Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) key terms

Eternal life in God’s presence, understood by Christians as a place or state of perfect happiness and communion with God.

A place or state of separation from God, traditionally associated with eternal punishment.

A system in which people or groups are ranked according to their status or authority.

The third Person of the Trinity, whom Christians believe guides, strengthens and works within believers.

A Hindu ritual in which offerings are made into a sacred fire.

Family life in which spiritual duties are fulfilled through ordinary responsibilities, work and relationships rather than withdrawal from society.

God’s will or divine order, with which Sikhs seek to live in harmony.

A non-religious approach to life that uses reason, evidence and empathy, and places human welfare at the centre of ethical decisions.

A person whose non-religious worldview emphasises reason, evidence and human responsibility rather than divine authority.

A volunteer-led network of Humanists UK members and supporters promoting sustainable lifestyles and campaigning for environmentally friendly policies.

The Islamic waiting period before a divorced woman can remarry, allowing time for possible reconciliation and establishing whether she is pregnant.

The opening words of the Mool Mantra, meaning that there is one God.

The Christian belief that human beings reflect God's nature and have a special relationship with God, giving each person dignity and value.

Latin for ‘image of God’: the belief that humans are made in God’s image and therefore have special dignity and value.

A person who leads Muslims in congregational prayer; an imam may also teach and guide the community.

Belief in the authority of divinely chosen Imams who guide the Muslim community after Muhammad.

God's presence within creation, rather than being only distant from it.

Present and active within the world.

The belief that the spiritual part of a person continues to exist after the body dies.

The belief that God the Son became human in Jesus Christ while remaining divine.

The belief that the Bible is without error.

The Gospel: revelation given by Allah to Isa (Jesus), distinguished in Islamic belief from the later Christian Gospel writings.

The belief that God, through the Holy Spirit, guided the human authors of the Bible.

Acting or pleading on another person’s behalf; in debates about Muslim graves, asking a holy person to put a request to Allah.

A marriage between people of different religious faiths.

A marriage between people of different religions.

The angel who will blow a trumpet to announce the Day of Resurrection.