Life and death key terms

Afterlife

Life after death; the belief that there is something else when our physical bodies die.

Environmental responsibility

The duty that humans have to look after the environment. They should respect it, care for it and preserve it.

Euthanasia

The painless killing of someone who is dying from a painful disease. A decision would be reached that death would be the best option.

Evolution

The process by which different living creatures are believed to have developed from earlier, more simpler forms.

Abortion

The ending of a pregnancy by deliberately removing the foetus from the womb before 24 weeks.The Abortion Act was introduced in 1967

Quality of life

The extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable.

Sanctity of life

The belief that life is holy or sacred because humans are made by God. Some religious people believe that only human beings hold this important status.

Soul

The invisible, spiritual aspect of a being which connects them to God. The soul is seen to live on after death.