GCSE Eduqas Route A Themes Paper Key Words

Adultery

Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse. Many Christians teach against adultery, as it breaks the vow ‘til death do us part’.

Divorce

To legally end a marriage. Some Muslims believe that divorce is acceptable, but should be a last resort.

Cohabitation

To live together in a sexual relationship, without being mmarried or in a civil partnership. Some Christians believe that this is wrong as sex should only take place within marriage.

Commitment

A sense of dedication and obligation to do something. In a Christian marriage ceremony, commitments are made during the vows.

Contraception

Methods used to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant during or following sexual intercorse. Roman Catholics teach against it’s use as they believe every sperm is sacred.

Gender equality

People of all genders enjoying the same rights and opportunities in all aspects of their lives. Christians believe that we are all equal as we are all made in God’s image.

Responsibilities

Actions/duties that uou are expected to carry out. For example, Christians believe you have the responsibility to teach your children about God.

Roles

Position, status or function of a person in society, as well as the characteristics and social behaviour expected of them. For example, a parent as the role to care for their children.

Afterlife

Life after death; the belief that existence contnues after physical death. Universalists believe that everyone will get to heaven and be reconciled with God, regardless of their own beliefs.

Environmental Sustainability

Ensuring the demands places on natural resources can be met without reducing capacity to allow all people and other forms of life to survive. Many Christians believe it is their responsibility to look after the planet as it is one of God's creations.

Euthanasia

Meaning ‘good death’ or referred to as ‘mercy killing’. The act of killing or permitting the death of a person who is suffering from a serious illness. Many Christians are opposed to euthanasia as it goes against the commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’.

Evolution

The process by which different living creatures are belived to have developed from earlier less complex forms. Some religious believers do not believe in evolution as they believe in creationism, which states that God created life in its current form.

Abortion

When a pregnancy is ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child. In Islam, many believe that abotion is not permissible except in certain circumstances, such as when the mother's life is at risk.

Quality of Life

The extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable. Many Christians believe that quality of life is important in making ethical decisions like abortion if the child will be born with a significant disability.

Sanctity of Life

The belief that life is precious, or sacred. For many religious believers, only human life holds this special status.

Soul

The spiritual aspect of a being which is non-physical and is often seen to live on after death. Christians believe it is the soul that carries on to the afterlife.

Good

That which is considered morally right, beneficial and to our advantage. Christians believe that it is through good actions that you can reach heaven.

Evil

That which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong. Christians believe that evil actions lead to separation from God.

Forgiveness

To grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer. Christians believe that mankind was given forgiveness for their sins when Jesus died on the cross.

Free Will

The ability to make choices voluntarily and independantly. The belief that nothing is pre-determined. In Christianity, free will allows individuals to choose between good and evil.

Justice

Fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity. In Islam, one of Allahs 99 names is ‘The Just’.

Morality

Principle and standards determining which actions are right or wrong. In Christianity, many people base their morality on the actions and teachings of Jesus.

Punishment

A penalty given to smeone for a crime or wrong they have done. Some Christians believe that Gods method of punishment is eternal life in hell after death.

Sin

Deliberate immoral action, breaking a religious or moral law. In Christianity, to murder is a sin as outlined in the 10 commandments.

Suffering

Pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss. Suffering can be physical, emotional/psychological or spiritual. Christians may believe that suffering as a test from God

Censorship

The practice of suppressing or limiting access to material considered obscene, offensive or a threat to security. TV channels may be censored to not broadcast foul language before 9pm.

Discrimination

Acts of treating groups of people, or individuals differently, based on prejudice. Racism is a form of discrimination based on race.

Extremism

Supporting ideas that are far from what most people consider correct or reasonable. The KKK is an example of a white-supremacist group.

Human Rights

The basic entitlements of all human beings, afforded to them simply because they are human. An example of a human right is the right to life.

Personal Conviction

Something a person strongly feels or believes in. Martin Luther King had the personal conviction that all people should be treated equally regardless of race.

Prejudice

Pre-judging: judging people to be inferior/superior without cause. Stereotyping someone’s character based on their race is a form of prejudice.

Relative Poverty

A standard of poverty measured in relation to the standards of a society in which that person lives. Someone in relative poverty may have access to food but maybe not to higher education.

Absolute Poverty

An acute state of deprivation whereby a person can’t access most of their basic human needs. This could be someone who cannot afford to buy food.

Social Justice

Promoting a fair society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity. Martin Luther King Jr. is a prominent figure associated with social justice advocacy.