Religion and Life Issues - Key Terms and Definitions Flashcards
1
Q
abortion
A
The deliberate termination (ending) of a pregnancy, usually before the foetus is
24 weeks old.
2
Q
Abortion Act (1967)
A
The first law making abortion legal in England, Scotland and Wales.
3
Q
abuse
A
Misuse of the world and the environment.
4
Q
acid rain
A
Rain made acid by contamination through pollution in the atmosphere as the result of
emissions from factories, vehicles, power-stations, etc.
5
Q
adoption
A
The legal process where a person (child) is taken (adopted) into the family as a son or
daughter.
6
Q
ageism
A
Prejudice against someone because of their age, leading to discrimination.
7
Q
animal experiments
A
Testing on animals, either for medical or cosmetic purposes, to ensure that the product
is safe for use by humans.
8
Q
animal exports
A
The selling of animals to other countries.
9
Q
animal rights
A
The belief that animals have a dignity just as humans do and should be given care and
protection.
10
Q
Assisi Declarations
A
Statements about the need to protect animals and the environment made on behalf of
the different major religions.
11
Q
awe
A
A feeling of respect; insight into meaning greater than oneself.
12
Q
backbone
A
Spinal column.
13
Q
big bang
A
Scientific theory that the universe began with an enormous explosion.
14
Q
biodegradable
A
Able to be broken down by bacteria in the environment.
15
Q
biological weapons
A
Weapons that have living organisms or infective material that can lead to disease or
death.
16
Q
birth
A
Passing down the birth canal and living outside the mother.
17
Q
blessing
A
The idea that God has favoured a couple with a child.
18
Q
brigade
A
A uniformed religious youth organisation for young people.
19
Q
brotherhood
A
People of the similar beliefs regard themselves like brothers.
20
Q
bull fighting
A
Associated in particular with Spain, matadors fight bulls (and eventually kill them) to
entertain the crowds.
21
Q
Carbon emissions
A
Release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon monoxide from vehicles, into the
atmosphere.
22
Q
carbon footprint
A
A measure of the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment, measured in units of carbon dioxide (CO2).
23
Q
chemical weapons
A
Weapons that use chemicals to poison, burn, paralyse humans and the natural
environment.
24
Q
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
A
Weapons that use chemicals to poison, burn, paralyse humans and the natural environment.
25
class
Social group or caste, position in society.
26
climate change
Changes to the climate, believed by some scientists to be irreparably damaging, that
have been caused by human lifestyles.
27
cloning
The scientific method by which animals or plants can be created which have exactly the
same genetic make up as the original, because the DNA of the original is used.
28
colour
Relating to the colour of a person’s skin/ethnicity. Often used as a reason for unfairly
judging others and making uniformed opinions about them.
29
coming of age
A young person’s transition from adolescence to adulthood.
30
commitment
A pledge, promise or affirmation of agreement.
31
compassion
A feeling of sympathy that makes one want to help.
32
conception
The moment the sperm fertilises the egg.
33
confirmation
A sacrament admitting a baptised person to full participation in the church.
34
conflict
Fighting, a state of discord or war.
35
conscience
The inner feeling that you are doing right or wrong.
36
conscientious objectors
People who object to fighting in a war because killing is against their conscience.
37
conservation
Looking after the environment and protecting animals.
38
conventional weapons
Weapons that do not contain biological, chemical or nuclear elements.
39
creation
Belief that God created the universe and everything in it.
40
deforestation
The cutting down of large amounts of forest, usually because of business needs.
41
design
The argument that God designed (made) the Universe because everything is so
intricately made in its detail that it could not have happened by chance.
42
destruction of crops
Food crops destroyed by weather conditions.
43
deterrent
A way of discouraging an enemy attack by being able to retaliate.
44
disability
When a person has a mental or physical condition that limits movement or activities.
45
disarmament
When a country gets rid of its weapons.
46
discrimination
To act against someone on the basis of sex, race, religion, etc. Discrimination is usually
seen as wrong.
47
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid that carries genetic information in a cell.
48
droughts
Long periods of abnormally low rainfall.
49
duty
A moral or legal obligation – an action that must be done.
50
earth summits
Meetings of international leaders aimed at reaching an agreement that will reduce
environmental pollution and climate change.
51
embryo
Fertilised ovum at about 12 –14 days when implanted into the wall of the womb.
52
emissions
A substance discharged into the air.
53
empowerment
An individual having the right to make their own choices and act on them.
54
ensouled
Receives a soul.
55
equality
That people should be given the same rights and opportunities regardless of sex, religion, race, etc.
56
evolution (evolved)
Theory that says living things change gradually over a long time.
57
experience
Something that happens to a person.
58
extinction
When all members of a species have died out and that species will never exist on Earth
again.
59
factory farming
When animals are used for meat or dairy products, but are kept indoors in very small
spaces.
60
faith schools
Schools run by a particular religion rather than by the state.
61
famine
Starvation owing to drastic, far-reaching food shortage.
62
fertility
Being able to conceive a child.
63
foetus
Fertilised ovum from eight weeks.
64
fossil fuels
A hydrocarbon used as a fuel, like natural gas, petroleum, and coal.
65
fostering
The taking of a child from a different family into a family home and bringing them up
with the rest of the new family.
66
freedom of choice
Being able to choose to do whatever you want.
67
gender
Another word for a person’s sex, ie male, female.
68
generation gap
A difference between the views of young people and their parents.
69
genetic modification
Plants and animals that have had their natural make-up altered by scientists.
70
Geneva Conventions
Rules about war and the treatment of prisoners and civilians.
71
gift
The idea that a child is God’s gift to humans.
72
global warming
The scientific concept that the world is getting warmer.
73
greenhouse effect
The trapping of heat from the sun in the lower atmosphere due to an increase in carbon dioxide, methane and other pollutants.
74
groups
People joining together.
75
handicap
A physical or mental disability.
76
harmony
Living in peace with others.
77
holy war
Fighting for a religious cause or God probably controlled by a religious leader.
78
```
Human Fertilisation and
Embryology Act (1990)
```
The amendment to the Abortion Act 1967 that reduced time limit to 24 weeks.
79
hunting
The chasing of animals to kill them, which may be done for food, protection or human
pleasure.
80
individuals
Persons acting on their own.
81
influence of parents
How values and opinions are passed to children.
82
influence of the media
Newspapers, television, films can reinforce or break down stereotypes.
83
initiation
Being entered formally into a religion.
84
international action
Action taken by groups of countries to help conserve the environment.
85
Just War
A war that the Christian Church defines as acceptable: this must fi t certain criteria. The
idea was developed by St Thomas Aquinas and the Roman Catholic Church.
86
justice
Bringing about what is right, fair, according to the law or making up for a wrong that has
been committed.
87
law
Rules in a country that govern how people live.
88
lifestyle
The way people live that reflects their values and attitudes.
89
marginalisation
The social process of becoming or being isolated and left out.
90
media
The organisations which convey information to the public, especially television and the
printed press.
91
miracle of life
The idea that life is wonderful, amazing or special.
92
moral codes
Moral rules by which a person decides to live.
93
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, an alliance formed to prevent war in Europe.
94
natural disasters
Disasters caused by nature, eg earthquakes, volcanoes.
95
natural habitats
The places where species of plants or animals live in the wild.
96
natural resources
Resources that are part of the environment, eg water, minerals, and which are used
and often abused by humans.
97
non-biodegradable
Not able to be broken down by the environment.
98
nuclear proliferation
The increase in the number of states that have the potential to use nuclear weapons.
99
nuclear weapons
Weapons that work by a nuclear reaction that devastate huge areas and kill large
numbers of people.
100
Ohito Declaration
A statement of religious concern for the protection of the environment.
101
oil spills
Leaking of oil into the environment, usually the sea.
102
origins of life
How life began.
103
ozone layer
A layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s radiation; it is
being destroyed by CFCs.
104
pacifism
The belief of people who refuse to take part in war and any other form of violence.
105
peace
An absence of war and conflict, which leads to happiness and harmony.
106
peace keeping force
Troops sent by a group of countries to act as a buffer between warring parties, or to
keep the peace after hostilities cease.
107
peer pressure
Influence exerted by friends on each other.
108
pesticides
Substances (poison) used to destroy insects and pests that attack crops.
109
pollution
The contamination of something, especially the environment.
110
positive discrimination
Treating people more favourably because they have been discriminated against in the
past.
111
poverty
Condition of being without money, food and other basic needs of life (being poor).
112
prejudice
Unfairly judging someone before the facts are known. Holding biased opinions about
an individual or group.
113
preservation
Look after the environment and life in order to keep it safe.
114
pressure groups
Collections of people outside government who campaign for changes in society.
115
Pro-choice
Slogan used for the view that women should have the right to choose whether or not to
have an abortion.
116
Pro-life
Slogan used for the view that supports the right to life of the foetus.
117
proliferation
Spreading to other countries and getting more numerous.
118
Purpose of life
The goal of life and the reason for living.
119
Quakers
Members of the Society of Friends, a Christian denomination.
120
quality of Life
A measure of fulfilment.
121
race
A group of people with the same ethnic background.
122
racism
Showing prejudice against someone because of their ethnic group or nationality.
123
recycling
Reusing old products to make new ones.
124
Red Crescent
A branch of the Red Cross in a Muslim country.
125
Red Cross
A humanitarian agency that helps people suffering from war or other disasters.
126
refugees
People who flee from their homes seeking safety elsewhere.
127
relationships
A relationship is an association among two or more people.
128
religion
A set of beliefs, values and practices usually based on the teaching of a spiritual leader.
129
religious prejudice
Prejudice based on religion or beliefs.
130
responsibility
The legal or moral duty which a person has and as a result may be blamed for it if it is
not carried out.
131
rights
The legal or moral entitlements to do or not to do something.
132
sacred
Holy, precious because given by God.
133
sanctity of life
Life is sacred because it is God-given.
134
scapegoating
Blaming certain groups for problems in society.
135
secular
Not religious.
136
severe weather
Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.
137
sexism
Prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s gender (usually a woman).
138
society
A grouping of people in a country.
139
spirituality
A sense of something which is outside normal human experience.
140
stereotyping
Having an over-simplified mental image of people and applying it to everyone in a
group.
141
stewardship
The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God.
142
suffering
Pain or distress.
143
sustainable development
Development which takes into consideration the impact on the natural world for future
generations.
144
terrorism
When groups use violence, or the threat of violence, to achieve their aims, rather than
using a democratic process. The violence is often indiscriminate and intended to create
an atmosphere of fear.
145
throwaway society
A term referring to the wastefulness.
146
tolerance
Respecting the beliefs and practices of others.
147
toxic chemicals
Poisonous chemicals.
148
United Nations (UN)
An organisation set up at the end of World War II to prevent war and encourage peace
by discussing problems between countries.
149
unwanted children
Unplanned pregnancies.
150
upbringing
A person’s rearing and education during childhood.
151
value of the individual
l The importance of every human being.
152
vegan
A person who will not use any animal product.
153
vegetarianism
The belief held by people that do not eat meat.
154
viable
The point at which a foetus could survive if it were to be born.
155
victims of prejudice
People who have experienced prejudice or discrimination against themselves.
156
victims of war
People who are harmed or suffer as a result of war.
157
vivisection
The cutting up of animals for scientific experiments.
158
‘War on Terror’
Action taken after 9/11 to tighten security, prevent future attacks and destroy terrorist
organisations.
159
weapons of mass
| destruction (WMD)
Weapons that can kill large number of people and/or cause great damage.
160
wonder
Marvelling at the complexity and beauty of the universe.
161
worship
Ceremony or prayers showing love and devotion to a deity, an idol or sacred object.
162
zoos
Places in which wild animals are kept to display to the public.
