WHGO

geographic range

A religion and how far it expands

Universalizing Religion

A religion that attempts to appeal to all people, not just those living in a particular location.

Tribal religions

Special forms of ethnic religions distinguished by their small size, their unique identity with localized culture groups not yet fully absorbed into modern society, and their close ties to nature.

Pantheism

The belief in opposition to Christian doctrine, that God and nature are one and the same.

religious hearths

The place where a religion is born.

Syncretism

a blending of beliefs and practices from different religions into one faith

ethnic religion

a religion that is particular to one culturally distinct group of people

Polytheistic

belief in more than one god

Monotheism

belief in only one god

animistic

the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls

cultural diffusion

the spreading of ideas or products from one culture to another