Subject specific vocabulary – Section B: thematic studies
The following subject specific vocabulary provides definitions of key terms used in our GCSE Religious Studies Short Course specification (8061), Section B: thematic studies – religious, philosophical and ethical studies. Terms are grouped by theme.
Students should be familiar with and gain understanding of these terms.
Theme A: Relationships and families
Cohabitation
A couple living together without being married/in civil partnership.
Compassion
Sympathy and concern for the suffering of others.
Contraception
Precautions taken to prevent pregnancy and to protect against contracting or transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Divorce
Legal ending of a marriage.
Extended family
Family unit comprising two parents and their children, but also grandparents, cousins etc.
Family planning
Planning when to have a family and how big a family to have by use of birth control practices and/or contraception.
Gender discrimination
Acting on prejudices against someone because of their gender.
Gender equality
Belief that both genders have equal status and value, so discrimination against either is wrong.
Gender prejudice
Negative thoughts, feelings or beliefs about a person or group based on their gender.
Heterosexuality
Being physically/sexually attracted to persons of the opposite gender.
Homosexuality
Being physically/sexually attracted to persons of the same gender.
Nuclear family
Family unit made up of two parents and their child(ren).
Polygamy
The practice of having multiple spouses (wives and/or husbands).
Procreation
Having a child; seen as a duty in many religions.
Remarriage
Marriage for the second time, after divorce ending an earlier marriage.
Vows
Promises made during a marriage ceremony.
Theme B: Religion, peace and conflict
Conflict
Dispute between sides, can be between individuals, groups or nations.
Forgiveness
Letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on.
Holy War
War that is believed to be sanctioned by God.
Justice
Bringing fairness back to a situation.
Just War
Set of rules for fighting a war in a way believed to be justified and acceptable to God.
Nuclear deterrence
Having nuclear weapons with the aim of deterring/preventing other states attacking for fear of retaliation and nuclear war (possibly leading to Mutually Assured Destruction).
Nuclear weapons/war
A weapon of mass destruction which causes widespread damage and loss of life. Nuclear war would be a war fought using these weapons.
Pacifism
Belief that all violence is wrong, which then affects all behaviours.
Peace
The opposite of war; harmony between all in society.
Peace-making
Working to bring about peace and reconciliation.
Protest
A statement or action to express disagreement; can be an organised event to demonstrate disagreement with a policy or political action.
Reconciliation
Making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups/sides after disagreement.
Retaliation
To pay someone back for their harmful actions.
Terrorism
Use of violence and threats to intimidate others; used for political purposes to build fear in the ordinary population and to secure demands from Government.
Victims of war
Those who are harmed during a war, for example those killed, injured or left homeless.
Violence
Behaviour involving physical force which intends to hurt, kill or cause damage.
War
Armed conflict between two or more sides.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Weapons which cause widespread, indiscriminate damage (eg nuclear, chemical, biological).