AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

A Muslim observance especially significant to Shi’a Muslims as a commemoration of Husayn’s martyrdom; many Sunni Muslims observe it through voluntary fasting.

Helping someone to take their own life, for example by providing the means; the person themselves performs the final act.

The path towards union with the divine through meditation and disciplined control of the mind and senses; also called raja yoga.

Belief that God does not exist.

A person who does not believe that God or gods exist.

The eternal soul or true self, distinct from the physical body.

The restoration of the relationship between humanity and God through Jesus’s death.

Clinging to people, possessions or experiences as though they could provide permanent security or satisfaction.

A dependence on possessions that makes someone unwilling to give them up, even when they obstruct commitment to God.

A sacred sound, also written as om, associated with the origin of the universe and used in meditation.

The recognised right or power to guide beliefs, judgements or behaviour.

A person's ability and right to make decisions about their own life and body.

A divine descent or incarnation: a deity taking living form in the world, often to restore dharma. Also called an avatar.

Spiritual ignorance: misunderstanding the true nature of the self and ultimate reality.

A feeling of deep respect and amazement at something perceived as magnificent or powerful.

The Sikh celebration of Guru Hargobind’s release from imprisonment with 52 other prisoners, observed at Divali; its name means ‘prisoner release day’.

A Christian ritual using water which marks entry into the Christian community and expresses new life in faith.

In Tibetan Buddhism, an intermediate state between death and the next rebirth.

‘Son of the commandments’: the status of a Jewish boy who becomes responsible for observing Jewish religious law at 13, also used for the ceremony celebrating this.

The state between a person’s death and resurrection on the Day of Judgement.

‘Daughter of the commandments’: the status of a Jewish girl who becomes responsible for observing Jewish religious law, traditionally at 12, also used for the ceremony celebrating this.

Producing the results of accepting God’s message, such as faithful living and sharing the message with others.

Baptism of someone who can personally profess Christian faith and choose to be baptised, usually involving full immersion in water.

Goodness, generosity and loving kindness; Muslims believe Allah provides life, care and guidance.

Being loving and good; a quality Christians attribute to God.

All-loving or perfectly good. Believers may interpret healing and rescue miracles as evidence of God’s care.

The family, friends and others who are grieving because someone has died.