RS glossary of key concepts : Component 1

GLOSSARY OF KEY CONCEPTS Component 1: Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World

Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse.

Adultery

To legally end a marriage.

Divorce

To live together in a sexual relationship, without being married, or in a civil partnership.

Cohabitation

A sense of dedication and obligation to someone or something.

Commitment

Methods used to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant during or following sexual intercourse.

Contraception

All genders enjoying the same rights and opportunities in all aspects of their lives.

Gender equality

Actions/duties you are expected to carry out.

Responsibilities

Position, status or function of a person in society. This includes the characteristics and social behaviour expected of them.

Roles

The belief that existence continues after physical death.

Afterlife

Ensuring natural resource demands stay within capacity, supporting the well-being of people, wildlife, and ecosystems now and in the future.

Environmental Sustainability

Sometimes referred to as ‘mercy killing’. The act of killing or permitting the death of a person who is suffering from a serious illness.

Euthanasia

The process by which living creatures are believed to have developed from earlier, less complex forms during the history of the earth.

Evolution

When a pregnancy is ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child.

Abortion

The extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable.

Quality of Life

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

Sanctity of Life

The spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects someone to God.

Soul

Things that are considered morally right, beneficial, and our advantage.

Good

That which is considered extremely immoral, wicked, and wrong.

Evil

To grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer.

Forgiveness

The ability to make choices voluntarily and independently. The belief that nothing is pre-determined.

Free Will

Fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity.

Justice

Principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong.

Morality

A penalty given to someone for a crime or wrong they have done.

Punishment

Deliberate immoral action, breaking a religious or moral law.

Sin

Pain or distress caused by injury, illness, or loss. Can be physical, emotional/psychological, or spiritual.

Suffering

The practice of suppressing and limiting access to materials considered offensive, or a threat to security.

Censorship

Acts of treating different groups of people or individuals differently, based on prejudice.

Discrimination

Believing in or supporting ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or normal.

Extremism

The basic entitlements of all human beings, afforded to them simply because they are human.

Human Rights

Something a person strongly feels or believes in.

Personal Conviction

Pre-judging; judging people to be inferior or superior without cause.

Prejudice

An acute state of deprivation, whereby a person cannot access the most basic of their human needs.

Absolute Poverty

A standard of poverty relative to a society's norms, such as earning below X% of average income.

Relative Poverty

Promoting a fair society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity. Ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities and rights.

Social Justice