Issues - Key Terms

Question 1

Adultery

Answer 1

A married person choosing to have sex with someone they are not married to

Question 2

Divorce

Answer 2

Legally ending a marriage

Question 3

Cohabitation

Answer 3

Living together in a sexual relationship without being married or in a civil partnership

Question 4

Commitment

Answer 4

Making and keeping a promise, such as wedding vows.

Question 5

Contraception

Answer 5

Methods used to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant during or following sexual intercourse e.g. artificial or natural

Question 6

Gender equality

Answer 6

When people of all genders enjoy the same rights and opportunities in all aspects of their lives

Question 7

Responsibilities

Answer 7

Actions or duties you are expected to carry out, such as looking after family members

Question 8

Roles

Answer 8

The position of a person, e.g. a police officer, as well as the characteristics expected of them, e.g. to obey the law

Question 9

Afterlife

Answer 9

Life after death; belief that existence continues after physical death

Question 10

Environmental sustainability

Answer 10

Ensuring that natural resources are used but protected so that all people, animals and plant life can live well now and in the future

Question 11

Euthanasia

Answer 11

The act of killing or permitting the death of a person who is suffering from a serious illness

Question 12

Evolution

Answer 12

Process by which different creatures are believed to have developed from earlier less complex forms during the history of the earth

Question 13

Abortion

Answer 13

Ending of a pregnancy so that it does not result in the birth of a child

Question 14

Quality of life

Answer 14

The extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable

Question 15

Sanctity of life

Answer 15

Belief that life is precious or sacred; for many religious believers, only human life holds this special status

Question 16

Soul

Answer 16

The spiritual aspect of a being, which some religions believe connects a person to God; also often being seen as non-physical and as living after physical death in an afterlife

Question 17

Good

Answer 17

That which is considered morally right, beneficial and to our advantage.

Question 18

Evil

Answer 18

That which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong

Question 19

Forgiveness

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Free will

Answer 20

The ability to make choices voluntarily and independently. The belief that nothing is predetermined

Question 21

Justice

Answer 21

Fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity

Question 22

Morality

Answer 22

Principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong

Question 23

Punishment

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Sin

Answer 24

Deliberate immoral action, breaking a religious or moral law

Question 25

Suffering

Answer 25

Pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss. Suffering can be physical, emotional and psychological or spiritual

Question 26

Censorship

Answer 26

The practice of suppressing and limiting access to materials considered obscene, offensive or a threat to security. People may also be restricted in their speech

Question 27

Discrimination

Answer 27

Acts of treating groups or individuals differently based on prejudice

Question 28

Extremism

Answer 28

Belief in or support of beliefs that are very far from what most people would consider correct or reasonable

Question 29

Human rights

Answer 29

Basic entitlements of all humans, afforded to them simply because they are human, e.g. UDHR states all should receive an education

Question 30

Personal conviction

Answer 30

Something a person strongly feels or believes in

Question 31

Prejudice

Answer 31

Pre-judging; judging people to be inferior or superior without evidence

Question 32

Relative poverty

Answer 32

A standard of poverty measured in relation to the standards of the society in which the person lives, e.g. living on less than x% of UK income

Question 33

Absolute poverty

Answer 33

An acute state of deprivation whereby a person cannot Accra the most basic of human needs

Question 34

Social justice

Answer 34

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