Religion and life

4.1 The origins of the Universe

Universe: all of time and space and its contents; includes planets, stars, galaxies, the contents of intergalactic space, the smallest subatomic particles, and all matter and energy.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1 

4.2 The value of the world

Wonder: marvelling at the complexity and beauty of the universe.

Awe: a feeling of devout respect, mixed with fear or wonder.

Responsibility: a duty to care for, or having control over, something or someone.

Stewardship: the idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God.

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" - Psalm 8:3-4

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." - Romans 1:20

Dominion: dominance or power over something; having charge of something or ruling over it.

"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the groung.' " - Genesis 1:28

4.3 The use and abuse of the environment

Environment: the natural world; the surroundings in which someone lives.

Natural resources: materials found in nature - such as oil and trees - that can be used by people.

Abuse: misuse; of the world and the environment.

Sustainable development: building and progress that try to reduce the impact on the natural world for future generations.

Non-renewable resources: things the earth provides that will eventually run out as there is a limited amount of them; examples include oil, coal, gas and other minerals.

Deforestation: the cutting down of large amounts of forest, usually because of business needs.

Renewable energy: energy that comes from a source that does not run out, such as wind or…