BGCSE Religious Education key terms

An organised system of beliefs about a divine or ultimate reality, together with the practices, moral rules and community life that express those beliefs.

A conviction that something is true, especially about God or ultimate reality, held without direct proof and guiding how a person lives.

Personal trust and commitment in a religious belief, often described as a gift that shapes conduct and hope rather than mere agreement with ideas.

The position that no god or gods exist, usually accompanied by a naturalistic explanation of the world and of human life.

The view that whether God exists is unknown or cannot be known, so a person suspends judgement on the question.

The belief that a personal God exists who created the world and relates to it, as held by Christians, Jews and Muslims.

The way God is said to make himself known, whether through nature, history, prophets, sacred writings or, for Christians, in Jesus Christ.

Writing regarded as sacred and authoritative by a religious community, such as the Bible, the Qur'an or the Vedas.

The belief that sacred writers were guided by God's Spirit, so their writings convey divine truth to the community that receives them.

The accepted list of books a religious community treats as authoritative scripture, settled after long discussion and testing.

Beliefs and practices handed down from generation to generation, which guide interpretation and worship alongside written sources.

The teaching office of the Roman Catholic Church, exercised by bishops in union with the Pope, which interprets scripture and tradition authoritatively.

An official teaching of a religious body, stated clearly so members can understand and share the community's core beliefs.

The Christian teaching that one God exists in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, equal in nature but distinct in relationship.

Belief in one God only, the foundation of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, each of which rejects worship of many gods.

Worship of or belief in many gods, each often linked to a particular place, natural force or aspect of life.

Latin for 'image of God', the teaching that every human being shares in God's likeness and so possesses unique worth and dignity.

The belief that God made the universe and everything in it, giving the world order, purpose and value.

The duty to care for the world and its resources as a trust held on behalf of God, rather than as owners who may exploit them.

An inner sense of right and wrong that judges our actions, which believers say must be educated and informed by moral teaching.

Standards of right and wrong behaviour, often grounded in religious teaching and shared community values, that guide choices and relationships.

An act, attitude or failure that breaks God's law and damages relationship with God, with others and with oneself.

Sincere sorrow for wrongdoing together with a decision to change direction and live according to God's standards.

A firm good habit of character, such as honesty, patience or courage, built up by repeated right choices and teaching.

God's free and undeserved help given to people to live faithfully, which believers say enables moral effort rather than replacing it.

The honour and devotion people offer to God, expressed publicly and privately through words, music, gesture and silence.

The ordered public worship of a religious community, following set words, readings and actions so that all may take part.

In Christian teaching, a visible sign instituted by Christ that conveys God's grace, such as baptism and the Eucharist.

Communication with God, spoken or silent, including praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition and simply listening.

A set pattern of symbolic actions and words performed in a fixed way, marking religious events and binding a community together.

A recurring religious celebration that remembers a sacred event or truth and strengthens the identity of the community that keeps it.

A day set apart weekly for rest and worship; observed on Saturday in Judaism and on Sunday by most Christians.

An object, action or picture that points beyond itself to a deeper religious meaning, such as water, light or a cross.

Described of places, objects and times set apart as holy and treated with reverence because of their link to the divine.

A committed relationship between partners, usually marked by religious ceremony, seen by many believers as a covenant blessed by God.

The basic social unit of parents and children, regarded in most religions as the first school of faith, values and moral training.

A group bound by shared faith, place or culture whose members support one another and worship and celebrate together.

The principle that all people deserve fair treatment, equal dignity and access to basic needs, which believers ground in God's concern for the poor.

The movement to restore unity among Christian churches through dialogue, shared prayer and cooperative service.

Respectful conversation and cooperation between people of different religions, aimed at mutual understanding and shared action for the common good.