Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
These terms appear in the SpeciÞcation and so knowledge and understanding of their
meaning may be required in an examination.
Term
DeÞnition
abortion
The deliberate termination (ending) of a pregnancy, usually before the foetus is
twenty-four weeks old.
absolute morality
What is morally right and wrong applies to all circumstances, at all times.
abuse
Misuse of the world and the environment.
active euthanasia
The ending of a life by a deliberate action, such as by giving a patient a fatal injection.
adultery
Sex outside marriage where at least one of the couple is already married to someone
else.
aid
To help or assist people in need, usually by gifts or money. Most people think of this as
donating to charities that provide help to the poor, particularly in the developing world.
artiÞcial insemination
Sperm medically inserted into the vagina to assist pregnancy.
artiÞcial insemination by
donor (DI/AID)
When a woman is made pregnant by the sperm of a man other than her partner, but not
through having sexual relations with him.
artiÞcial insemination by
husband (AIH)
When a woman is made pregnant by the sperm of her husband, but not through having
sexual relations with him.
CAFOD
Catholic Fund for Overseas Development – a private charity established by the Bishops
of England and Wales to bring aid to less economically developed countries.
capital punishment
Form of punishment in which a prisoner is put to death for crimes committed. The death
penalty.
chastity
Sexual purity. Not having sex before marriage.
Christian Aid
A charity working on behalf of the British and Irish churches in combating poverty
throughout the world; campaigns under the slogan ‘we believe in life before death’.
civil marriage
Non-religious marriage ceremony in a marriage registry ofÞce or other licensed venue,
eg an hotel.
civil partnership
Legal registration and recognition of a same-sex partnership.
climate change
Changes to the climate, believed by some scientists to be irreparably damaging, that
have been caused by human lifestyles.
cloning
The scientiÞc 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.
cohabitation
A couple living together and having a sexual relationship without being married to one
another.
colour
Relating to the colour of a person’s skin/ethnicity. Often used as a reason for unfairly
judging others and making uninformed opinions about them.
community service
A form of punishment in which the criminal has to perform tasks useful to society, rather
than going to prison.
conservation
Looking after the environment and protecting animals.
conservation projects
Projects set up to protect the environment.
contraception
The artiÞcial and chemical methods used to prevent pregnancy taking place.
deterrence
To put people off committing crimes. One of the aims of punishment.
disability
When a person has a mental or physical condition that limits movement or activities.
disability discrimination
Acting against someone on the grounds of physical or mental limitations.
discrimination
To act against someone on the basis of sex, race, religion, etc. Discrimination is usually
seen as wrong.
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
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Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
These terms appear in the SpeciÞcation and so knowledge and understanding of their
meaning may be required in an examination.
Term
DeÞnition
divorce
Legal ending of a marriage.
earth summits
Meetings of international leaders aimed at reaching an agreement that will reduce
environmental pollution and climate change.
embryo
Fertilised ovum at about 12 – 14 days when implanted into the wall of the womb.
embryonic research
(embryology)
The study of human embryos.
emergency aid
Also known as short term aid. Help given to communities in a time of disaster or crisis,
eg food during a famine, shelter after an earthquake.
the environment
A term used to refer to the planet on which we live and its resources.
environmental
conservation
Looking after the natural resources of the planet by taking steps to protect them.
equality
That people should be given the same rights and opportunities regardless of sex,
religion, race, etc.
euthanasia
Inducing a painless death, with compassion, to ease suffering. From the Greek
meaning ‘Good Death’. Some Christians believe it is ‘mercy killing’ while others see it
as taking life.
Fair trade
A method of trade in which the producer of the product receives a fair payment for his/
her product, eg Fair trade bananas.
Þne
A form of punishment in which an offender pays a sum of money.
foetus
Fertilised ovum from eight weeks.
gender
Another word for a person’s sex, ie male, female.
gender discrimination
Acting against someone on the grounds of his/her sex.
global concerns
Things which affect the whole world and all of the people in it.
heterosexual
relationships
A sexual relationship with someone of the opposite sex.
homosexual
relationships
A sexual relationship with someone of the same sex.
hospices
Special places to which people go to die with dignity.
human genetic
engineering
The modiÞcation of gene make-up to change the features of a human.
hybrid embryos
An embryo produced by cloning techniques for research purposes that consists of
human and animal material.
imprisonment
When a person is put in jail for committing a crime.
in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
A procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and fertilised with
sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg is then replaced into the women’s uterus.
justice
Bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law or making up for a wrong that
has been committed.
‘Just’ War
A war that the Christian Church deÞnes as acceptable: this must Þt certain criteria. The
idea was developed by St Thomas Aquinas and the Roman Catholic Church.
long term aid
Helping needy people to help themselves by providing the tools, education and funding
for projects. This type of aid is given by Christian Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD and Trocaire to
the poor overseas.
46924/SpecA/2
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
These terms appear in the SpeciÞcation and so knowledge and understanding of their
meaning may be required in an examination.
Term
DeÞnition
marital breakdown
When a husband and wife no longer get on with each other, leading to the end of the
marriage by divorce or separation.
marriage
A legal union between a man and a woman.
marriage ceremony
The ceremony in which a man and woman marry.
medically prescribed
drugs
Drugs prescribed by a doctor as part of medical treatment.
morality
A system of ethics, about what is right or wrong.
natural habitats
The places where species of plants or animals live in the wild.
natural resources
Resources that are part of the environment, eg water, minerals, and which are used
and often abused by humans.
non-voluntary
euthanasia
When a patient’s life is ended because it is felt that to keep them alive is to make them
suffer, but the patient is incapable of giving consent to the decision (eg he/she is in a
coma).
nuclear proliferation
The increase in the number of states that have the potential to use nuclear weapons.
nuclear war
A war in which the participants use nuclear weapons.
paciÞsm
The belief that it is unacceptable to take part in war and any other form of violence.
passive euthanasia
Allowing a terminally or incurably ill person to die by withdrawing or withholding medical
treatment that would only prolong the suffering and have no real beneÞt.
peace
An absence of war and conßict, which leads to happiness and harmony.
pollution
The contamination of something, especially the environment.
poverty
Condition of being without money, food and other basic needs of life (being poor).
prejudice
Unfairly judging someone before the facts are known. Holding biased opinions about an
individual or group.
pro-choice
Slogan used for the view that women should have the right to choose whether or not to
have an abortion.
pro-life
Slogan used for the view that supports the right to life of the foetus.
protection
To stop the criminal hurting anyone in society. An aim of punishment.
punishment
That which is done to people because they have broken a law.
quality of life
A measure of fulÞlment.
race
A group of people with the same ethnic background.
racial discrimination
Discrimination against someone on the grounds of race.
reconciliation
1. A sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church.
2. When two people or groups of people who have disagreed or fought with each other
make up.
recycling
Re-using materials, eg paper, plastic, in he interests of environmental conservation.
reformation
To change someone’s behaviour for the better. An aim of punishment.
relative morality
What is morally right or wrong in any situation depends upon its particular
circumstances.
religious discrimination
Discrimination against someone on the grounds of religion.
re-marriage
When people who have been married before marry again.
reproductive cloning
The use of cloning techniques to produce a baby.
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
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Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
These terms appear in the SpeciÞcation and so knowledge and understanding of their
meaning may be required in an examination.
Term
DeÞnition
retribution
To ‘get your own back’ on the criminal, based on the Old Testament teaching of ‘an
eye for an eye’. An aim of punishment aimed at being proportionate to the offence
committed.
sanctity of life
Life is sacred because it is God-given.
saviour siblings
A child conceived by IVF with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to save the life of an
incurably ill sibling through the use of the cord blood.
self-determination
Refers to the right to make decisions for oneself in life. It is an argument use by those
who agree with voluntary euthanasia.
somatic cell therapy
The use of genetic engineering to modify non-reproductive cells in order to treat genetic
disease. A form of gene therapy.
social drugs
Legal drugs which are still addictive, such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, etc.
stem cell cloning
Removing cells from a patient and treating them in a laboratory in order to produce
stem cells which may be used to treat disorders, e.g. Alzheimer’s disease.
stewardship
The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God.
surrogacy
A form of fertility treatment in which a woman’s egg is fertilised artiÞcially by another
woman’s partner or an embryo from another couple is created through IVF and then
implanted into the ‘host’ woman. The woman carries the baby throughout pregnancy
and gives it to the other couple after birth.
Tearfund
A Christian relief and development charity.
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.
therapeutic cloning
Another term for stem cell cloning.
Trocaire
1. Irish word for mercy.
2. Charity established by the Irish Bishops to help alleviate poverty in the developing
world.
voluntary euthanasia
When a terminally ill person asks a doctor or a friend to help them die peacefully and
with dignity. It can be called ‘mercy killing’ or ‘assisted suicide’.
world poverty
The idea that the majority of the world’s population actually live in conditions of extreme
need or hardship.
46924/SpecA/2
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
Useful terms (teachers might wish to include these in the delivery of the unit)
Term
DeÞnition
acid rain
Rain made acid by contamination through pollution in the atmosphere as the result of
emissions from factories, vehicles, power-stations, etc.
Anglican
A member of the Church of England or the Churches worldwide that are linked to it.
annulment
Declaration that a marriage is invalid.
Assisi Declarations
Statements about the need to protect animals and the environment made on behalf of
the different major religions, including Christianity.
Bible
Sacred book of Christians containing both the Old and New Testaments.
biodegradable
Able to be broken down by bacteria in the environment.
blastocyst
Fertilised ovum at about 5 – 7 days.
celibacy
1. Not having sex.
2. Decision to remain unmarried or refrain from having sex for religious reasons.
Christian
Someone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows the religion based on his teachings.
Church of England
The largest Protestant Church in England, which retains many Catholic features. It is
sometimes referred to as the Anglican Church.
commandment
1. A rule for living, given by God.
2. One of the Ten Commandments.
3. Jesus said that the greatest commandments were love of God and of neighbour.
compassion
A feeling of pity that makes one want to help.
debt
Owing something (usually money) to someone else.
deforestation
The cutting down of large amounts of forest, usually because of business needs.
denomination
A distinct group within the Christian faith, with its own organisation and traditions.
Some of the major Christian denominations in Britain and Ireland including the
Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican churches.
disarmament
When a country gets rid of its weapons.
disease
A sickness or illness.
drug abuse
Using drugs in a way which harms the user.
encyclical
A papal letter on a speciÞc subject addressed to lay Roman Catholics and the clergy.
extinction
When all members of a species have died out and that species will never exist on Earth
again.
family life
The normal events, actions and relationships that take place within a family.
forgiveness
Showing grace and mercy and pardoning people for what they have done wrong.
Golden Rule
Jesus’ teaching to ‘treat others as you would wish to be treated’.
global warming
The scientiÞc concept that the world is getting warmer.
Greenhouse effect
The trapping of heat from the sun in the lower atmosphere, due to an increase in
carbon dioxide, methane and other pollutants.
hard drugs
Drugs which lead to dependency and cause severe harm to the body.
Jesus
1st century Jewish teacher and holy man, believed by Christians to be the Son of God.
life imprisonment
A prison sentence that (theoretically) keeps people in jail until they die.
life support machine
A machine that keeps people alive when they would otherwise die.
mercy killing
Term sometimes used for euthanasia.
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
46924/SpecA/2
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
Useful terms (teachers might wish to include these in the delivery of the unit)
Term
DeÞnition
Methodist
An evangelical Protestant Church. It began when John Wesley and his followers broke
away from the Church of England in the 19th century.
minorities
Groups of people who differ from the majority of others in terms of race, religion,
language or opinion, etc, sometimes the victims of discrimination.
natural disasters
Disasters caused by nature, eg earthquakes, volcanoes.
New Testament
The books of the Bible concerning the life and teachings of Jesus and his followers.
non-biodegradable
Not able to be broken down by the environment.
non-medical use of
drugs
The taking of drugs for reasons other than because of medical need.
Old Testament
The books of the Bible, written in Hebrew and Aramaic, about the Jews before the time
of Jesus. It speaks of God’s covenant relationship with his people.
offender
Someone who has done wrong, eg broken the law.
ozone layer
A layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s radiation; it is
being destroyed by CFCs.
pesticides
A substance (poison) used to destroy insects and pests that attack crops.
the Pope
The head of the Roman Catholic Church. The Successor of Peter who was appointed to
lead the Church of Jesus.
primitive streak
The appearance at 14 days after conception of what will develop into the spine.
racism
Another term for racial prejudice.
recreational drugs
Drugs taken by people for fun.
respect for life
Treating life as having value.
Roman Catholic
The tradition within the Christian Church which is led by the Pope. Seven sacraments
are celebrated.
secular
Non religious.
short-term aid
Giving needy people emergency donations, eg food in times of disaster. Sometimes
referred to as emergency aid.
sin
Behaviour which is against God’s laws and wishes/against principles of morality. A
thought, word or action which is wrong, which people know is wrong and which people
freely choose.
soft drugs
Illegal drugs that are not believed by the users to lead to dependency or serious side
effects.
surrogate mother
A woman who has a baby for another woman.
test-tube baby
Term used for a baby created outside of the woman’s body.
unforgiving
A refusal to forgive that can be considered to be harsh or unfair.
viable
The point at which a foetus could survive if it were to be born.
virgin
A person who has never had sexual intercourse.
zygote
A newly fertilised ovum.
46924/SpecA/2
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
Notes:
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
46924/SpecA/2
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics
Notes:
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
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