Belief that there should be no use of violence, including military force, under any circumstances
Agnosticism
Belief that it is not possible to know whether God exists or not with any certainty
Apocalyptic warfare (nuclear)
Warfare on such a large scale as to risk destruction of entire populations, civilisations or the human species as a whole; nuclear war can be described as apocalyptic
Annulment
A way to end a marriage by showing that it was never legally valid
Anthropic Principle
A term used to refer to the belief that the universe is structured perfectly to ensure that human life developed
Atheism
Disbelief or lack of belief in God or gods
OCSE
Not getting married or having any sexual relations
Celibacy
Not getting married or having any sexual relations
Charismatic
Lively, energetic worship and preaching
Civil partnership
A legal union with rights similar to those of marriage. Originally for couples who were not able to legally marry, for example same sex couples.
Cohabitation
When a couple are living together and having a sexual relationship without being married
Conditional pacifism
Belief that peace is the best option but that there are times when violence may be necessary when any alternatives would be worse than fighting
Contraception
Methods to prevent pregnancy taking place from sex, such as the contraceptive pill and condoms, literally 'against conception'
Conscience
An inner sense of knowing what is right and wrong, which helps guide people to be good in their lives
Conventional warfare
Warfare using conventional or standard weaponry wielded by clearly defined armed forces using weapons that are not biological, chemical or nuclear
Conversion
Changing from one religion to another or becoming a member of a religious community having previously had no religion
Cosmological argument
An attempt to prove the existence of God through the fact that the universe exists
Design argument
The argument for the existence of God from the observation that the natural world has an order and complexity that must have been designed for a purpose
Divorce
The legal ending of a marriage
Ecstatic (religious experience)
A state of excitement and joy, involving an overwhelming experience of God
Equality
Being equal in terms of status and rights
Euthanasia
The deliberate act of ending someone's life to relieve them of suffering. From the Greek word euthanatos, which means 'easy death'
Exclusivism
In the context of religion, it describes the position that only one set of religious beliefs and practices are, or can be, true and or right
Fidelity
Faithfulness to a person, usually refers to a spouse or sexual partner
Forgiveness
Making a choice to let go of wrongs that have been done, a change in feelings and attitude overcoming negative feelings
Genetic Manipulation
Using technology to alter DNA or other genetic material in order to create changes in the organism the genes belong to
Humanism
A way of seeing and reacting to the world through human knowledge; science, logic and reason, and rejecting religion
Humanity
A collective term for all humans, the human race
Holy War
War in the name of religion, declared by a religious group or fought for a religious cause
Inclusivism
Belief that although there is only one true religion, others contain aspects of the truth to a greater or lesser degree and so can help someone to move towards salvation or liberation
Inter-faith dialogue
The communication, dialogue and cooperation between different faiths and religious groups. The aim is not to remove differences but to develop understanding, to promote tolerance and respect
Intra-faith communication
Communication, dialogue and cooperation between different groups within the same religion, for example in Christianity between Protestants and Roman Catholics
Just War theory
The theory that it is justified to fight a war under certain criteria; that only certain actions should be taken within and after the war
Marriage
A legally recognised relationship and commitment between two people, establishing rights and obligations
Miracles
Strange, extraordinary and positive events, that cannot be explained by natural means
Mystical
Mysterious and spiritual. Having a sense of awe and looking for the mysteries of faith
Pacifism
Belief that peace is preferable to violence and war, and that any disputes should be settled by peaceful methods
Puraksm
The belief that all religious positions and beliefs are of equal value and will eventually lead to
Proselytisation
The act of attempting to persuade someone to convert to your faith or religion