Resource: Sacred Texts | Understanding Sacred Texts
Understanding Sacred Texts
Link to Resource
Understanding sacred texts is an online resource from the British Library. It presents the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Bible and the Qur’an. For each text the DLR asks you to choose one of five themes (then & now; whose text; authority & belief; meaning and interpretation; connections) and listen to five responses to that theme (atheist philosopher; academic; young person; educator; faith leader).
The resource provides an accessible way for students to engage with aspects of the texts, and to hear a variety of responses and perspectives about them. The section ‘Then and now’ has particular value for GCSE students. The three questions asked of the panel are:
1. How can a text written many years ago help people deal with their lives today?
2. In what ways do the texts influence lives today?
3. Would you ever use computer technology instead of a book or scroll?
Classroom suggestions:
a) Ask students to watch a selection of answers on a chosen theme. They should note the response of the five people and talk about how they are similar, and different and why. They should reflect on what their own responses to the same questions might be.
b) Organise a class debate in response to the statement: ‘You don’t need a holy book to help you learn how to be good.’
http://www.bl.uk/learning/cult/sacred/understanding
