Unit 1 Vocabulary

abdicate

for a monarch to give up their throne

classical

relating to ancient Greek or Latin literature, art, or culture; or, something regarded as representing an exemplary standard, traditional and long-established in form or style

communion

the service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are blessed and shared

corruption

dishonest conduct by those in power

dissenter

someone who does not follow the established church

doctrine

a set of beliefs taught by a church, political party, or other group

excommunicate

officially exclude someone from participation in the sacraments of the Christian Church

faith

a strong belief in God or the teachings of a religion

heresy

a belief or opinion that goes against church teachings

patron

a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity

persecution

hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of religion, ethnicity, or political beliefs

predestination

the belief that God has determined the outcome before events actually happen

recant

to say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially a belief considered heretical

sacrament

a religious ceremony or ritual regarded as imparting God's grace

salvation

having one's soul saved and sent to heaven

schism

a split or division between sections or parties in a group, caused by differences in opinion or belief

scripture

sacred writings

secular

things that are not associated with religion or the church

simony

buying and selling positions in the church

sin

a violation of God's law

theocracy

government by religious leaders

tolerance

the willingness to allow beliefs, opinions, or behavior that one does not agree with

utopia

an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect (from the title of a book by Thomas More)

vernacular

the common, everyday language that people use