A-level Masterclass in PRE 

This half term our A-level Religious Studies students attended an enlightening Philosophy, Religion & Ethics Masterclass in Bloomsbury Baptist Church, the scene of Martin Luther King’s first sermon in London in 1961.  

Speakers included a host of professors from prestigious institutions: Julie Arliss of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford discussed the Politics of the Embryo; James Orr from the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge asked us to question if the existence of mathematics was sufficient proof for God’s existence; Tom Greggs, Marischal Professor of Divinity at the University of Aberdeen, explored the relevance of Eschatology for theological discourse, and the formidable Professor Daphne Hampson explained the thesis of her new book ‘Religion as Gender Politics’.  

The day ended with a debate on whether Natural Law* was a timeless moral compass or an outdated philosophical concept. Year 12 student (and previous champion of the House Debate competition) Emma spoke in front of 600 peers from around the country against the motion, impressing Professors Arliss and Greggs with her examination of the weaknesses of some of Thomas Aquinas’ Five Precepts! 

* Natural law is an ethical theory that claims that humans are born with a certain moral compass that guides behaviors. These inherited rules essentially distinguish the "rights" and "wrongs" in life. Under natural law, everyone is afforded the same rights, such as the right to live and the right to happiness. 

A guided insight into the Islamic faith, mosques & their architecture  

Our forty Year 11 GCSE PRE students had the opportunity this term to visit the East London Mosque for a guided tour with its Visits Co-ordinator Shalima. In keeping with the Islamic tradition of modest clothing, students donned headscarves and removed their shoes upon arrival into the prayer hall and were taken through the multiple services offered by the mosque beyond its main purpose as a house of prayer: it also functions as a wedding and funeral service, a food bank and a primary and secondary school.  

Shalima reminded us of the core principles of the Islamic faith and how these are linked to the architecture of the building, noting the importance of the minbar, the mihrab & qibla and the screens that indicate the times of daily prayers. A few brave volunteers demonstrated the Muslim rakah or prayer positions, before we were taken to the ablution stations to remind ourselves of the purpose and symbolism of Islamic wudu before salah.  

Finally, we were taken to view the impressive minaret from which the adhan is often recited live and were given the opportunity to question Shalima about the various dimensions of Islam that the girls have been studying. As ever, it was an informative and welcoming visit and the students left enriched by experience, ready to use the experience as food for thought when it comes to their revision in time for May next year!