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Year 7

Worldviews and religious education

I can explain how a person's worldview may be impacted by influential thinkers, upbringing and experience and describe why this is significant when studying religion.

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Year 7

Worldviews and religious education

I can explain how a person's worldview may be impacted by influential thinkers, upbringing and experience and describe why this is significant when studying religion.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Our worldview is a product of many influencing factors.
  2. Our upbringing and social experiences may help shape how we interpret information and events.
  3. We are not always aware of the things which impact our wordlview.
  4. It may be helpful to recognise our worldview when considering the beliefs and practices of others.

Keywords

  • Influence - the ability to shape or change someone's beliefs, thoughts or actions

  • Perspective - a particular way of thinking or viewing something

  • Religion - a set of attitudes, beliefs and practices. People who follow a religion are religious

  • Values - core beliefs that guide how a person behaves and makes decisions

Common misconception

Not everyone has a worldview and someone's worldview is entirely their own choice.

We may not be conscious of having a worldview but everyone stands somewhere and our worldview is influenced by many external factors.

Although a worldview is not easily changed by evidence, it does develop and grow depending on how someone is influenced. You may want to research videos explaining worldviews.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A person's way of understanding, experiencing and responding to the world is known as a ...
Correct Answer: worldview, Worldview
Q2.
Which definition of religion is most accurate?
Correct answer: a system of beliefs which includes worship of a supreme being
a set of attitudes, beliefs and practices
a system of beliefs that help inform someone's attitude
a collection of rituals which must be followed
Q3.
Do worldviews easily change over time?
They change whenever someone is confronted with new evidence.
Correct answer: They are usually very stable and only change with significant life experiences.
They change frequently based on popular opinions and trends.
Once formed, they never change.
Q4.
What method did Socrates use to encourage people to reflect on their worldviews?
He told them what his views were.
Correct answer: He used questioning to encourage them to critically examine their beliefs.
He taught them that there are definite answers to life's big questions.
He criticised their views.
Q5.
What were the worldviews of Plato and Aristotle?
Correct Answer:Aristotle,we can know the truth by using observation and experience

we can know the truth by using observation and experience

Correct Answer:Plato,using reason helps us remember the perfect forms of what we experience

using reason helps us remember the perfect forms of what we experience

Q6.
What do philosophers use logic for?
Correct answer: to help them think clearly and make valid arguments
to confirm what they believe
Correct answer: to think critically about their own worldviews
to find support for the view they already hold

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why is it inevitable that everyone has a worldview?
Correct answer: because everyone encounters different ideas and experiences in life
because society dictates a single way of thinking
because individuals can choose to adopt someone else's beliefs
because everyone is born with a perspective on life
Q2.
Which are characteristics of worldviews?
Correct answer: they are shaped by individual experiences
they do not change over time
Correct answer: they influence how people interpret what happens to them
they can be proved with evidence
Q3.
What factors can contribute to the formation of a worldview?
Correct answer: religion
personal taste
Correct answer: upbringing
trends
Q4.
Which worldviews have influenced which career choices?
Correct Answer:Education is key to personal development,teacher

teacher

Correct Answer:Everyone deserves a second chance.,social worker

social worker

Correct Answer:Nature must be protected for the future.,environmental scientist

environmental scientist

Correct Answer:Success is achieved through hard work.,business executive

business executive

Q5.
What are the benefits of reflecting on our worldviews?
It helps us feel certain about our beliefs.
Correct answer: It helps us understand our personal beliefs and values better.
Correct answer: It encourages tolerance of other people's perspectives.
It encourages us to realise we are wrong to have beliefs.
Q6.
Why is it important to be aware of your own worldview when studying religious education?
Correct answer: It helps you to see where you might be biased.
It means you can accept other people's views.
It allows you to put together evidence against other worldviews.
Correct answer: It enhances your ability to appreciate diverse perspectives.

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