LGCSE Religious Studies (0186) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Agnosticism

The view that the existence of God is unknown or unknowable, because the available evidence is insufficient either to prove or to disprove it.

Cosmological argument

An argument for God's existence claiming that everything that exists has a cause, so the universe must trace back to a first uncaused cause.

Teleological argument

The design argument: apparent order, purpose and fine-tuning in the universe suggest an intelligent designer, often identified with God.

Problem of evil

The challenge that an all-powerful, all-knowing and all-good God would not permit evil and suffering, so their existence counts against such a God.

Denomination

A recognised branch within one religion, such as Sunni or Shi'a Islam, sharing core beliefs but differing in authority, practice or interpretation.

Qur'an

The Islamic holy book of 114 suras, believed by Muslims to be the literal and unchanged word of God revealed to Muhammad in Arabic.

Hadith

A recorded report of a saying or action of Muhammad, used alongside the Qur'an for guidance and graded by scholars for reliability.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses, containing law, creation accounts and the covenant with Israel.

Guru Granth Sahib

The Sikh scripture, compiled largely by Guru Arjan, honoured as the eternal Guru and treated with the respect due to a living teacher.

Sola scriptura

The Protestant principle that scripture alone is the supreme authority in matters of belief and practice, rather than scripture plus church tradition.

Trinity

The Christian belief that one God exists eternally in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - equal in substance yet distinct.

Tawhid

The Islamic belief in the absolute oneness and unity of God, making shirk, associating partners with God, the gravest sin.

Shema

A central Jewish declaration of faith beginning 'Hear, O Israel', affirming that God is one and calling for wholehearted love and obedience.

Karma and samsara

The belief that actions produce consequences shaping future lives, and that beings are reborn repeatedly until they reach liberation.

Four Noble Truths

The Buddha's core teaching that life involves suffering, craving causes suffering, suffering can cease, and the Eightfold Path is the way.

Ik Onkar

The opening phrase of the Sikh Mool Mantar, meaning 'There is one God', affirming divine unity as the foundation of Sikh belief.

Eucharist

The Christian sacrament using bread and wine, commemorating Jesus' last supper; interpretations range from transubstantiation to a memorial meal.

Salah

The obligatory Muslim prayer performed five times daily at set times, facing Mecca, and preceded by ritual washing called wudu.

Shabbat

The Jewish day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candles, blessings, synagogue worship and abstention from work.

Puja

Hindu worship offered to a deity, often using a murti, with offerings, chanting and receiving darshan, at home or in a temple.

Vesak

The Buddhist festival marking the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, celebrated with temple visits, lanterns, chanting and generous giving.

Langar

The free communal meal served in a gurdwara, open to all regardless of background, expressing Sikh equality and selfless service.

Natural law

A Catholic ethical theory holding that reason can discover God-given purposes in human nature, so actions are right when they fulfil those purposes.

Situation ethics

Joseph Fletcher's theory that agape love should decide each situation, with no fixed rules except the command to act lovingly.

Five Precepts

Buddhist commitments to avoid harming living beings, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech and intoxicants.

Just war theory

Criteria such as just cause, legitimate authority, proportionality and last resort, used to judge whether going to war and how it is fought can be moral.

Zakat

The obligatory Muslim annual payment of about 2.5 percent of qualifying wealth to help the poor, one of the Five Pillars.

Ummah

The worldwide community of Muslims, united by shared belief and practice, which members are expected to support and feel loyalty towards.

Sangha

The Buddhist community of monks, nuns and lay followers; monastics depend on lay support, and laity gain merit by giving.

Ecumenism

The movement seeking greater unity among Christian denominations through dialogue, shared worship and cooperation in service and mission.

Sewa

Selfless service in Sikhism, performed without expectation of reward, through acts such as serving langar or helping those in need.

Rite of passage

A ceremony marking a significant life transition such as birth, coming of age, marriage or death, giving it religious meaning.