AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

Not based on religious belief or religious authority.

The ritual meal at Pesach in which the Exodus story is retold through readings, symbolic foods and actions.

The ability to govern one's desires, emotions and actions rather than being ruled by them.

Protecting yourself or others against an attack.

Putting faithfulness to Jesus and the needs of others before selfish desires and personal advantage.

The ability to control desires and actions rather than immediately giving in to them.

The ability to meet one's needs through one's own resources or livelihood rather than relying on continuing aid.

The feelings that arise through sense experience, such as pleasant, unpleasant or neutral feelings.

Able to experience feelings such as pain, pleasure or distress.

A talk explaining religious teachings, often based on a Bible passage, and their relevance to believers’ lives.

Acting to meet other people’s needs rather than seeking personal power or recognition.

A prayer with established words, often learned and repeated by believers.

Selfless service to others, expressing Sikh commitment to God and the good of humanity.

Selfless service in Sikhism, which can involve physical work, mental service or using wealth to help others.

Having a sexual relationship before getting married; also called premarital sex.

Sexual behaviour that causes harm or involves betrayal or exploitation, such as adultery.

A person's pattern of sexual attraction, for example towards people of the same sex, another sex or more than one sex.

The Jewish weekly day of rest, from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday.

The Muslim declaration of faith: there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

A Hindu tradition that worships Shiva as supreme.

Islamic law and guidance based on sources including the Qur’an and the teachings and example of Muhammad.

The prescribed Jewish method of slaughtering permitted mammals and birds, carried out by a trained slaughterer.

God’s divine presence dwelling among people or within the world; the name comes from a Hebrew word meaning ‘dwelling’ or ‘settling’.

A Jewish declaration of faith beginning ‘Hear, O Israel’, affirming that God is one and calling for wholehearted love of God.

An ancient Jewish concept of a shadowy realm of the dead, sometimes understood as a waiting place before resurrection or judgement.

Associating partners with Allah or worshipping anything other than Allah; it contradicts Tawhid and is considered the gravest sin in Islam.

The traditional seven-day period of intensive mourning following a Jewish burial.