Glossary Flashcards
Define ‘adultery’
A married person having sex with someone who isn’t their husband or wife
Define ‘ordination’
The sacrament of holy orders, by which someone is made a deacon, priest or bishop
Define ‘aggression’
In war, this means attacking someone without provocation
Define ‘agnosticism’
A belief that it’s impossible to know whether or not there is a God. Not knowing if God exists
Define ‘Apostolic’
A belief that the church was founded by, and receives it’s authority from, Jesus’s Apostles
Define ‘assisted suicide’
Ending your own life with the help of someone else e.g. Asking for a fatal dose of pills
Define ‘atheism’
A complete denial of the existence of a God
Define ‘atonement’
Reconciliation with God. This often refers to Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross to pay for our sin
Define ‘Bereavement’
The loss of someone close to you through their death
Define ‘bullying’
Intimidating, frightening and controlling people who are weaker than you
Define ‘abortion’
Removing a foetus from the womb before it’s able to survive, ending the pregnancy
Define ‘catechism’
A series of statements laying down the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
Define ‘pacifism’
The idea that war and physical violence are wrong under any circumstances
Define ‘celibacy’
Not taking part in any sexual activity
Define ‘catholic’
Universal. Used to describe the community of all Christian believers
Define ‘chrism’
The blessed oil used in the sacraments of the confirmation and ordination
Define ‘numinous experience’
An experience that inspires awe and wonder, in which someone can feel Gods presence
Define ‘religious freedom’
The freedom to openly practice and teach a religion, change religion or not follow a religion at all
Define ‘civil partnership’
The legal joining of a same-sex couple with the same rights and responsibilities as in a civil marriage
Define ‘cloning’
Creating a living thing which is identical to another
Define ‘cohabitation’
Living together in a sexual relationship without being married
Define ‘community cohesion’
The bonds holding a community together
Define ‘conscience’
An inner feeling of what’s right and wrong
Define ‘Gethsemane’
The garden where Jesus prayed before his arrest
Define ‘confession’
Acknowledging something.
Define ‘conservation’
Protecting and preserving resources, particularly natural resources
Define ‘creed’
Statement of religious beliefs
Define ‘cremation’
The burning of dead bodies
Define ‘Decalogue’
The Ten Commandments, as listed in Exodus
Define ‘discrimination’
Treating different people, or groups of people, differently (usually unfairly)
Define ‘disciples’
Followers of Jesus. This can refer to just his followers in the Bible or to all Christians
Define ‘euthanasia’
Ending someone’s life to relieve their suffering, especially from an incurable, painful disease
Define ‘exploitation’
Taking advantage of a weaker person it group of people
Define ‘fasting’
Not eating and/ or drinking for a set time. Used in religion for atonement or to focus the mind
Define ‘addiction’
A compulsion to keep doing something, even if you know it’s harming you
Define ‘conversion’
When someone’s life is first changed by becoming a follower of a faith
Define ‘free will’
The ability to choose how to behave. All three religions believe humans have free will
Define ‘corban’
A gift dedicated to God
Define ‘Golgotha’
The ‘place of the skull’ where Jesus was crucified
Define ‘Holy Week’
The last week of Lent, lasting from Palm Sunday until the day before Easter Sunday
Define ‘deterrence’
The idea that potential punishment will put people off commuting crime
Define ‘humanity’
Either the human race or the caring nature of humans towards each other
Define ‘human rights’
The moral, legal and political rights that every human being on Earth is entitled to
Define ‘immortality of the soul’
The belief that the soul of the person lives on after the death of the body
Define ‘Jairus’
A synagogue ruler who’s daughter was brought back to life by Jesus
Define ‘justice’
The idea of each person getting what the deserve, and maintaining what’s right
Define ‘incarnation’
The act by which Christians believe God became human, in the form of Jesus
Define ‘Lent’
The period spent remembering Christ’s 40 days spent starving in the desert
Define ‘literalism’
The belief that everything in religious scripture is literally true
Define ‘liturgy of the word’
The second part of Mass. Bible readings, a short sermon and a recitation of the creed
Define ‘Magisterium’
The ability and authority of the Pope and bishops to teach on matters of faith and morals
Define ‘mediation’
A form of religious disciple that involves clearing the mind of distractions
Define ‘miracle’
An event beloved to be the work of God, that can’t be explained by the laws of science
Define ‘omnibenevolent’
All loving. Showing unlimited love and compassion
Define ‘paranormal’
Things that science can’t explain, which are thought to have spiritual causes e.g. Ghosts
Define ‘omnipotence’
All powerful. Having unlimited powers-all things are possible
Define ‘omniscience’
All knowing. Knowing everything- in the past, present and future
Define ‘moral evil’
Suffering caused by human beings e.g. War, murder, rape, torture
Define ‘ex nihilo’
Out of nothing
Define ‘prayer’
An attempt to contact God, often in the form of a conversation
Define ‘prejudice’
Judging something or someone with no good reason, or without full knowledge of the situation
Define ‘procreation’
Having children
Define ‘promiscuity’
Having many sexual partners
Define ‘sexism’
Discrimination based on someone gender (male or female)
Define ‘racism’
Discrimination against people of other races- often based on unfair stereotypes
Define ‘mourning’
The period of deep sorrow for someone who had died
Define ‘religious pluralism’
Accepting that more than one religious view is valid, and that all faiths have the same right to exist
Define ‘reincarnation’
The rebirth of a soul In a new body after death
Define ‘resurrection’
Being brought back to life after death. This could be resurrection of the body or the soul
Define ‘reconciliation’
Returning to harmony and friendship after conflict
Define ‘revelation’
An experience that reveals Gods presence
Define ‘natural evil’
Suffering caused by the world we live in e.g. Disease, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes
Define ‘stewardship’
Taking care of the Earth as custodians of creation, so it can be passed on to the next generation
Define ‘the Sabbath’
The Jewish day of rest (Saturday)
Define ‘near death experience’
A vision experienced by someone close to death, usually an ‘out-of-body’ experience
Define ‘sacrament’
A ceremony, or outward sign, of the direct communication of Gods saving grace
Define ‘nuclear family’
A family made up of a mother, a father and their child/children living together
Define ‘sin’
An act that breaks a religious law, I.e. When Gods teaching is disobeyed
Define ‘Sermon on the Mount’
A summary of Jesus’ teachings on how to live a Christian life
Define ‘capital punishment’
The death penalty as punishment for a crime
Define ‘surrogacy’
When a woman bears a child for another woman
Define ‘absolution’
Forgiveness of sins granted by God through a priest, following confession and penance
Define ‘parousia’
Christian belief that one day Jesus will return to the earth again to judge the world
Define ‘chastity’
When you choose not to have sex
Define ‘monogamy’
One wife/ husband
Define ‘homosexuality’
Sexual attracted to the same sex
Define ‘heterosexuality’
Sexually attracted to the opposite sex
Define ‘age of consent’
The age you have to be to legally do something
Define ‘transcendent’
Above us all
Define ‘creator’
Made everything
Define ‘immanent’
Within us all
Define ‘judge’
The decider-decides what happens next
Define ‘messiah’
Anointed one
Define ‘sacrifice’
The surrender something of value as a means of gaining something more desirable
Define ‘trinity’
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Define ‘monotheist’
Having belief in one religion
Define ‘teleological argument’
The argument that states someone must have designed the universe. Isaac Newtons Thumb Theory (each thumb print is unique) and William Paleys Watchmaker theory, are both design arguments.
Define ‘cosmological argument’
Argues that there must have been a first cause. Thomas Aquinas’ domino theory supports this argument.
Define ‘salvation’
Deliverance from sin and it’s consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ
Define ‘redemption’
The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil
