Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

The significance of sexual intercourse in bringing new human life into being.

A position emphasising protection of unborn life and opposing abortion, although views about exceptions differ.

The land of Canaan promised by God to Abraham and his descendants.

A person who communicates God's message to others.

The requirement that force should be appropriate to the threat and should not cause excessive harm.

Keeping society safe from offenders and further criminal activity.

Practical wisdom that enables someone to recognise what is good and choose appropriate means of achieving it.

God’s revelation addressed to humanity as a whole, fulfilled in Jesus Christ and witnessed in Scripture.

Prayer and praise offered to God together with other worshippers.

Hindu worship, which may take place at home or in a mandir.

A sanction imposed in response to wrongdoing, such as a legal penalty or religious penance.

Spiritual merit associated with good actions.

A Hindu sacred text containing stories about deities, creation and religious teaching.

A practice of veiling or secluding women to separate them from men; the Sikh Gurus opposed its use to restrict women’s participation.

A Buddha’s realm understood as favourable for spiritual progress; Pure Land Buddhists aspire to rebirth in Amitabha’s Western Pure Land.

In Catholic teaching, the temporary purification after death of those who are assured of salvation but are not yet fully purified for heaven.

A Jewish festival celebrating the rescue of the Jews of Persia from Haman’s plot, remembered through the reading of the Book of Esther.

An Israeli military ethical principle requiring force to be used only for its mission and only to the necessary extent, while protecting human dignity, non-combatants and prisoners.

The cosmic Person in Rig Veda 10.90, whose sacrifice brings forth creation, including the four varnas.

An aim of human life. The four purusharthas are dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

The direction towards the Ka’aba in Makkah, which Muslims face during Salah.

The Islamic principle of proportionate retaliation for certain offences, including ‘a life for a life’ in cases of murder.

A member of the Religious Society of Friends, a religious movement historically associated with peace, equality and opposition to war.

A person’s wellbeing and experience of life, including suffering, comfort and what makes life meaningful to them.

The Muslim holy scripture, believed to be Allah’s revelation to Muhammad.

The animal sacrifice made at Id-ul-Adha as an act of devotion to Allah; its meat is shared with others.

Unfair treatment of a person or group because of their race, ethnicity or skin colour.