RE AOS 2

Beliefs

Ideas or teachings that religious believers accept as true. They influence how people understand the world and how they behave.

Rituals

Religious actions or ceremonies that express important beliefs. They can happen once, annually or regularly, and are often practised in a community.

Symbols

Objects or images that represent religious beliefs. They are often used in rituals and help identify members of a religion.

Texts

Written works that contain important religious teachings, prayers, stories, history and ethical guidelines. Some texts are considered sacred.

Sacred stories

Stories about important people or events in a religion. They teach believers how to live and understand their faith.

Spiritual experiences

Experiences that help believers connect with their religion and beliefs. They can happen during religious activities or in everyday life, such as in nature.

Social structure

The way a religion is organised to create communities and give people a sense of belonging. It helps religions teach beliefs, practise rituals and support others.

Ethics

Religious teachings about right and wrong. They guide how believers should behave and often focus on helping the poor and vulnerable.

Spaces, places, times and artefacts: Places

Locations used for religious activities, such as churches, mosques and temples.

Spaces, places, times and artefacts: Spaces

Specific areas within religious places that have special meaning.

Spaces, places, times and artefacts: Times

Important dates and events celebrated through festivals and ceremonies.

Spaces, places, times and artefacts: Artefacts

Sacred objects used in religious places or rituals.

Consequentialism eg. utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes. A form of consequentialism. The most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Deontology

Deontology is an ethical theory the uses rules to distinguish right from wrong. Ethical actions should follow moral laws such as; don’t lie, don’t steal and don’t cheat

Virtue Ethics

An ethical theory that emphasise character, moral habits and personal behaviours. For example; a person returning a lost wallet, driven by integrity and empathy, rather than the fear of punishment.

Natural Law

grounded in the idea that humans should act according to their purpose, using reason to live in harmony with the natural order.

Golden Rule

an ethical principle that can be stated as: "Treat others as you would like to be treated." It appears in many religions, philosophies and cultures, often in slightly different wording.