World Religions and Indigenous Belief Systems Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining key terms, practices, texts, and concepts across South American indigenous religion, Islam, Judaism, African Traditional Religion, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Incas

A major Indigenous civilization of South America whose empire was centred in the Andes, particularly in present-day Peru.

Extirpation Campaigns

Official colonial missionary policies involving the identification, confiscation, and public destruction of Indigenous Andean 'idols'.

Chancas

Small sacred stone figures kept inside Andean family homes, considered lineage or family gods passed through the male line to protect the family and ayllu.

Ayllu

The extended family unit in Andean culture protected by lineage gods like Chancas.

Eid al-Fitr

The Festival of Breaking the Fast in Islam, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Adha

The Festival of Sacrifice in Islam, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

Suhoor

The meal consumed by Muslims at dawn (Fajr) to begin their daily fast during Ramadan.

Iftar

The meal consumed by Muslims at sunset (Maghrib) to end their daily fast during Ramadan.

Sharia

The divine law of Allah as given in the Quran and Sunnah, considered perfect and unchangeable.

Fiqh

The human understanding and interpretation of Sharia by Islamic scholars, which varies across schools of thought like Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali.

Lumen Gentium (1964)

One of the two important Vatican II documents concerning Islam, published in 1964.

Nostra Aetate (1965)

One of the two important Vatican II documents concerning Islam, published in 1965.

Zionism

The movement supporting the establishment and preservation of a Jewish homeland, particularly in the historic Land of Israel, connected in its modern development with Theodor Herzl.

Mishnah

The foundational written collection of Jewish oral laws that organizes centuries of traditions into a systematic framework.

Talmud

The central text of Rabbinic Judaism that builds on the Mishnah with extensive commentary, debate, and interpretation.

Messiah (Judaism)

In Jewish tradition, a future human leader who will bring justice, peace, and restoration.

Shema

A central Jewish declaration of faith found in the Torah that affirms the oneness of God.

Omnipotent

The attribute of God being all-powerful in Jewish theology.

Omniscient

The attribute of God being all-knowing in Jewish theology.

Omnipresent

The attribute of God being present everywhere at all times in Jewish theology.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, which is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar spent fasting, praying, and seeking forgiveness for sins.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible, which is divided into three distinct sections: Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim.

Torah

The Law/Teachings section of the Tanakh.

Nevi'im

The Prophets section of the Tanakh.

Ketuvim

The Writings section of the Tanakh.

Four Theological Pillars of ATR

The four interconnected pillars of African Traditional Religion consisting of God (or the Supreme Being), divinities (or spirits), ancestors, and human beings (or community).

Pantheon (ATR)

A variety of divinities across Africa that serve the one Supreme God as ministers and include deifications of heroes and ancestors.

Ancestors (ATR)

Departed spiritual beings who serve as intermediaries between God and people, continuing to play an active role in the family and tribe.

Tao (Dao)

Meaning 'The Way,' encompassing both philosophical and religious aspects in Chinese tradition.

Daodejing

The most famous Taoist text.

True Man (Zhenren)

In Chuang-Tzu's teachings, a person who lives naturally and freely according to the Tao, free from selfish desires and fixed opinions.

Fixed Mind (Cheng Hsin)

In Chuang-Tzu's philosophy, the state of having rigid opinions and judgments about what is right or wrong.

Wu-Wei

A core Taoist concept from Lao-tzu meaning non-forcing or effortless action.

Tian (Heaven)

In Confucianism, the highest source of moral order and ultimate reality that establishes justice, truth, and harmony.

Li

In Confucian philosophy, proper conduct encompassing rituals, ceremonies, manners, family duties, and social etiquette.

Junzi

A Superior Person or Gentleman in Confucianism, defined by moral character and virtue rather than wealth or noble birth.

Filial Piety (Xiao)

The foundational Confucian virtue of showing love, respect, and obedience to parents and elders.