Cuir Ceist (Ask the Question)

Cuir Ceist is part of a collection of Gaelic language websites for children aged 7-11. Other resources suitable for second level include:


Cuir Ceist has five games designed to develop and deepen understanding of the role and impact of religion, encourage reflection and provide opportunities for spiritual development.

The emphasis is on Christianity but the site includes input from Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism and it also gives some secular perspectives where appropriate.

The game does not ask a player to choose a religion or choose between religions, but rather to understand and consider the values which different religions have.

Cuir Ceist promotes the Principles and Practice outlined within Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) for Religious and Moral Education (RME). Learning through Cuir Ceist enables young people to:

learn about and from the beliefs, values, practices and traditions of Christianity and the world religions selected for study, other traditions, and viewpoints independent of religious belief. The challenges provide opportunities for the learners to recognise religion as an important expression of human experience. This can also provide a catalyst to explore and develop knowledge and understanding of religions, recognising the place of Christianity in the Scottish context and to investigate and understand the responses which religious and non-religious views can offer to questions about the nature and meaning of life.

Cuir Ceist is designed to encourage the user to reflect on the information and try to make sense of it in the contexts used and in the wider contexts relevant to them. There is also potential for some personalisation and choice where learners can investigate relevant contexts in more breadth or depth.

Challenges
There are five challenges:
• Cuairt tron Choille (Walk in the Woods)
• Bochdainn is Beairteas (Rags and Riches)
• Air a' Chladach (Seaside Special)
• Baile Fàs (Derelict Town)
• Truailleadh sa Bhaile (Spillage in the Village)

The activities will help you to:
• identify key religious values connected with the natural world
• understand about responsibility for the planet and how it can be shared
• understand about what some religions say about the place of humans in the world e.g. their specialness or uniqueness.

Playing the game
There are two modes of play for you to choose. Both allow you to attempt the challenges in any order.

Challenge mode
Wander around the different locations to find the different characters.

Text mode
Play the game using the text only without having to wander around the different locations in search of the characters. This is designed to be easier to use for those who are blind, visually impaired, or use a keyboard to navigate. However, it can be used by anyone.

Choose your character
You can build your character that will appear in the game.

Choose mentor
The mentor is your guide throughout Cuir Ceist and is available to help out if you get stuck.

Moving around
You can move around the games by clicking on the square that you want to move to. To talk with the characters, click on the light blue square next to them.

Characters
In each challenge you will meet a character who has a particular question about the world. Your task is to find the answer to the question by talking to all the other characters in the challenge. These characters will have a religious perspective on the matter which is being discussed. Then, return to the questioner and who will give you a reward when he or she is happy that you have answered their question.

In order to complete the challenge you need to talk to a character called the Gatekeeper. It's only by talking to the Gatekeeper that you can get through a barrier and complete the challenge. This character is primarily designed to help you to reflect on what you've learnt and apply it to your own experience and your understanding of religion.

Glossary of terminology featured on the site.
Download and print the 'Glossary'

Audio and visual help
You can click on the 'Roghainnean' button to:
• resize on-screen text and change text and background colours
• hear on-screen text being read out
• make captions available for most video and audio content.

These preferences are not accessible while you are in the Information section.

You can also navigate most content using the keyboard.

Cuairt tron Choille (A Walk in the Woods)

How valuable do you think the world is? What do people who believe in God have to say about looking after the environment?

This challenge raises the following key questions:
• How do some people who believe in God value the natural world?
• How do they express those values?
• How valuable do you think the world is?
• How do your ideas about the natural world affect the way you live?

These fundamental questions relate to the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence, in particular, being responsible citizens and effective contributors. Opportunities to explore these terms in practice and how they are reflected in our society could be developed.

> Play Cuairt tron Choille

The Characters
In order to progress you will need to talk to the characters all the way through, without walking away in the middle.

You will come across the following people:

Artist
The artist poses the question: How do people who believe in God value the natural world? Why? How do they express those values?

Park Ranger (Christian)
The park ranger values the natural world because she believes that God created it, and therefore it is good; she believes that human beings have a God-given responsibility for the rest of creation. She expresses these values through prayers at Rogationtide and through Harvest Festival.

Fishing Boy (Jew)
This fishing boy expresses the view that Jews are commanded by God, the creator, in the Torah, to 'use and protect' (Gen 2:15) the natural world, that humans 'have dominion' (Gen 1:26) over it and have a responsibility for conservation. These beliefs are expressed in practice by offering blessings and observing the Torah, by following the sabbatical principal and in festivals such as Tu b'Shevat and Sukkot.

Sunbather
Boy Skimming Stones
Woman Munching Sandwiches
These three characters are 'distractor' characters. Talking to them will not help you to complete the challenge, but they will raise connected questions of looking after the world which you may want to consider.

Examples of conversations featured in Cuairt tron Choille.
Download the 'Cuairt tron Choille' printout

Hints and Tips
Visit the characters in the following order:
1. the artist in order to find out what his question is
2. the fishing boy and the park ranger (in any order)
3. the artist again - you need to give the artist the correct answers to his questions in order to get the reward
4. the gatekeeper, standing by the river.

Once you have the reward, if you complete the conversation with the gatekeeper he can let you cross the river and you can return to the main menu.

Bochdainn is Beairteas (Rags and Riches)

Why do some people live on the streets, while others eat in fancy restaurants? What do people do to try and help people in poverty? What could you do?

This challenge raises the following key questions:
• What are the things that people really need?
• Why are the world's natural resources so unequally divided?
• Is there any point in sharing?
• What do members of faith communities do about the inequalities?

This activity provides opportunities for philosophical discussions and for developing critical thinking skills. Aspects of language and literacy skills can also be a possible focus, through developing a reasonable viewpoint or argument for or against a stance. The following activities can all be developed in an inter-disciplinary learning context by looking at the issues at a local level, investigating the issues within their local contexts as well as on a more global scale.

> Play Bochdainn is Beairteas

The Characters
You will need to talk to the characters all the way through, without walking away in the middle, in order to progress.

You will come across the following people:

Big Issue Seller
The 'Big Issue' seller asks why is there inequality in the world. What do people do about it?

Journalist (Jew)
The journalist recounts his experiences of the Edinburgh 'Make Poverty History' rally and shows that the campaign is about justice and that this approach achieves a lifelong difference for those in poverty. He feels that it is important to establish justice because it is a teaching from the Torah.

Christian Aid Volunteer (Christian)
This character offers the perspective that people of many religious and humanist perspectives are working together to meet the needs of all human beings, and that every little action by an individual can contribute to the relief of poverty. She has a calling to work for God in encouraging people to tackle injustice and poverty.

Elderly Surgeon (Muslim)
This character believes that Muslims have an obligation to respond to the inequalities of the world. He believes that the actions of individuals of the Muslim community help them to understand and respond to these inequalities by sharing the benefits. He explains how zakah and ramadan support these beliefs.

Man in the Big Car
Chef
Posh Woman
Homeless Man
These four characters are 'distractor' characters. Talking to them will not help you to complete the challenge, but they may raise connected questions of inequality and helping those in poverty, which you may want to consider.

Examples of conversations featured in Bochdainn is Beairteas.
Download the 'Bochdainn is Beairteas' printout

Hints and Tips
Visit the characters in the following order:
1. the 'Big Issue' seller to find out what his question is
2. the Christian Aid volunteer, the journalist having a coffee and the elderly surgeon (in any order)
3. the 'Big Issue' Seller again. You need to give the 'Big Issue' seller the correct answers to his questions to get the reward
4. The Gatekeeper, standing by the bus.

Once you have the reward, if you complete the conversation with the Gatekeeper he can let you cross the river and you can return to the menu.

Using the issue of inequality, this activity enables the learners to develop the skills of reflection, discernment, critical thinking and deciding how to act when making moral decisions.

Air a' Chladach (Seaside Special)

Why do people look after the environment? What do they do to improve the planet? What could you do?

This challenge raises the following key questions:
• What can I learn from the ways people show concern for the environment?
• How do members of faith communities take action? Why?
• What can I do to improve the environment?

> Play Air a' Chladach

The Characters
You will need to talk to the characters all the way through, without walking away in the middle, in order to progress.

You will come across the following people:

School Crossing Patrol Officer
The school crossing patrol officer has noticed that people are very interested in ensuring that the planet is in good shape for the future generation. Why? Why should they bother about looking after the world?

Woman in the Quiet Garden (Christian)
This woman presents the perspective that members of various faith communities, basing their beliefs on their religious teaching, recognise the sanctity of the earth, want to care for it and gain inspiration from it.

Organic Farmer (Christian)
This character is taking action because of his personal belief that God asks people to look after the world. He explains that some people show respect for the environment by trying to buy fair trade items and using the earth's resources responsibly.

Hare Krishna Follower
The Hare Krishna follower explains his belief in Krishna, and his belief that humans should take only what they need from the world. He believes that Krishna teaches him that the earth should be respected.

Fisherman
Woman Selling Jam
Cat
Skateboarder
These four characters are 'distractor' characters. Talking to them will not help you to complete the challenge, but they may raise connected questions of how people act to look after the world, which you may want to consider.

Examples of conversations featured in Air a' Chladach.
Download the 'Air a' Chladach' printout

Hints and Tips
Visit the characters in the following order:
1. the school crossing patrol officer to find out what her question is
2. the woman on the bench, the organic farmer, the Hare Krishna follower (in any order)
3. the school crossing patrol officer again you need to give the school crossing patrol officer the correct answers to her questions in order to get the reward
4. the gatekeeper, standing by the gate to the cliff top path.

Once you have the reward, if you complete the conversation with the gatekeeper he can let you cross the river and you can return to the menu.

Baile Fàs (Derelict Town)

Why do people make such a mess of the environment?

This challenge raises the following key question:
• Why do human beings make such a mess of the planet?

Learners are encouraged to practice their higher order questioning skills to raise further questions for use in discussion with peers and for possible debate.

> Play Baile Fàs

The Characters
You will need to talk to the characters all the way through, without walking away in the middle, in order to progress.

You will come across the following people:

Woman in the Car Seat
In talking to this character, you are challenged to find an explanation of why such a beautiful world has got into such a state and whether there are any people who want to do something about it. Do people's religious beliefs make a difference to their attitudes to the environment? What are they doing? What can she do? What can you do?

Vicar (Christian)
This character believes that God created the world and gave people responsibility for it. Humans have spoilt God's creation because of their tendency to be tempted and go their own way, rather than God's way. Humans have the opportunity to put things right because God always gives people another chance.

Woman Cleaning Up Litter (Jew)
This character explains that the entire concept of the stewardship of the world is important to Jews; human beings must look after what they have and prevent damage. She covers the concept of Tikkun Olam (healing the world), which is mainly about social justice but includes care for the environment.

Man with Clipboard (Muslim)
This character explains that Muslims must exercise responsibility in managing the world and live in accordance with Allah's will. Muslims are called to live a life of submission to Allah and the way that they respond determines their destiny.

Man Loading Boxes
Man with the Spray Can
Old Fisherman
These three characters are 'distractor' characters. Talking to them will not help you to complete the challenge, but they may raise connected questions of how people respond to human mistreatment of the world, which you may want to consider.

Examples of conversations featured in Baile Fàs.
Download the 'Baile Fàs' printout

Hints and Tips
Visit the characters in the following order:
1. the woman in the car seat on the beach to find out what her question is
2. the Islamic Relief worker, the vicar and the woman picking up litter on the beach (in any order)
3. the woman in the car seat on the beach again. You need to give the woman in the car seat the correct answers to her questions in order to get the reward
4. the gatekeeper, standing by the road works.

Once you have the reward, if you complete the conversation with the gatekeeper he can let you cross the river and you can return to the main menu.

Truailleadh sa Bhaile (Spillage in the Village)

Why do people believe in God? What do they believe about God? Does it annoy God when people spoil the world?

This challenge raises the following key question:
• What and why do people believe in God?
• If God made the world, does it annoy God when humans spoil it?
• What do Christians, Jews and Muslims hold in common about their beliefs in God and how do they differ?
• What questions do you have about believing in God?

> Play Truailleadh sa Bhaile

The Characters
You will need to talk to the characters all the way through, without walking away in the middle, in order to progress.

You will come across the following people:

Television Director
The television director asks, if God created such a beautiful world, why do such terrible things happen? How do such events affect people's relationship with God? Why do people believe in God?

Cameraman (Christian)
This character believes that God has made the world, and that human beings often spoil it. They have to learn to make good use of the natural world and its resources. He believes that when they recognise the error of their ways, they may ask God's forgiveness, which God always gives if they are truly sorry.

Botanist (Jew)
This character accepts that this world is essentially benign. How does God react? Who knows? He believes that what is important is that humans live the best and most responsible life they can. They should leave the world a better place than they found it.

Journalist (Muslim)
This character accepts that the world is a result of the creation by Allah and that there are imperfect aspects in human experience. Human beings do spoil Allah's beautiful creation and they will have to answer for their actions. She believes that a person is judged at the end of life and will go to paradise or hell depending on the actions performed in their lifetime.

Television Presenter Soundman Beaver
These three characters are 'distractor' characters. Talking to them will not help you to complete the challenge, but they may raise connected questions of how people respond to or are affected by human mistreatment of the world, which you may want to consider.

Examples of conversations featured in Truailleadh sa Bhaile.
Download the 'Truailleadh sa Bhaile' printout

Hints and Tips
Visit the characters in the following order:
1. the TV director - to find out what his question is
2. the cameraman, the journalist sitting on the bench and the botanist standing in the water (in any order)
3. the TV director again - they need to give the TV director the correct answers to his questions in order to get the reward
4. the gatekeeper, standing by the house.

Once you have the reward, if you complete the conversation with the gatekeeper he can let you cross the river and you can return to the menu.