Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

A Christian description of the family as a small community in which faith, prayer and love are practised, particularly used in Catholic teaching.

Human authority over other living creatures; in Jewish ethics, this authority carries responsibilities and does not give permission for cruelty.

Jesus Christ’s two natures, divine and human, united in one person without being mixed or divided.

Suffering, dissatisfaction or the unsatisfactoriness of life in Buddhist teaching.

Ordinary physical or mental suffering, such as illness, injury or grief.

An approach to ethics that judges actions by duties or moral principles, rather than only by their results.

A Hindu school of thought associated with Madhva which teaches dualism: the individual soul and God remain eternally distinct.

The Christian festival celebrating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Concerned with cooperation and unity between different Christian Churches or denominations.

A gathering of bishops representing the wider Church to address matters of belief and Church life.

Co-operation between different Christian denominations, seeking greater understanding and unity.

An authoritative order or ruling.

Something that brings about an effect or brings something into existence.

The Christian belief that men and women have equal worth and may share authority and responsibilities, rather than having family roles fixed by sex.

Eight interconnected aspects of Buddhist training in understanding, intention, conduct and mental discipline, leading towards nibbana.

A person's need for love, closeness, trust and emotional security.

Understanding and sharing another person's feelings.

Evidence obtained through observation or experience that can be investigated and checked.

An approach to knowledge that emphasises observation and experience as evidence.

The teaching that things lack an independent, permanent nature; it does not mean that nothing exists.

A letter issued by a pope teaching about matters of faith or morality.

An approach that applies Buddhist teachings to social problems through practical, peaceful action.

Spiritual awakening or deep understanding. In Sikhism, it involves awareness of the One, overcoming self-conceit and living through the Guru's guidance.

The entering of the soul into the developing human body; a common Muslim interpretation places this at 120 days after conception.

Protecting and improving the natural world, including animals, plants, rivers and the habitats on which living beings depend.

The equal worth of every human person, which Catholics understand as coming from being created in the image of God.

The principle that all people have equal worth and dignity, regardless of differences such as gender, caste, religion or wealth.