religion
a system of beliefs and practices (rituals) that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a single moral community
theologian
study specific religious doctrines or belief systems
sacred canopy
a sheltering fabric hanging over people that gives them security and provides answers for the questions of life
faith
unquestioning belief that does not require proof or scientific evidence
sacred
aspects of life that are extraordinary or supernatural
profane
the everyday, secular (wordly) aspects of life
rituals
regularly repeated and carefully prescribed forms of behavior that symbolize a cherished value or belief
religious marketplace
religious institutions and traditions compete for adherents, and worshippers shop for a religion in much the same way that consumers decide what goods and services they will purchase in the marketplace
simple supernaturalism
the belief tht supernatural forces affect people's lives either positively or negatively
animism
the belief that plants, animals, or other elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits or life forces taht have an impact on events in society
theism
a belief in a god or gods
monotheism
a belief in a single, supreme being or god who is responsible for significant events such as the creation of the world
polytheism
a belief in more than one god
nontheistic religion
a religion based on a belief in divine spiritual forces such as sacred principles of thought and conduct, rather than a god or gods
secularization
the process by which religious beliefs, practices, and institutions lose their significance in sectors of society and culture
collective representations
group-held meanings that express something important about the group itself
civil religion
the set of beliefs, rituals, and symbols that makes sacred the values of the society and places the nation in the context of the ultimate system of meaning
ideologies
systematic views of the way the world ought to be
predestination
the belief that even before they are born, all people are divided into two groups, the saved and the damned, and only God knows who will go to heaven and who will go to hell
Vedas
Hindu texts and hymns
ethical religion
a system of beliefs that calls upon adherents to follow an ideal way of life
jivas
Hindu souls
moska
limitless atmosphere of illumination
dharma
duties or responsibilities
samsara
reincarnation
karma
deed or act; doctrine of moral law of cause and effect
nirvana
becoming liberated from the world by uniting the individual souls with the universal soul
enlightenment
an awakening to the true nature of reality
Buddha
the Enlightened One" or "the Awakened One
Theravadin Buddhism
focuses on the life of the Buddha and seeks to follow his teachings
Mahayana Buddhism
primarily focuses on meditation and the Four Noble Truths
Vajrayana
incorporates the first two branches of Buddhism along with some aspects of Hinduism
ahimsa
nonharmfulness; discourages violence and warfare
Confucianism
family of scholars
Analects
holds the sayings of Confucius
junzi
model persons for Confucianism
Li
righteousness or propriety
ren (jen)
having deep empathy or compassion for other humans
rabbi
a teacher or ordained interpreter and leader of Judaism
zionism
the movement to establish and maintain a Jewish homeland in Israel
Qur'an
holy book of Muslims
jihad
struggle; core belief of Islam
eclesia
a religious organization that is so integrated into the dominant culture that it claims as its membership all members of a society
church
a large, bureaucratically organized religious organization that tends ot seek accommodation with the larger society in order to maintain some degree of control over it
denomination
a large organized religion characterized by accommodation to society but frequently lacking in ability or intention to dominate society
religious pluralism
a situation in which many religious groups exist because they hav a special appeal to specific segments of the population
sect
relatively small religious group that has broken away from another religious organization to renew what it views as the original version of the faith
cult
a loosely organized religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of society
secularization
the decline in the significance of the sacred in daily life
fundamentalism
a traditional religious doctrine that is conservative, is typically opposed to modernity, and rejects "worldly pleasures" in favor of otherwordly spirituality
secular humanism
the belief that humans can become better through their own effort rather than belief in God and religious conversion
liberation theology
the Christian movement that advocates from political subjugation within a traditional perspective and the need for social transformation to benefit the poort and downtrodden