Religion and life key terms

Abortion

The deliberate ending of a pregnancy.

Afterlife

Beliefs about what happens to 'us' after our body has died; in many religions this relates to life after death or immortality in some form.

Animal experimentation

The use of animals for medical research and product testing.

Awe and wonder

Sense of wonderment at nature; often linked to the feeling that God is involved/revealed

Big Bang theory

Scientific theory about the origins of the universe; belief that the universe began with a reaction of particles from a singularity followed by a process of inflation and expansion.

Death

The end of the physical bodily life

Dominion

Belief that humans have been given control/charge of the world.

Environment

The world around us; this can be made up of natural or artificial surroundings.

Euthanasia

Assisting with the ending of life for a person who is terminally ill or has degenerative illness; often known as assisted suicide.

Evolution

Scientific theory of the development of species which involves a process of natural selection and survival of the fittest.

Natural resources

Resources which are found in nature. For example and plants.

Pollution

Contamination of an environment with harmful substances.

Quality of life

The standard of health

Responsibility

Having a duty or obligation to act in a certain way.

Sanctity of life

Belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God

Scientific

Knowledge based on what can be observed (e.g. regularities in nature) and experimentation.

Stewardship

Duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world