RS unit 1 keyword

• Agape


  Selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love
• Atonement


  The belief that Jesus' Death and Resurrection healed the rift between humans and God, thereby opening the way for God and people to be 'at one' again
• Divine command theory


  The belief that something is right because God commands it
• Holy Spirit


  One of the three persons of the Holy Trinity.
• Incarnation


  'Made flesh- the Christian belief that God became man in the person of Jesus, fully human and fully divine. God becoming human in the form of Jesus
• Inter-faith dialogue


  Different faith communities and groups coming together to better understand each other and to serve the wider community with a mutual respect that allows them to live peacefully alongside each other, in spite of differences in beliefs and ways of life
• Messiah


  The word means 'the Anointed One'. The Messiah is the one believed to be sent by Gad to be humanity's saviour. Christians believe this person to be Jesus
• Omnibenevolence


  The state of being all-loving and infinitely good-a characteristic often attributed to God
• Omnipotence


  The all-powerful, almighty and unlimited nature of God
• Omniscience


  The all-knowing nature of God
• Resurrection


  The belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day from when he was crucified, thereby canquering death. It is commemorated annually on Easter Sunday
• Trinity


  The three persons of God: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Aron Hakodesh


  The holy Ark containing the Torah scrolls. It is on the wall facing Jerusalem and is the focal point of the synagogue
• Kashrut


  The body of Jewish law dealing with what foods can and cannot be eaten and how those foods must be prepared.
• Kippah


  A cap worn by Jewish boys and men (and sometimes women) during services. Some Jews wear a kippah at all times. It is a reminder of God's presence. A kippah is often also known as a yarmulke
• Ner tamid


  'Eternal light'; a constantly lit lamp near the ark in the synagogue that symbolises God's presence
• Orthodox


  A major branch within Judaism which adheres faithfully to the principles and practices of traditional Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe that the Law of the Torah is eternal and unchanging, and they practise observance of the Sabbath, religious festivals, holy days, and the dietary laws
• Rabbi


  A religious teacher and leader with authority to make decisions on issues of Jewish law. A rabbi is the chief religious official of a synagogue, who often (but not always] leads worship and conducts rites and rituals
• Reform


  A major branch of Judaism which seeks to embrace a diversity of interpretations of Jewish law and customs, whilst preserving the beliefs, values and traditions central to the faith. Reform Jews believe that Jewish law is inspired by God and people can choose which laws to follow
• Shabbat


  Day of spiritual renewal and rest. Beginning at sunset on Friday and closing at nightfall on Saturday
• Shema


  A prayer declaring Jewish faith that is said by many Jews twice a day. The Shema states that there is only one God. It is placed in the Mezuzah case and tefillin
• Synagogue


  House of assembly; building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly
• Abortion


  When a pregnancy is ended by the deliberate removal of the foetus from the womb so that it does not result in the birth of a child
• Afterlife


  Life after death; the belief that existence continues after physical death
• Environmental responsibility


  The duty upon human beings to respect, care for and preserve the natural environment. Crucial to environmental responsibility is the idea of sustainability
• Euthanasia


  From Greek, eu 'good' + thanatos 'death'. Sometimes referred to as mercy killing. The act of killing a person, either directly or indirectly, because a decision has been reached that death would be the best option
• Evolution


  The process by which different living creatures are believed to have developed from earlier, less complex forms, during the history of the earth
• Quality of life


  The extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable
• Sanctity of life


  The belief that life is precious or sacred because humans are made in God's image'. For many religious believers, only human life holds this special status
• Soul


  The spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects someone to God. The soul is often regarded as non-physical and as living on after physical death, in an afterlife
• Good


  That which is considered morally right, or beneficial and to our advantage
• Evil


  That which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong
• Forgiveness


  To grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer
• Free will


  The ability to make choices (particularly moral choices) voluntarily and independently. The belief that nothing is pre-determined
• Justice


  Fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and equality of opportunity and receives what they are due
• Morality


  Principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong
• Pacifism


  The belief that war and violence are unjustifiable
• Conscience


  A person's moral sense of right and wrong. Religious people may believe that the conscience is their inner guidance from God
• Suffering


  Pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss. Suffering can be physical, emotional/psychological or spiritual