GCSE Religious Studies Eduqas
Theme 2: Life and Death
Key Terms:
Afterlife- Life after death; the belief that life continues after physical death. Christians believe that if you
have led a good life, you can be with God in heaven in the afterlife.
Environmental sustainability- Ensuring that the demands placed on natural resources can be met
without reducing capacity to allow all people and other species of animals, as well as plant life, to live
well, now and in the future.
Euthanasia- Sometimes referred to as ‘mercy killing.’ The act of killing or permitting the death of a
person who is suffering from a serious illness. Roman Catholics disagree with euthanasia as they believe
that it disrupts God’s plan.
Evolution- Darwin's theory. The process by which different living creatures are believed to have
developed from earlier less complex forms during the history of the earth.
Abortion- When a pregnancy is ended so that it doesn’t result in the birth of a child. Roman Catholics
disagree with abortion as they believe that it disrupts God’s plan.
Quality of life- the extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable. Quality of life may be discussed
when debating topics such as euthanasia, as it can be said that quality of life is more important than the
sanctity of life.
Sanctity of life- The belief that life is precious, or sacred. For many religious believers, only human life
holds this special status.
Soul- The spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects someone to God. The soul is often regarded as
non-physical and as living on after physical death, in an afterlife.
, 1.Origin of the Universe:
Big Bang Theory:
Universe did have a beginning.
Time and space began 15 billion years ago.
The universe began from a ‘singularity.’ This ‘singularity’ became infinitely hot and dense and as
it expanded, sub-atomic particles and then atoms started to appear. This led to the formation of
stars and planets.
Universe will continue to expand for billions of years, becoming bigger and colder.
Evidence- background radiation, thought to be left over from initial expansion at the start of the
universe.
Religious reactions to the Big Bang Theory:
Accept:
Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs- believe world has been formed, destroyed and re-formed many times- fits
with theory that universe is in a constant state of development.
Liberal Christians, Jews and Muslims- accept this is a way that God may have chosen to allow for
universe to create intelligent life.
Don’t accept:
Religious Creationists- contradicts the belief that God has formed all life through his own power.
Theory of Evolution:
♦ Darwin’s Theory.
♦ Wrote ‘On the Origins of Species’ and ‘The Theory of Evolution.’
♦ Life has arisen through the slow, natural process of evolution.
♦ Survival of the fittest- natural selection.
♦ Earth must be many millions of years old.
Theme 2: Life and Death
Key Terms:
Afterlife- Life after death; the belief that life continues after physical death. Christians believe that if you
have led a good life, you can be with God in heaven in the afterlife.
Environmental sustainability- Ensuring that the demands placed on natural resources can be met
without reducing capacity to allow all people and other species of animals, as well as plant life, to live
well, now and in the future.
Euthanasia- Sometimes referred to as ‘mercy killing.’ The act of killing or permitting the death of a
person who is suffering from a serious illness. Roman Catholics disagree with euthanasia as they believe
that it disrupts God’s plan.
Evolution- Darwin's theory. The process by which different living creatures are believed to have
developed from earlier less complex forms during the history of the earth.
Abortion- When a pregnancy is ended so that it doesn’t result in the birth of a child. Roman Catholics
disagree with abortion as they believe that it disrupts God’s plan.
Quality of life- the extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable. Quality of life may be discussed
when debating topics such as euthanasia, as it can be said that quality of life is more important than the
sanctity of life.
Sanctity of life- The belief that life is precious, or sacred. For many religious believers, only human life
holds this special status.
Soul- The spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects someone to God. The soul is often regarded as
non-physical and as living on after physical death, in an afterlife.
, 1.Origin of the Universe:
Big Bang Theory:
Universe did have a beginning.
Time and space began 15 billion years ago.
The universe began from a ‘singularity.’ This ‘singularity’ became infinitely hot and dense and as
it expanded, sub-atomic particles and then atoms started to appear. This led to the formation of
stars and planets.
Universe will continue to expand for billions of years, becoming bigger and colder.
Evidence- background radiation, thought to be left over from initial expansion at the start of the
universe.
Religious reactions to the Big Bang Theory:
Accept:
Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs- believe world has been formed, destroyed and re-formed many times- fits
with theory that universe is in a constant state of development.
Liberal Christians, Jews and Muslims- accept this is a way that God may have chosen to allow for
universe to create intelligent life.
Don’t accept:
Religious Creationists- contradicts the belief that God has formed all life through his own power.
Theory of Evolution:
♦ Darwin’s Theory.
♦ Wrote ‘On the Origins of Species’ and ‘The Theory of Evolution.’
♦ Life has arisen through the slow, natural process of evolution.
♦ Survival of the fittest- natural selection.
♦ Earth must be many millions of years old.
