Religion and Science Flashcards
The study of the origins and nature of the universe.
COSMOLOGY
The scientific account of the origin of the universe best supported by the available evidence
THE BIG BANG THEORY
The cosmological theory that the universe appears to be specifically designed to support human life
ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE
The scientific account of the origin of life on earth best supported by the available evidence; first publicised by Charles Darwin in the 19th Century
EVOLUTION
The evolutionary principle that tiny differences between creatures of the same species can sometimes make one individual better suited to their environment than others, thus increasing the likelihood that it will survive and reproduce
NATURAL SELECTION
The Biblical account of the origin of the universe and life on Earth in Genesis 1-2, describing God’s creation of the world in seven days
CREATION STORY
A Latin phrase meaning ‘out of nothing’. Christians traditionally believe that God created the world in this way.
EX NIHILO
Means ‘power’ and ‘ownership’. Christians traditionally believe that God gave humans this over the creation.
DOMINION
The Christian argument that ‘dominion’ means a duty of care to animals and the environment, not the right to exploit them for our own purposes
STEWARDSHIP
The use of animals for medical research with a view to producing treatments for human illnesses
MEDICAL TESTING
The use of animals for research into the safety and effectiveness of cosmetics for humans
COSMETIC TESTING
The living world and everything in it (the creation, according to Christians)
THE ENVIRONMENT
Natural products useful to humans (i.e. coal, gas, oil)
NATURAL RESOURCES
The argument that, owing to human impact on the planet, the temperature on Earth is rising to dangerous levels
CLIMATE CHANGE
The attempt to protect the environment in its present state for the sake of future generations
CONSERVATION
