InspiRE: Unit 1 - Introduction to Religious Education

Belief

An idea that people think is true and that they trust

Worldview

The way we look at the world and what we think is important in life

Faith

A set of beliefs about the world that are connected to a particular religion; also, an individual's trust that their religious beliefs are true

Secular

Not connected to or associated with a religion

The Divine

God or gods or something higher than human life

Sacred

Something holy, connected to a religion

Denomination

A religious group that has different beliefs and practices from other groups, even though they share the same religion

Secular humanism

A belief that humans can live good and happy lives and find meaning in them without religious beliefs and practices

Symbol

A picture, image, object or action that represents something else: an idea, an organisation or a quality

Rituals

The traditions, habits and actions that are repeated in a family, community or society and have a special meaning to them

Values

The things that you consider most important in life and that guide your behaviour

Founder

Someone who starts a group or organisation

Brahman

The one supreme god of Hinduism

Reincarnation

The idea that when you die your soul moves to another body and you are reborn

Sacred texts

Books that are central to the religious beliefs and practices of a religion

Oral tradition

Stories and teachings that were passed on by word of mouth

Written tradition

Stories and teachings that were written down to make sure that the message would not get lost or be changed

Vedas

One of the main sacred texts for Hindus

Bhagavad Gita

One of the main sacred texts for Hindus

Tanakh

The sacred text for Jews

Torah

The first five books of the Tanakh, containing the law of God

Tripitaka

The sacred text for Buddhists

Bible

The sacred text for Christians

Qur'an

The sacred text for Muslims

Allah

The word for God in Arabic