AQA GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

The Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, required once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able to undertake it.

Jewish law: the rules and guidance through which Jewish teachings and commandments are applied to everyday life.

A ceremony marking the separation of Shabbat from the ordinary week, using blessings, wine, spices and a multi-wicked candle.

A state of eternal happiness and communion with God.

In Catholic teaching, a state of eternal separation from God resulting from freely rejecting him.

The structure of different levels of authority and responsibility within the Church.

The extent to which an account can be trusted to describe past events accurately.

The question of whether an event described in an account actually happened in history.

Receiving the consecrated bread and wine in the Eucharist; Catholics believe that they receive Christ himself.

A war fought in the belief that it is commanded or supported by God, or serves a religious purpose.

Prejudice, hostility or discrimination against people because they are gay, lesbian or bisexual.

An expression meaning ‘save now’, used as an appeal and a shout of praise by the crowd welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem.

The shared characteristics and experiences of human life, including the capacity for love and cooperation as well as anger, selfishness and wrongdoing.

The inherent worth of every person, which does not depend on income, status or ability.

A non-religious approach to life that uses reason and evidence to understand the world, and empathy and concern for wellbeing to guide ethical decisions.

A person whose non-religious outlook emphasises reason, human wellbeing and ethical responsibility.

A fundamental entitlement belonging to every person simply because they are human.

A form of exploitation linked to modern slavery, in which people are exploited for profit, for example through forced labour or sexual exploitation.

Recognising dependence on God rather than treating personal status or achievements as grounds for superiority.

Worship of Allah, including religious duties and everyday actions carried out in obedience to him.

A fish-shaped Christian symbol expressing the statement ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour’.

The worship of idols or other gods instead of the one God.

The Muslim Festival of Sacrifice, recalling Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.

The Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan, whose name means ‘festival of breaking the fast’.

The meal with which Muslims break their daily fast at sunset.

The sacred state entered by a pilgrim, involving restrictions on behaviour and simple clothing.

The Christian belief that human beings are created in God’s image and therefore possess inherent dignity.