AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

The belief that God guided the writers of biblical texts through the Holy Spirit.

God’s assessment of a person’s actions, associated with responsibility, reward and punishment.

The Orthodox Christian worship service in which the Eucharist is celebrated.

An expression for God’s presence within a person; it does not mean a literal physical spark.

A title used in John’s Gospel for the eternal Son of God, who reveals God and became human in Jesus.

The legal ending of a marriage.

The Hindu festival of lights, associated with good overcoming evil, light overcoming darkness and knowledge overcoming ignorance.

Human authority over the natural world, including animals. Christians differ over how this authority should be exercised.

The principle that a good action may be permissible despite a foreseen harmful effect, provided the harm is not intended or used to achieve the good and there is a proportionately serious reason.

Personal prayer or supplication to Allah, rather than the prescribed ritual of salah.

The belief that a human being has both a physical body and a distinct soul.

Suffering, dissatisfaction or unsatisfactoriness, including physical pain, mental distress and the inability of impermanent experiences to provide lasting fulfilment.

The Christian festival celebrating Jesus’ resurrection; the celebrations around it also remember his suffering and death.

Efforts by different Christian denominations to develop closer relationships, understanding and unity.

Eight interconnected practices through which Buddhists develop wisdom, ethical conduct and mental discipline to overcome suffering.

The bread and wine used in Holy Communion.

Immediate, short-term assistance, such as food, water, shelter and healthcare following a disaster.

Trying to understand another person’s feelings and situation.

Sustained effort and determination in Buddhist practice and doing good; also called virya.

A sudden realisation of religious truth or spiritual awakening that brings a deeper understanding of God or ultimate reality.

The belief that a developing human receives a soul. Many Muslims associate this with 120 days after conception.

The surroundings in which living things exist, including natural and human-made surroundings.

The equal worth of every person, meaning that everyone deserves respect rather than being regarded as inferior because of their gender.

The principle that all people have equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities.

Life with God that continues beyond death; the rich man asks Jesus how he can inherit it.

Principles concerning how people should behave and what makes actions right or wrong.

The Christian celebration recalling Jesus’ Last Supper, using bread and wine; also called Holy Communion.