religious belief - a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"persecution - the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion) vigil, watch - a devotional watch (especially on the eve of a religious festival) consecration - (religion) sanctification of something by setting it apart (usually with religious rites) as dedicated to God; "the Cardinal attended the consecration of the church" toleration - official recognition of the right of individuals to hold dissenting opinions (especially in religion) traditionalism - adherence to tradition (especially in cultural or religious matters) censer, thurible - a container for burning incense (especially one that is swung on a chain in a religious ritual) cloister - a courtyard with covered walks (as in religious institutions) habit - (religion) a distinctive attire (as the costume of a religious order) orthodoxy - the quality of being orthodox (especially in religion) meditation - (religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects) belief - any cognitive content held as true apophatism - the religious belief that God cannot be known but is completely `other' and must be described in negative terms (in terms of what God is not) cataphatism - the religious belief that God has given enough clues to be known to humans positively and affirmatively (e.g., God created Adam `in his own image') doctrine of analogy, analogy - the religious belief that between creature and creator no similarity can be found so great but that the dissimilarity is always greater; language can point in the right direction but any analogy between God and humans will always be inadequate ecclesiasticism - religion appropriate to a church and to ecclesiastical principles and practices nature worship - a system of religion that deifies and worships natural forces and phenomena revealed religion - a religion founded primarily on the revelations of God to humankind theism - the doctrine or belief in the existence of a God or gods Christian religion, Christianity - a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior Hindooism, Hinduism - a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme beingof many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils Brahmanism, Brahminism - the religious beliefs of ancient India as prescribed in the sacred Vedas and Brahmanas and Upanishads Jainism - religion founded in the 6th century BC as a revolt against Hinduism; emphasizes asceticism and immortality and transmigration of the soul; denies existence of a perfect or supreme being Sikhism - the doctrines of a monotheistic religion founded in northern India in the 16th century by Guru Nanak and combining elements of Hinduism and Islam Buddhism - the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth Hsuan Chiao, Taoism - popular Chinese philosophical system based in teachings of Lao-tzu but characterized by a pantheism of many gods and the practices of alchemy and divination and magic Shintoism, Shinto - the ancient indigenous religion of Japan lacking formal dogma; characterized by a veneration of nature spirits and of ancestors Manichaeanism, Manichaeism - a religion founded by Manes the third century; a synthesis of Zoroastrian dualism between light and dark and Babylonian folklore and Buddhist ethics and superficial elements of Christianity; spread widely in the Roman Empire but had largely died out by 1000 |