Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

A geographical area served by a church and its clergy.

The second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of time.

Bias or favouritism towards one person or group rather than judging fairly.

In Catholic teaching, the judgement of each individual immediately after death.

The saving events of Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection and glorification, through which Catholics believe God accomplished humanity’s redemption.

The suffering of Jesus during the final days leading to his death, remembered by Christians during Holy Week.

A term sometimes used for withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment. Such decisions are not necessarily euthanasia: allowing natural death differs from deliberately causing death.

Opposition to injustice through non-violent action, such as peaceful protest or refusal to cooperate.

Care for people's spiritual and personal wellbeing, including listening, guidance and support.

Dependent origination: the teaching that things arise through supporting causes and conditions rather than existing independently. Also called dependent arising or conditionality.

A founding father of the Jewish people; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are known as the patriarchs.

A social system in which men hold most authority and women’s opportunities or influence are restricted.

An international Catholic peace movement whose name means ‘Peace of Christ’, working for justice, reconciliation and nonviolence.

Freedom from conflict, together with inner tranquillity and harmonious relationships.

Someone who actively works to prevent violence, resolve disputes or build peaceful relationships.

Active work to prevent or resolve conflict and establish peaceful relationships.

The Quaker commitment to rejecting war and working for peace through actions as well as beliefs.

An action expressing sorrow for sin and a desire to turn back to God.

The part of the introductory rites of Mass in which the congregation acknowledges its sins and asks for God’s mercy.

A collection of rabbinic ethical teachings within the Mishnah, often translated as ‘Ethics of the Fathers’.

Hostile treatment or suffering inflicted on people because of their beliefs or identity.

In teaching about the Trinity, a distinct Father, Son or Holy Spirit, rather than a separate god or a part of God.

A person’s capacity to make their own decisions. Reform Judaism connects this freedom with informed and ethically responsible religious choices.

God understood as able to know, love and relate to worshippers, rather than solely as an impersonal ultimate reality.

The status of being a person with moral rights, rather than merely being biologically alive.

The Jewish festival of Passover, remembering God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

A prayer that asks God for something, such as help, healing or spiritual guidance.

An argument that uses reasons and evidence to support a conclusion about a fundamental question, such as what reality is like.