AQA GCSE Religious Studies key terms

A form of polygamy in which a man has more than one wife at the same time.

The belief that Allah has already decreed everything that will happen; in Islam this is called al-Qadr.

A Christian religious leader authorised to carry out duties such as leading worship and administering sacraments.

The challenge of explaining why evil and suffering exist if God is all-powerful and all-loving.

Having children through reproduction.

The land of Canaan promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, understood in Judaism as a homeland connected with their covenant with God.

A person who communicates God’s message to people.

The principle that the force used in war must not be excessive in relation to its justified aim.

Force that is limited in relation to the threat or harm being addressed, rather than excessive.

An action or campaign expressing opposition to a decision, law, policy or situation.

The revelation given by Allah to Dawud (David), known in Arabic as the Zabur and associated with prayers and songs of praise.

A realm associated with a Buddha, free from the suffering and distractions that obstruct enlightenment. Amitabha’s Pure Land is called Sukhavati, the ‘land of bliss’.

Islam’s central holy book, believed by Muslims to contain Allah’s direct, unaltered words revealed to Muhammad.

A realistic prospect that military action will achieve its just aim, rather than waste lives in a hopeless attempt.

The arising of another life after death, conditioned by kamma, without an unchanging soul passing from one body to another.

Restoring relationships between people or groups after conflict.

Deliverance from suffering or oppression; in beliefs about the Messianic Age, the hoped-for transformation towards peace and justice.

A source of shelter and guidance. Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.

A person who has fled their country to seek safety from persecution or conflict.

A sense of belonging to a religious community, which may also be connected with family, culture and national identity.

In this topic, marrying again after divorce while a former spouse is still alive.

Giving up worldly possessions and attachments to pursue a spiritual life.

Sincerely recognising and regretting wrongdoing and turning away from it.

The raising of the dead to life. Traditional Jewish belief includes the restoration of bodily life, not simply the continued existence of the soul.

Responding to harm or an attack by taking action against those responsible.

God’s communication of divine truth to human beings, including messages given to prophets.

The requirement that war should aim to establish justice and lasting peace, not satisfy hatred, greed or revenge.