Religious Studies key terms

The clearing or removal of forests.

A god or goddess, understood as a divine being or form through which the divine is encountered.

A Roman coin. In Mark 14:5, the critics value the woman’s ointment at more than three hundred denarii.

A recognised branch of Christianity with its own organisation and particular beliefs or practices.

The Buddhist teaching that things and experiences arise in dependence on causes and conditions; also called dependent origination.

The teaching that things arise and continue because of causes and conditions; when these conditions change, what depends on them also changes. Also called conditionality.

An argument that the apparent order, complexity and purpose of the natural world provide evidence for an intelligent designer, identified by religious believers as God.

An aim of punishment that seeks to discourage the offender or other people from committing crime through fear of its consequences.

Something intended to discourage an action through fear of its consequences, such as the threat of retaliation discouraging an attack.

Religious dedication expressed through practices such as prayer and worship.

The Buddha’s teachings, which guide Buddhists towards understanding and enlightenment.

The Buddha’s teachings; also the truth about existence he realised, the natural order of reality and the path of training towards enlightenment.

A collection of Buddhist teachings traditionally attributed to the Buddha, including verses about wisdom and how to live.

Material service: giving money, possessions or other resources to help others.

Giving or generosity, often written as dana or dāna; a Buddhist practice that helps others and challenges attachment.

Service through wealth or material resources, such as donating money or food to support others.

The first stage of Sikh spiritual development: piety or righteousness, involving recognition of moral duties and responsibility for one's actions.

Moral and religious duty; the principles of right living.

The twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, during which Hajj takes place.

The inherent worth of a human being, which calls for respectful treatment even when that person has committed a crime.

A campaigning organisation seeking a choice of assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with safeguards against pressure and abuse.

The Jewish principle that ‘the law of the land is the law’: civil law is binding and should be respected.

Reducing or eliminating weapons. Nuclear disarmament means reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons.

A follower who learns from Jesus and seeks to live according to his teaching.

Following Jesus and seeking to live according to his teaching and example.

Unfair treatment of a person or group because of characteristics such as their religion.

Ignored, rejected or treated as less valuable by other people.