AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

The change in inherited characteristics of populations over many generations, which can lead to the development of different species.

Interest charges that impose an unfair burden on borrowers and can make their debts very difficult to repay.

Permission not to carry out a religious duty in specified circumstances.

Latin for 'out of nothing': the Catholic teaching that God did not need pre-existing materials to create the universe.

The departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under Moses' leadership; also the name of the Torah book containing this account.

The casting out of an evil or unclean spirit believed to possess a person.

Taking unfair advantage of someone for another person's benefit.

A family including relatives beyond parents and children, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles. Members may live together or separately.

Worth that something has because of its usefulness or the benefits it provides.

An account given by someone who personally saw an event.

Intensive farming that keeps large numbers of animals, often indoors with limited space and freedom.

Payment that fairly rewards a person’s work, taking account of their needs and the circumstances of their employment.

Trust in God or in Jesus’ power and willingness to help.

Teaching children religious beliefs, practices and values so that they learn how to live within a religious tradition.

Remaining loyal to a partner and keeping the commitments made within a relationship.

A deliberately untrue statement.

Untrue evidence given against someone. Mark describes the witnesses’ accusation about Jesus destroying the Temple as false testimony.

A group of people related by blood, marriage or adoption.

Planning whether and when to have children, and how many children to have.

Abstaining from food and drink for a set period as a religious practice.

A religious occasion marked by worship and shared observances, often including celebration.

Remaining loyal to a partner and keeping the commitments of the relationship, including sexual faithfulness.

Providing food for a person in need, or money for that food, in place of fasting where a valid exemption applies and the person cannot make up the fast.

The universal judgement of humanity by Christ at the end of the world, confirming each person’s particular judgement.

An argument for God’s existence which reasons that the chain of causes explaining the universe must depend on an original, uncaused cause, identified as God.

The five changing aspects that make up a person: form, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness. They are also called skandhas.

The five articles maintained by initiated Sikhs: kesh, kanga, kara, kachera and kirpan. They express Sikh identity and religious responsibilities.