religion midterm study guide
Myth
- a symbolic narrative, usually of unknown origin and at least partly traditional, that relates actual events that is associated with religious belief - provide justification for a ritual
Panthesim
- belief that there is no god but combined substance, forces, and laws that are manifested in the existing universe
Rite of exchange and communion
- exchange (worshipers make offerings to a deity) - form of sacrifice meant to praise, please, or placate divine powers
Church
- larger religious social structure - professionalized clerical - higher inclusivity - one among many - weak discipline - not totalistic - low tension
Calendar/Seasonal rituals
- periodic rites to secure the well-being of both community and individual - associated with seasons, cycles of moon and sun, agriculture cycles - commemorate events in history and/or mythic power
Sky Father/Sky King
- recurring concept in polytheistic religions of a sky god who is addressed as a father - paternal deities
Sect
- smaller religious social structure - lay-led or egalitarian w/ leadership - higher exclusivity - totalistic - strong discipline - high tension
The Sacred
- something that is dedicated to the service of god, entitled to religious respect
routinzation of charisma
- the transformation of charismatic authority into some combination of traditional and bureaucratic authority - allow religions to live on
The Profane
-not concerned with religion or religious purposes, not holy
Axis Mundi
the "hub" of the universe,
Dualism
the belief in two supreme opposed powers or gods, or set of divine or demonic beings that caused the world to exist
Of Soul
the immortality of the soul, heaven and hell
Mysterium tremendum et fascinans
the mystery of God or of existence, something so big you want to be a part of it reminds you how small you are, desire to worship
Hell
the negative form of afterlife, lots of suffering
Reincarnation
the spirit or the soul after biological death, begins a new life (could be human, animal, spirit, etc)
Life-crisis ritual
the transition from one mode of life to another ex: illness, marriage, etc
Divine Command
theory that morality is ultimately based on the commands or character of gods (god commands humans)
Ethical Prophets
Since he or she is preaching what God revealed to him or her personally, the prophet demands obedience
Doctrine
a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.
Traditional
a belief, custom, or way of doing something that has existed for a long time
Piacular rite (rite of atonement)
a ceremony that deals with calamity, mourning, or disquiet
Life-cycle ritual
a ceremony to mark a change in a person's biological or social status at various phases throughout life
Authority
a form of government in which a god or a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler
Monarchical polytheism
a form of polytheism, with one superior god
Icon
a representation of a sacred personages or events in mural painting, mosaic, or wood
Canon (of scripture)
a set of texts (or books) which a particular religious community regards as authoritative scripture
Natural Law
all people have inherent rights, conferred not by legislation but by god, nature, or reasons
representational
an icon that DOESN"T connects to the thing it is representing there is no correlation ex: red octagon meaning stop
presentational
an icon that connects to the thing it is representing there is a correlation ex: fish icon for water
Monasticism
an institutionalized religious practice or movement whose members attempt to live by a rule requiring work that goes beyond those of the ordinary spiritual leaders of their religions ex: monks
Ritual
any repetitive or patterned behavior that is prescribed by a religious institution, belief, or custom with the intention of communicating with a deity
voluntary religious communities
based off of common beliefs, special functions, or sacred powers that extend beyond the natural ties of kinship or geography
Soteriology
beliefs and doctrines concerning salvation in any specific religion, as well as the study of the subject
Immortality
eternal life
Charasmatic
exercising a compelling charm that inspires devotion in others
Earth Mother/ Mother Goddess
goddess who represents motherhood, fertility, creation and embodies the bounty of the earth
symbol
iconic representation intended to represent a specific religion, or a specific concept w/ in a given religion
Of Body
immortality of the body, daoism
exemplary prophet
man or woman, who, by personal example, "demonstrates to others the way to religious salvation."
Natural religious community
membership based largely on kinship ties, race, nationality, language, or geography
underworld
neutral just where you go after death not good or bad
Polytheisim
Belief in many gods
Monotheism
Belief in one God
Sacred Space
places and sites that have special religious significances and spiritual qualities
Daoism
polytheistic religion in China that believes in immortality of the body x
Scripture
sacred religious text
Self Annihilation
seen in Buddhism goal to reach nirvana get rid of all attachments and desires, including attachment to yourself
liberation
seen in hinduism ultimate goal only seen in religions that believe in reincarnation achieve this by showing devotion to the religion
Sacred Time
special time of ritual and festival, when mythic events are made present once more
Cosmogony
A philosophical, religious, or mythical explanation of the origin of the universe
Heaven/Paradise
A state of eternal happiness in the presence of a God
Animism
The belief that all natural things including human beings, animals, plants, rocks, lakes, etc share one vital quality - spirit or soul that energies them