APHUG Chapter 7 Vocab

Religion

A system of beliefs and practices that attempts to order life in terms of culturally percieved ultimate priorities

Secularism

The idea that ethical and moral standards should be formulated and adhered to for life on earth, the opposite of theocracy

Monotheistic religion

Religion with only one supreme being

Polytheistic religion

Belief system in which multiple deities are seen as creators of all that exsists in the universe

Animistic religion

Religion that believes that inanimate objects have souls

Universalizing religion

Religion that has the idea that there is one true religion with many universal truths

Ethnic religion

A religion that is particular to one, culturally distinct, group of people

Hinduism

Religion that started in the Indus River Valley that doesn't have one single founder, a single theology, or agreement in it's origin

Caste system

The strict social segregation of people on the basis of ancestry and occupation

Buddhism

Religion with the belief that enlightenment comes from knowledge, elimanation of greed, craving and desire, complete honesty, and never hurting anyone

Shintoism

Religion located in Japan, related to Buddism and focuses on nature and ancestor worship

Taoism

Religion believed to have been founded by Lao-tsu that focuses on the unity of humanity and nature.

Feng shui

The Chinese art and science of placement and orientation of tombs, dwellings, buildings and cities.

Confucianism

A philosophy based of ethics, education and public service based on the writings of Confucius.

Judaism

Religion with it's roots based on the teachings of Abraham

Diaspora

Describes forceful or voluntary dispersal of a people from their homeland to a new place

Zionism

The movement to unite jews and establish a homeland for them

Christianity

Religion based on the teachings of Jesus

Eastern Orthodox Church

One of the three major branches of Christianity, centered in Constantinople

Roman Catholic Church

One of the three major branches of christianity, centered in Rome

Protestant

One of the three major branches of Christianity, following the societal changes in Europe

Islam

Religion based on the teachings of Muhammad

Sunni

Largest branch of Islam, called the orthodox or traditionalist

Shiite

Branch of Islam, represent Persian variations of Islam

Shamanism

Community faith in traditional societies in which people follow their shaman--A religious leader, teacher, healer and visionary.

Pilgrimage

Voluntary travel to a sacred site

Sacred sites

Place or space people infuse with religious meaning

Minaret

Tower attached to a Muslim mosque

Hajj

The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca

Interfaith boundaries

Boundaries between the worlds major faiths

Intrafaith boundaries

Boundaries within a single major faith

Activity space

The space within which daily activity occurs

Religious fundamentalism

Religious movements whose objectives are to return to the foundations of faith

Religious extremism

Religious fundamentalism taken to the point of violence

Sharia law

The system of Islamic law

jihad

A doctrine within Islam that represents a personal or collective struggle on the parts of Muslims to live up to the religious standards set by the Qu'ran

Genocide

the systematic killing of extermination of an entire people or nation