RE Part b Theme 1 key concepts

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

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

Quality of life

The idea that life must have some benefits for it to be worth living, meaningful and pleasurable

Sanctity of life

The belief that life is holy and belongs to God. The belief that life is precious or sacred because humans are made ‘in God’s image’.

Soul

The spiritual aspect of a human being; that which connects us to God. The soul lives on after physical death, in an afterlife