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