New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Censorship and freedom of religious expression

I can explain Christian teachings and responses to freedom of religious expression, censorship and extremism.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Censorship and freedom of religious expression

I can explain Christian teachings and responses to freedom of religious expression, censorship and extremism.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Freedom to express religious beliefs is a legal right recognised in many countries.
  2. Censorship controls what people are allowed to access or express in public life.
  3. Extremist views often threaten others' dignity and safety by rejecting their rights.
  4. Christians believe in sharing their faith freely and usually reject extremist behaviour.
  5. While Christians may back censorship to reduce harm, they oppose it when it unjustly targets religious expression.

Keywords

  • Censorship - when an authority such as the government or a media company controls or limits what people can see, read, hear or say

  • Extremism - holding radical views that reject others’ rights or promote hatred

  • Freedom of religious expression - the right to freely practise religion without discrimination or punishment; e.g. being allowed space or time to pray in the workplace

Common misconception

Religious freedom means Christians never face challenges or restrictions today.

Religious freedom is protected by law in the UK, but in the worldwide community and the UK Christians can still face censorship, legal cases, or public pressure.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Censorship and freedom of religious expression, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use short, factual case summaries regarding restrictions to freedom of religious expression both worldwide and in the UK to help students see that this topic is not just historical.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Personal conviction is a deeply held that influences actions.
Correct Answer: belief, Belief
Q2.
According to Christian teaching, the law should be followed unless ...
it limits free speech
it causes inconvenience
Correct answer: it contradicts God's will
Q3.
Many Christians believe conscience helps them make decisions.
Correct Answer: moral, Moral
Q4.
What did Bonhoeffer do in response to Nazi rule?
Correct answer: opposed it based on his Christian beliefs
supported the regime
stayed silent
Q5.
Some Christians believe that faith may require civil when laws are unjust.
Correct Answer: disobedience, Disobedience

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Match each key term to its meaning.
Correct Answer:censorship,is when an authority controls or limits what people can see

is when an authority controls or limits what people can see

Correct Answer:extremism,holding radical views that reject others’ rights or promote hatred

holding radical views that reject others’ rights or promote hatred

Correct Answer:freedom of religious expression,is the right to freely practise religion without discrimination

is the right to freely practise religion without discrimination

Q2.
The freedom to express religious beliefs is a recognised legal in many countries.
Correct Answer: right, Right
Q3.
Censorship may involve ...
inviting more opinions
providing more platforms
Correct answer: banning books or religious materials
Q4.
What is a danger of extremist beliefs?
Correct answer: inspiring hatred and discrimination
encouraging education
promoting moral values
Q5.
Despite legal protection, some Christians may still face ...
no public scrutiny
political promotions
Correct answer: censorship or legal challenges