AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

God’s will or divine order, according to which a gurmukh seeks to live.

The inherent worth of every human being, which means each person deserves respectful treatment.

Human weakness and vulnerability, which can cause people to fail to act according to their beliefs or intentions.

A non-religious approach to life that uses reason, evidence and concern for others to guide decisions and promote human wellbeing.

Emergency assistance intended to save lives, reduce suffering and protect people's dignity during a crisis.

The duty to make moral choices and take ownership of how one acts.

A basic freedom or protection to which every person is entitled simply because they are human.

The basic freedoms and protections to which every person is entitled simply because they are human.

The feelings, attractions and ways in which people express themselves as sexual beings.

An attitude of not placing your own importance or status above other people’s needs.

An act of worship or service to Allah; worship can include everyday actions as well as formal religious duties.

The Muslim Festival of Sacrifice, remembering Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.

The Muslim festival of breaking the fast, marking the end of Ramadan.

The evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan.

The sacred state entered by pilgrims for Hajj, associated with ritual preparation, special clothing and restrictions on behaviour.

The opening expression of the Mool Mantra, meaning that there is one God.

The Christian belief that humans are created in God's likeness and therefore possess dignity and value.

The Christian teaching that humans are made in God’s image and have a distinctive relationship with God.

A Muslim prayer leader; the term can also refer to a religious leader within a Muslim community.

The Shi’a belief in the authority of divinely appointed Imams who guide the Muslim community after Muhammad.

The presence and activity of God within the world.

Present and active within the world.

Living for ever rather than being subject to death.

The belief that the soul continues to exist after the physical body dies.

An understanding of the divine as a reality or power without personal characteristics, rather than a being who enters relationships with individuals.

The Christian belief that God became human in Jesus.

Welcoming people and allowing them to share in a community’s care and benefits rather than excluding them because of their background.