AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

An approach to justice that seeks to repair the harm caused by wrongdoing through communication, responsibility and making amends.

Jesus rising from the dead after his crucifixion.

Taking action against someone in response to harm or an attack they have caused.

A period spent away from everyday routines to concentrate on prayer, reflection and spiritual growth.

Punishment imposed because an offender deserves to be punished for the wrong they have committed.

The making known of something previously hidden; in religion, the disclosure of knowledge about God or the divine.

An Islamic term commonly understood to include interest on loans, which Islam prohibits.

Anger directed at injustice or wrongdoing rather than personal revenge. In Christianity, it can express a desire to restore justice in accordance with God’s will.

Living rightly in relation to God and God’s will. Jesus contrasts ‘the righteous’ with ‘sinners’ when explaining whom he has come to call.

The aim of protecting people and restoring peace, rather than seeking revenge or personal gain.

Prophethood: Allah’s appointment of human beings to receive and communicate his guidance.

A ceremony marking an important stage or change in a person’s life, such as baptism, marriage or a funeral.

A religious action or ceremony performed in an established way to express beliefs and mark significant occasions.

A commandment concerned directly with the relationship between a person and God, such as worshipping God alone or keeping Shabbat.

Being religiously clean according to Jewish law. Ritual uncleanness could restrict participation in worship and contact with others; it was not necessarily a result of moral wrongdoing.

A religious status under Jewish law that restricted participation in worship and community life; it did not necessarily imply wrongdoing.

A Catholic prayer practice combining set prayers with reflection on events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, often using beads to count the prayers.

The Jewish New Year festival, commemorating creation and beginning a period of reflection, judgement and repentance.

A special cloth used to cover the Guru Granth Sahib respectfully.

The Jewish weekly day of rest and worship, observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday.

The fifth and final stage of Sikh spiritual development: truth, involving complete union with God; a spiritual state rather than a physical place.

A Christian ceremony understood to convey God’s grace; the Catholic Church regards marriage as a sacrament.

The belief that the material world can reveal and communicate God’s presence and love.

A religious celebration that recalls sacred events or teachings and expresses beliefs through worship and shared activities.

Giving up something valued, such as possessions, opportunities or personal comfort, for a greater purpose.

Giving that involves a real personal cost, rather than giving only what can easily be spared.

Voluntary charitable giving in Islam, additional to obligatory giving.