Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) key terms

In Dignity in Dying's campaign, medical assistance enabling a terminally ill, mentally competent adult to end their own life by voluntarily taking prescribed life-ending medication.

A marriage in which relatives or others help introduce potential partners, while the individuals take the lead in deciding whom to marry.

Helping someone to end their own life, with the person themselves carrying out the final life-ending act.

Not believing in any god or gods.

A person who does not believe in any god.

The non-physical individual self or soul, associated with rebirth and liberation.

The reconciliation of humanity with God through Jesus Christ, particularly through his sacrificial death.

A source accepted as a reliable guide to belief and behaviour.

A person's ability and freedom to make informed decisions about their own life.

An incarnation of a deity, sometimes in human form; Krishna is an avatara of Vishnu.

‘Do not destroy’: a Jewish prohibition on needless destruction and waste.

The intermediate state between a person’s death and resurrection for judgement.

Goodness, generosity and loving kindness towards others; Muslims believe Allah cares for his creation.

A Jewish religious court which deals with matters of Jewish law, including religious divorce.

A title for the personal Lord: God understood as supreme, loving and able to relate to worshippers.

Loving devotion to God.

A fully ordained Buddhist monk.

A fully ordained Buddhist nun.

The Christian scriptures, regarded by Christians as a source of God’s revelation and guidance.

The scientific theory that the universe expanded from an extremely hot, dense early state and has continued to expand and cool.

The scientific explanation that the universe expanded from an extremely hot, dense early state and has continued expanding.

A senior Christian leader who oversees churches and clergy within an area called a diocese.

A person committed to enlightenment for the benefit of all beings; in the Mahayana ideal, compassion means helping others rather than seeking liberation only for oneself.

The belief that God will raise the dead to life with their bodies.

The Hindu deity associated with creating the universe; distinct from Brahman, ultimate reality.

The supreme power in the universe; ultimate reality; God.

The Jewish ceremony of male circumcision, normally performed when a baby is eight days old, as a sign of the covenant with Abraham.