AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

The first book of the Bible, containing two accounts of creation. Its name means 'beginnings'.

A person who is not Jewish.

The place near Jerusalem where Jesus prayed and was arrested, as described in Mark 14:32–52.

Steps leading down to a river; some are used for bathing and others for cremation.

The second stage of Sikh spiritual development: knowledge or wisdom, involving greater awareness of God and the unity of creation. Also spelt Gyan Khand.

The long-term rise in Earth's average temperature, increased by greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Using God to explain something because a natural explanation is currently unknown.

The first person of the Trinity, understood as the creator and sustainer of the universe and a loving parent.

The second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is God in human form.

The principle of treating other people as you would wish to be treated.

The place where Jesus was crucified; its name means “place of a skull”.

Krishna’s eternal spiritual abode, where devotees enjoy loving, personal relationships with him.

A Tibetan Buddhist hall used for meditation or learning; the word can also refer to a monastery containing these spaces.

Something considered morally right, such as acting with compassion or helping someone in need.

A shelter where cows are protected and cared for, including when they are old.

The good news about Jesus and the salvation offered through him.

God's freely given blessing, on which spiritual fulfilment depends; it cannot be earned through human effort alone.

A person who reads and attends to the Guru Granth Sahib and may lead ceremonies; not an ordained priest.

Jesus’ instruction to his followers to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19).

The inner struggle to live rightly and follow God's will in Islam.

An excessive desire to acquire more wealth or possessions.

The words or teachings of the Sikh Gurus, expressed in sacred compositions.

The Sikh place of worship, where the Guru Granth Sahib is present and the community gathers.

A person whose life is centred on God and guided by the Guru’s teachings rather than self-centred desires.

A festival commemorating an event associated with a Sikh Guru, such as a birthday or martyrdom.

A spiritual teacher or guide; in Sikhism, the title refers to the ten human Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Guru.

The tenth Sikh Guru, who established the Khalsa and gave Sikh men and women the names Singh and Kaur.