Religion Chapters 4 & 5 Vocab

Theological virtues

The name given for the God-given virtues of faith, hope, and love (charity). These virtues enables us to know God as God and lead us to union with him in mind and heart.

Heresy

The conscious and deliberate rejection by a baptized person of a truth of faith that must be believed.

Apostasy

The act of renouncing one's faith.

Tithe

A commitment to donate a tenth or some other percentage of our income to the Church and other charitable causes.

Idolatry

The worship of other beings, creatures, or material goods in a way that is fitting for God alone. It is a violation of the First Commandment.

Pantheon

All of the gods of a people or religion collectively.

Baal

The Canaanite god of rain and vegetation, often represented by a bull and worshipped in high places. He was considered a false god by the Israelites but worshipped by them when they fell away from the one true God.

Asherah (also called Astarte or Ashtoreth)

The Canaanite goddess of love and fertility, often represented by a serpent and worshipped in sacred groves. She was considered a false god by the Israelites but also wosrhipped by them when they fell away from the one true God.

Monotheism

The belief in and worship of only one God.

Venerate

To show respect and devotion to someone or something.

Mammon

An Aramaic word meaning wealth or property.

Superstition

Attributing to someone or something else a power that belongs to God alone and relying on such powers rather than trusting in God; a sin against the First Commandment.

Magic

The belief in supernatural power that comes from a source other than God; a sin against the First Commandment.

Divination

The practice of seeking power or knowledge through supernatural means apart from the one true God; a sin against the First Commandment.

Sacrilege

An offense against God. It is the abuse of a person, place, or thing, dedicated to God and the worship of him.

Simony

Buying or selling something spiritual, such as a grace, a sacrament, or a relic.

Atheist

One who denies the existence of God.

Atheism

the denial of the existence of God.

Agnostic

One who believes we cannot know anything about God's existence or his nature.

Agnosticism

the belief that we cannot know anything about God's existence or his nature.

Sacred

The quality of being holy, worthy of respect and reverence; set apart for God.

Profanity

Speaking disrespectfully about something that is sacred or treating it with disrespect.

Examination of Conscience

Prayerful reflection on, and assessment of, one's words, attitudes, and actions in light of the Gospel of Jesus; more specifically, the conscious moral evaluation of one's life in preparation for reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

Covenant

A solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being in which mutual commitments are made.

Blasphemy

Speaking, acting, or thinking about God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or the saints in a way that is irreverent, mocking, or offensive. It is a sin against the Second Commandment.

Perjury

The sin of lying while under and oath to tell the truth. It is a sin against the Second and Eighth Commandment.

Yahweh

"I am who am"

El Shaddai

"God, the One of the Mountains"; God Almighty

El Elyon

God most high

Yahweh Sabaoth

Lord of Hosts" ; Lord Almighty

El

God

Elohim

God (plural form)