Religious Studies key terms

Giving up worldly possessions, comforts and attachments to pursue spiritual development.

Making up for harm caused by an offence, for example by repairing damage.

Sincere regret for wrongdoing, involving turning away from it and trying to change.

A Catholic funeral Mass containing special prayers for the deceased and including the Eucharist.

The ability of people or communities to cope with threats and recover from crises.

Recognising the worth of others and treating them with consideration.

A duty to act appropriately, including respecting and protecting other people’s rights.

Repayment or compensation to a victim for harm or loss caused by an offender.

A process in which offenders engage with those affected by crime to understand the harm caused and try to repair it.

Rising from death to life. In Mark 8:31, Jesus predicts that he will rise after three days.

Taking action against someone in response to harm or an attack they have caused.

A period spent away from everyday routines to concentrate on prayer, reflection and spiritual growth.

Punishment imposed because an offender deserves a penalty for wrongdoing.

Allah making His message and guidance known to humans, particularly through His prophets.

An Islamic term commonly understood to include interest on loans, which Islam prohibits.

The part of the Noble Eightfold Path concerned with ethical bodily conduct, including avoiding killing, stealing and sexual misconduct.

Anger directed at injustice or wrongdoing rather than personal revenge. In Christianity, it can express a desire to restore justice in accordance with God’s will.

Living rightly in relation to God and God’s will. Jesus contrasts ‘the righteous’ with ‘sinners’ when explaining whom he has come to call.

The aim of protecting people and restoring peace, rather than seeking revenge or personal gain.

Prophethood: Allah’s appointment of human beings to receive and communicate his guidance.

A ceremony marking an important stage or change in a person’s life, such as baptism, marriage or a funeral.

A religious action or ceremony performed in an established way to express beliefs and mark significant occasions.

A commandment concerned directly with the relationship between a person and God, such as worshipping God alone or keeping Shabbat.

Being religiously clean according to Jewish law. Ritual uncleanness could restrict participation in worship and contact with others; it was not necessarily a result of moral wrongdoing.

A religious status under Jewish law that restricted participation in worship and community life; it did not necessarily imply wrongdoing.

A position a person holds and the behaviour expected of someone in that position.

A Catholic prayer practice combining set prayers with reflection on events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, often using beads to count the prayers.