command and control astronaut responsible for some wicked hunger game experiment on planet earth. Such a being does not exist. And for the precisely the reasons Fry expounds, thank God for that. [Read more <here>]

Russell Brand has uploaded this:

Fr Ed Tomlinson has written an extensive post on his blog:

For it is obvious from your emotional response that you actually hold life to be precious. Your rage at the worm suggests you see something infinitely precious in humanity that makes it worthy of dignity, protection and care. Good for you! Christians agree and include you in that number. But Stephen….

…why rail against God if you don’t believe in him? I cannot imagine getting cross with a creature I believed mythical, say a unicorn or pixie! No, the emotion you display is only rationally, surely, if delivered to a living agent you do suspect might just be there.

Perhaps then it is not that you disbelieve in God, so much as feel anger towards him and what you think he has revealed? If so I urge you to look again and see not only our grot but also our glory. For there must clearly be something of value in a Catholic church that has lasted two thousand years, which comprises 1.4 billion members and which has outlived every regime that ever sought to destroy it. [Read more <here>]

Another response from Justin Brierley:

Do you think Stephen Fry has put forward a rational and balanced argument? Do you agree with Russell Brand that Stephen Fry has 'missed something'? How about Fr Ed Tomlinson's response, is Fry closer to theism than he realises? Did David Hume get it right several hundred years ago or is there a theodicy that allows suffering AND God to exist? 

Y9 Assessment 2 (2015 onwards): Greed

Image courtesy of the Daily Mail

Your second assessment focus on the Gospel messages related to greed and wealth.

“A few peoples’ greed leaves millions in need.”

Write a feature article for the Financial Times with this headline.

Think about the following to help you write the article:
Describe and show understanding of Christian teaching on greed and helping those in need including quotes and references to scripture. [L4]
Explain what Jesus asks of all Christians and demonstrate different responses to this. [L5]
Analyse the consequences of these responses for different people. [L6]
Give your own opinion, carefully backed up with evidence. Consider another opinion and explain why you disagree with it. [L7]

Useful Bible passages

• Luke 06:24-25 (woe to rich & fed)
• Luke 12:15-21 (rich fool parable)
• Luke 16:19-31 (rich man & lazarus)
• Mark 10:23-24 / Luke 18:24-25 (camel & needle)
• Matt 06:19-21 (treasures in heaven)
• Matt 06:24 / Luke 16:13 (god & money)

Bible Quotes on greed <here>

These may also be useful

• A Poor Pope: Is it Possible?
• Priests and Nuns Should Drive Humble Cars!

Remember to select the ones you think you can explain and show that you understand