Paper 1: Religions

Background to Christian forgiveness | What's the Point of Forgiveness?

An introduction to the ancient context in which Jesus first preached about forgiveness.

The crucifixion | The Passion

A dramatised retelling of the crucifixion of Jesus.

The seven days of creation | Testament: The Bible in Animation

The story of the creation of the world by God, according to the book of Genesis.

Agony in the Garden | The Passion

A dramatised retelling of the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Trial before Pontius Pilate | The Passion

In a dramatised retelling of the last week of Jesus' life, Jesus is tried before Pontius Pilate.

The crown of thorns | Treasures of Heaven

A look at one of the most important relics in Christianity, the thorn of crowns, and the chapel where it was once held.

60 Second Sermons | KS3 Curriculum Bites

Seven programmes for 11-14 year olds on issues of Christianity and critical thinking, designed to stimulate and engage debate.

What Would Jesus Do? | KS3 Curriculum Bites

Seven programmes for 11-14 year olds on issues of Christianity and critical thinking, designed to stimulate and engage debate.

Death | Being...

A discussion of death in Christianity.

Jesus | Jerusalem: The Making of a Holy City

Simon Sebag Montefiore tells the story of Jesus in Jerusalem.

Peter and the empty tomb | David Suchet - In the Footsteps of St Peter

The story of St Peter and the other disciples finding the empty tomb after Jesus' crucifixion.

Jesus teaching about compassion | The Passion

In a dramatised retelling of the last week of Jesus' life, Jesus teaches his followers about compassion and justice.

Lord's Prayer meaning | Songs of Praise

Sean meets theologian Dr Paula Gooder in the college's chapel to delve deeper into what The Lord's Prayer means and why these words o...

The shepherds and the kings visit baby Jesus | The Nativity

In a dramatised retelling of the Nativity, the shepherds and kings visit the stable where Jesus has just been bor...

Selling Jesus? | KS3 Curriculum Bites

Seven programmes for 11-14 year olds on issues of Christianity and critical thinking, designed to stimulate and engage debate.

The shepherds hear of Christs birth | The Nativity

In a dramatised retelling of the Nativity, the shepherds are told of the birth of Jesus.

Christ is born | The Nativity

A dramatised retelling of the birth of Jesus.

The story of Lourdes | Songs of Praise

The story of St Bernadette's visions at Lourdes and how the town in France became one of Europe's most popular pilgrimage sites.

Pentecostal Baptism | Being...

Savannah is baptised into the Pentecostal church.

The Iona Community | Songs of Praise

The story of the Iona Community, founded at the site of one of the oldest Christian places of worship in Great Britain.

The last supper | The Passion

A dramatised retelling of the Last Supper.

Baptism | Being...

A family of Roman Catholics baptize their fifth child.

A modern miracle | Songs of Praise

A man who suffered from incurable cancer claims to have been cured by prayer and holy water at Lourdes.

Social Christianity | The Battle for Christianity

In Bolton, Christian organisations help their local community by running a food bank.

Pentecostal Church healing | A Question of Faith

Students visit a Pentecostal Church where they do divine healing.

Catholic children practice for their First Holy Communion | Catholics

Catholic children prepare for their First Holy Communion with the help of their teachers.

Investigating miracles | Songs of Praise

Hundreds of people claim to have been miraculously cured at Lourdes every year and a medical committee there investigates every sing...

Baptism | Life and Death the Pentecostal Way

Hannah and Jordan are baptised in the Pentecostal Church.

The Holy Flame | Sacred Wonders

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Christians gather to witness an Easter miracle.

The Eucharist | The Passion

In a dramatised retelling of the last week of Jesus' life, Jesus establishes the sacrament of the Eucharist.

St. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus | David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Paul

The story of St Paul's conversion after a dramatic revelation on the road to Damasc...

Hillsong: a new type of church | The Battle for Christianity

More than 8000 people gather at Hillsong every Sunday for a different form of Christian worship.

A night out with the street pastors | Reverse Missionaries

Pastor John Chilimtsidya, a reverse missionary from Malawi, joins the street pastors, a group offering help to peo...

A Charismatic church in South Africa | Around the World in 80 Faiths

In Johannesburg in South Africa, devotion to the Holy Spirit is at the heart of the activities of a popu...

Pam takes part in an outdoor baptism | Songs of Praise

A vicar in Dorset welcomes a child to the Christian church through an outdoor baptism.

Evangelism | Life and Death the Pentecostal Way

Members of the Evangelism team discuss their work.

Revelation | A Question of Faith

The group takes part in a Christian healing service and questions if god can heal today.

A church service in a skate park | Reverse Missionaries

Pastor John Chilimtsidya from Malawi holds a service in a skate park in Blantyre, Scotland, to win over the young peo...

Pentecostalism | Being...

Savannah discusses her experience of the Pentecostal Church and explains why she wants to be baptised.

Church planting | The Battle for Christianity

Could a new style of worship be the key to reversing the decline of the church in Britain?

Preparing for Baptism | Life and Death the Pentecostal Way

Hannah and Jordan discuss their choices to be Baptised into the Pentecostal Church.

Talking to teenagers about faith | Reverse Missionaries

Kshama Jayaraj talks to a boy expelled from school and a teenage mother as part of her missionary work in Belfast.

Afterlife and mourning and funeral rites in Islam | Being...

This clip explains the different rituals in Islam that are carried out following the death of someone.

Muhammad's First Revelation | The Life of Muhammad

The story of the first of Muhammad's revelations of the Qur'an.

What accepting Islam felt like for Jermaine and reciting Shahada | Being...

A first hand account of one persons accepting Islam later in life and reciting the Shahada.

Episode 1 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

With thousands of Muslims undertaking the profound and sacred journey of Hajj, new convert Simon Peters explains the first pilla...

Rituals of birth in Islam | Being...

A couple explain the traditions they follow in Islam following the birth of their first child.

The Quran | The Life of Muhammad

Rageh Omaar explains Muslim beliefs about how the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad.

God the Creator | The Hidden Art of Islam

Rageh Omaar looks at Islamic ideas about the depiction of God in art.

Shi'a Muslims | Muslims Like Us

Zohra discusses her experiences of being a Shi'a Muslim living in Britain.

Sharia | The Life of Muhammad

An exploration of the origins of Sharia law and its role today.

The Blue Mosque | Civilisations

Mary Beard visits the Blue Mosque and explores the beautiful calligraphy within it.

Sunni and Shi'a | Muslims Like Us

The group discuss why there is persecution between Sunnis and Shi'as.

Hadith | The Life of Muhammad

The story of how the Hadith were compiled and verified by Muslim scholars.

Last Sermon | The Life of Muhammad

A look at the key teachings that Muhammad delivered in his Last Sermon, and their relevance to historical and contemporary Islam.

The Koran, rituals involved in reading it and Hifdh | Being...

A young girl explains how Muslims prepare to read the Koran, its importance and why she has chosen to do Hifdh.

Shia imagery | The Hidden Art of Islam

Rageh Omaar learns how the theological schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims is also reflected in their art.

Shirk | The Life of Muhammad

A look at Muhammad's birth and early life and the way in which he is viewed by Muslims.

Muslim wedding | A Question of Faith

Students experience a Muslim wedding.

Preparing for Ramadan | Ramadan Diaries

Muslim across Britain talk about getting ready for Ramadan.

Football and Ramadan | The One Show

Rayan Kolli, a footballer for QPR, shows how observing Ramadan affects his training and what he does to make sure he stays healthy and fit.

Jihadi | The Life of Muhammad

A look at the role of violence and the meaning of the term Jihad within Islam.

Salah | Belief File

Muslim students explain how they pray.

England's Moeen Ali: Ramadan fast makes me feel sharper | Newsday

Moeen Ali talks about what the Ramadan fast means to him.

Jihad | The Life of Muhammad

The concept of Jihad in Islam originated with Muhammad's war against his enemies in Mecca.

29: Night of Power | Ramadan Diaries

On the "Night of Power" Muslims will pray all night until dawn, in the belief that God will forgive them for all their sins.

31: Eid | Ramadan Diaries

Various Muslims prepare for the celebration of Eid.

Episode 6 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

It's the first day of Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimmage to Mecca - and Kosser, Serfraz and their fellow pilgrims must leave Mecca and...

05: Video Diaries: First Day of Ramadan | Ramadan Diaries

Various Muslims describe how their first day of Ramadan goes.

Ramadan in Jerusalem | Sacred Wonders

A team of volunteer paramedics help worshippers during Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Episode 7 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

For the three million pilgrims this is the most emotional and powerful day of the Hajj. After sunrise, the pilgrims head to the ...

01: Pre-Ramadan | Ramadan Diaries

Various Muslims describe what Ramadan and is how they are looking forward to the festival.

Episode 5 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

The sacred duty of Hajj - the great pilgrimage to Mecca - is the fifth and final pillar of Islam.

Episode 2 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

Two schooboys explain the second pillar, prayer, as thousands of faithful Muslims prepare for Hajj - the great pilgrimage to Mecca.

Episode 9 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

Today the piligrims are required to throw tiny pebbles at a series of stone pillars to symbolise casting out the devil.

Episode 4 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

As thousands of devout Muslims prepare to undertake the holy journey of Hajj, Abdul Malik explains the fourth pillar.

Kaaba | The Hidden Art of Islam

Rageh Omaar looks at why Mecca and the Ka'aba are so significant for Muslims.

Contemporary art depicting the Kaaba | The Hidden Art of Islam

Rageh Omaar explores modern art depicting the Hajj and the Ka'aba.

Episode 3 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

Hajj is the great pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken by thousands of Muslims. The third pillar, Zagat, is explained.

Episode 8 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

The pilgrims have spent a cold night out in the open in the desert at a place called Muzdalifah, between Arafat and Mina.

04: School Girls | Ramadan Diaries

Syfah is fasting for the first time, meaning she won't have any school dinners.

09: Hottest Day | Ramadan Diaries

Various Muslims speak about how hard it is during the hotter days when they aren't even allowed to drink water.

18: Great Ormond Street | Ramadan Diaries

A surgeon talks about how Ramadan affects his work.

Mosque | The Life of Muhammad

The story of the building of the first ever mosque in Medina and how it has influenced Islamic worship.

Episode 10 | Hajj: The Greatest Trip On Earth

The final day of Hajj, and for Serfraz, Kosser and their fellow pilgirms it's time to leave the tented desert city of Mina and ...

10: Homeless | Ramadan Diaries

A group of volunteers help out the homeless during Ramadan by providing meals for them.

26: Amena | Ramadan Diaries

A clothes-shop owner talks about items she has collected to celebrate Eid; the end of Ramadan.

Depicting the Hajj | The Hidden Art of Islam

Rageh Omaar looks at depictions of the Hajj in Islamic art.

03: Shubnam | Ramadan Diaries

Shubnam has lots to do in a few short hours before Ramadan begins.

12: Video Diaries: Iftar | Ramadan Diaries

Various Muslims count down to the breaking of the fast or the ''Iftar''.

08: Dr Nadeem | Ramadan Diaries

Dr Nadeem talks about his job as a GP during the month of Ramadan and his advice for his Muslim patients.

25: Pop-up Mosque | Ramadan Diaries

A Bristol pop-up Mosque is used during Ramadan as at some Islamic centre's there isn't enough room for women.

06: Aleemah | Ramadan Diaries

Converted Muslim Aleemah talks about her first Ramadan as a Muslim woman.

07: Funeral Parlour | Ramadan Diaries

Moona talks about running a funeral parlour during the busy month of Ramadan.

20: Video Diaries-Rewards | Ramadan Diaries

Various Muslims talk about what they do during Ramadan to earn special religious rewards.

21: Afghanistan | Ramadan Diaries

A British solider talks about his job at war, while fasting for Ramadan.

22: Shisha Lounge | Ramadan Diaries

Smoking shisha is a social tradition, but smoking during Ramadan is forbidden, smokers must wait until dusk.

23: Deen City Riders | Ramadan Diaries

A Muslim biker group does a charity ride to raise money for Syria.

13: Video Diaries: Salim Family | Ramadan Diaries

Mohammed Salim has 11 children and talks about how he wants them to act over Ramadan.

30: Policemen | Ramadan Diaries

Two policemen talk about how Ramadan affects their daily jobs.

Divorce | Extremely British Muslims

An example of the divorce process with the council at Birmingham Central Mosque.

Marriage | A Question of Faith

On the theme of marriage, the group are guests at a Muslim wedding to explore the value of marriage.

Introduction to Judaism | Belief File

Daniel introduces Judaism, he visits a Synagogue and discusses the Torah and Shabbat.

God and Abraham | Testament: The Bible in Animation

The story of Abraham agreeing the Covenant with God and being promised a son.

The Ten Commandments | Belief File

Jewish students tell the story of The Ten Commandments.

The Sacrifice of Isaac | Testament: The Bible in Animation

The story of Abraham agreeing to sacrifice his son Isaac to God.

The many names of God | The Story of the Jews

In Judaism, there is only one God with no face or form but many names.

Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt | Testament: The Bible in Animation

The story of Moses parting the Red Sea to lead the Jews out of Egypt.

Covenant | Belief File

Jewish students perform the story of Abraham and Isaac.

Converting to Judaism and marriage | Being...

Jolanda and Jack discuss the adaptations they made to their wedding ceremonies and Jolanda's conversion to Judaism.

Birth rituals in Judaism | Being...

Circumcision is a large part of the rituals that follow birth in Judaism, followed by the naming ceremony.

Death and mourning in Judaism | Being...

This clip explores how bodies are looked after following death and the mourning periods that follow.

Bar mitzvah | Being...

Ethan explains the different traditions involved with his bar mitzvah, including the importance of the Torah and why he is twinning with a boy who los...

Passover | The Story of the Jews

The festival of Passover is one of the most important celebrations in the Jewish calendar.

Bar-Mitzvah on Masada | Sacred Wonders

An American family travel to Masada to have their children's Bat-Mitzvah and Bar-Mitzvah.

Rosh Hashanah | Belief File

An exploration of the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year.

Yom Kippur | Belief File

An exploration of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

Pesach | Belief File

The history and traditions of the Jewish celebration of Passover.

Should there be a sacred day of rest? | Sunday Morning Live

The British Chief Rabbi explains the value of Shabbat.

Seder | Belief File

What do you eat at Seder and why?

Objects of respect and love | The Story of the Jews

Simon Schama explains the importance of the Sefer Torah to Jewish worship.

The Torah | The Story of the Jews

The Torah has a central role in Jewish worship.

Bar Mitzvah | Belief File

An exploration of the Jewish coming of age ceremony, the Bar Mitzvah.

Mishna | The Story of the Jews

The Jewish community at Sepphoris wrote the Mishna, converting oral tradition into law.

Deities and Brahman | Being...

An explanation that Hindus in fact only have one God, Brahman, but different representation of Brahman, called Deities.

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva | Belief File

In Hinduism, there is one supreme god represented in many different forms.

Afterlife and funeral rituals | Being...

Funeral rituals depend on family traditions in Hinduism.

The holy city of Varanasi | Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve

A visit to Varanasi, a holy city where many Hindus travel to die in the hope of eternal liberation.

The story of Ganesh | Belief File

The story of how Ganesha became a Hindu god and why he is such a popular one.

Law of Karma | Belief File

Young Hindus discuss their beliefs about karma and reincarnation.

Mehreen visits the Ganges of the North | Sunday Morning Live

Hindus in the UK take part in a festival celebrating the birthday of the deity Ganesh.

The Vedas | Being...

An explanation that Hindus in fact only have one God, Brahman, but different representation of Brahman, called Deities.

Krishna | Belief File

Krishna is one of the most worshiped Hindu gods.

Celebrating Diwali in London | Sacred Wonders

At the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, preparations for Diwali are taking place.

Hinduism and nature | Around the World in 80 Faiths

In Rajastan, one Hindu sect views protecting nature as their main religious duty.

Hindu Prayer | Belief File

An introduction to how Hindus worship both at home and at the temple.

Haridwar | Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve

At the town of Haridwar, Simon Reeve takes part in Hindu ceremonies celebrating the River Ganges.

Seva | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins learns about the Hindu practice of Seva, service to the community, and joins a litter-pick to protect the Ganges.

Diwali | Belief File

A look at the many ways in which Hindus celebrate the festival of Diwali.

Death in Hinduism | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins meets a woman staying in a Death Hotel in Varanasi who explains her choice to live there.

Varanasi | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins visits the city of Varanasi and learns why many Hindus go there to die.

ISKCON | Belief File

Hare Krishna devotees in Britain explain how they respect and celebrate the cows they own.

A visit to a Hindu shrine | Around the World in 80 Faiths

In the Himalayan mountains, a set of springs near the source of the Ganges form a holy site for Hindus.

Ashram | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins visits an Ashram to find out more about how the lifestyle there promotes spiritual contemplation

The Goddess Ganga | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins explains the nature of the goddesss Ganga and meets a hermit who lives in a cave close to the Ganges, who has giv...

Effigy of the Goddess Ganga | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins visits the town of Gangotri, where she takes part in the festivities surrounding the start of the pilgr...

The Beatles and Eastern Spiritualism | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins visits Rishikesh, where the Beatles journeyed to in order to meditate and receive inspiration ...

Ganga Sagar Mela | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins visits the important annual Hindu festival, Ganga Sala Mela and explains how this year the festival is promoting a...

An Ashram on the Ganges | Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve

Simon Reeve visits an ashram on the Ganges River and learns about the river's significance for Hindus.

Mourning in Varanasi | The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Sue Perkins visits a cremation ground in Varanasi where she learns about Hindu funeral rituals.

The Four Sights | Genius of the Ancient World

The story of how the Buddha left his privileged life as a prince in the Himalayas after witnessing the Four Sights.

Nirvana | Genius of the Ancient World

Through deep meditation, the Buddha achieved Enlightenment and developed the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Tibetan Buddhism | Around the World in 80 Faiths

At a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Nepal, monks explain their way of life and their key religious beliefs.

The middle way | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's idea of the Middle Way and his realisations about the nature and impermanence of the self.

Spreading the Buddha's teachings | Genius of the Ancient World

The story of how the Buddha's ideas spread through his own preaching and the creation of the first monasteries.

The path of self denial | Genius of the Ancient World

Before developing the Middle Way, the Buddha spent six years pursuing a life of self denial with other ascetics.

Responses to Samsara | Genius of the Ancient World

After leaving his life as a prince, the Buddha joined other thinkers searching for solutions to the problems of Samsara.

Changing concepts of karma | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's revelations changed the ways in which karma was viewed, giving his ideas great appeal in a changing soc...

Warrior monk exams | Sacred Wonders

Yandian, a Buddhist trainee monk, prepares for his exams at the Shaolin Monastery, China.

Painting a Buddhist stupa | Sacred Wonders

A Buddhist stupa at Kathmandu is being prepared for the Buddha's birthday with a fresh coat of paint.

Death and reincarnation | Being...

A discussion of Sikh traditions and beliefs about death.

Sikhism | Around the World in 80 Faiths

At a festival in Nanded, India, Sikhs explain their key beliefs and the history of their faith.

The 5 K's | Being...

A Sikh family explain the 5 K's of Sikhism.

Anand Karaj | Being...

A Sikh couple discuss the Anand Karaj, their Sikh marriage ceremony.

Sikh funeral | Being...

An exploration of Sikh funeral traditions.

Seva | Our Lives

A Sikh charity worker explains what led him to help the homeless population of London.

Introduction to Sikhism | My Life, My Religion

An introduction to the most fundamental beliefs and practices of Sikhism.

Guru Nanak and the boulder | My Life, My Religion

A Sikh teacher tells a story from the life of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru, and explains what it teaches.

Langar | The Selfless Sikh: Faith on the Frontline

A Sikh charity worker helps a charity supporting Yazidi refugees escaping from persecution.

Guru Granth Sahib | My Life, My Religion

A Sikh child explains the role of the Guru Granth Sahib in Sikh worship and the way in which it is treated by Sikhs.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji 550th birthday | Newsround

In 2019, Sikhs all over the world celebrated 550 years since the birth of Guru Nanak. But who was he?

Awakening | The Selfless Sikh: Faith on the Frontline

A Sikh charity worker explains how the loss of a close friend led to his religious awakening and life of service.

Sarbat da Bhala | The Selfless Sikh: Faith on the Frontline

A Sikh charity worker explains how his faith has inspired him to help others.

A feast at the Golden Temple | Sacred Wonders

At the Golden Temple in Amritsar, volunteers prepare food for thousands of worshippers celebrating Vaisakhi.

Vaisakhi in Amritsar | Sacred Wonders

The Sikh festival of Vaisakhi in Amritsar.

Naming ceremony | Being...

A Sikh family discuss the importance of the Sikh naming ceremony.

The Five Ks | My Life, My Religion

A Sikh child explains the meaning behind the five Ks worn by Sikhs.

The origins of Vaisakhi | The Story of Vaisakhi

A look at the origins of the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi and the key beliefs of Sikhism.

The Khalsa | My Life, My Religion

The story behind the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh.

Sewa | The Story of Vaisakhi

A look at the Sikh tradition of langar and the charitable works that it has inspired.

Gurdwara | My Life, My Religion

What does it mean to be a Sikh? 11-year-old Simran explains her religion of Sikhism.

The Five Ks | The Story of Vaisakhi

Guru Gobind Singh established the idea that Sikhs should observe the Five Ks, which embody the idea of the Saint Soldier.

Vaisakhi Celebrations | The Story of Vaisakhi

In Britain, celebrations of the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi have grown in size and popularity.

Vaisakhi | My Life, My Religion

Vaisakhi, which celebrates the creation of the Khalsa, is one of the most important Sikh festivals.