Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) key terms

A fundamental moral principle in Aquinas' Natural Law, such as preserving life or reproducing.

The challenge of explaining why evil and suffering exist if God is both all-powerful and all-loving.

Having children; reproduction.

The land of Canaan promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, which gives the land religious significance within Jewish identity.

A human being chosen by Allah to receive and communicate his guidance and show people how to live.

The belief that Allah chooses human messengers to communicate his guidance to humanity.

Hindu worship, including offerings to a deity, often focused on a murti.

The realm associated with Amida Buddha where followers believe they can be reborn and attain buddhahood; also the name of the Buddhist tradition centred on this belief.

In Roman Catholic belief, purification after death for those who are destined for Heaven but are not yet fully purified from sin.

The extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable.

Islam’s final holy book, believed by Muslims to be the unchanged word of Allah revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril.

A Jewish religious teacher and leader who interprets Jewish teachings and guides a community.

The quality of material nature associated with activity, passion, desire and restlessness.

A state of existence within samsara into which beings may be reborn, conditioned by karma.

The soul entering another life after the death of the physical body; also called reincarnation or transmigration.

Restoring a relationship after conflict or disagreement.

A Jewish tradition that interprets and develops inherited teachings in response to contemporary understanding and circumstances.

The Sikh code of conduct, which sets out religious duties and conventions, including those concerning marriage.

The soul's acquisition of a new body after the death of its previous body.

The religion with which a person connects or identifies, whether or not they actively practise it.

The presence of different religious and non-religious beliefs within a society.

Marrying again after a previous marriage has ended, for example through divorce or the death of a spouse.

Entering a new marriage after a previous marriage has ended through divorce or a spouse’s death.

Giving up worldly attachments or a way of life to pursue spiritual development; Gautama renounced palace luxury and left his family.

Sincerely turning away from wrongdoing and seeking Allah’s forgiveness.

A duty or action someone is expected to carry out.

Being raised from death to life by God.