Lamott, Tillich, and Ammerman: Faith, Holiness, and Religiosity Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on Anne Lamott, Tillich, and Ammerman: faith, ultimate concern, doubt, idolatry, holy, sacred, everyday religion, hybridity, pluralism, religiosity, secularism, and related examples.

Faith (Tillich)

The state of being ultimately concerned—the total act of the personality that orders all other concerns; includes both conscious and unconscious aspects.

Ultimate Concern

The central concern out of which all other concerns rise; a total, all-encompassing focus that shapes a person's life and actions.

Doubt

A feeling that can be constructive or destructive; can inspire learning and realism and may lead to questioning beliefs.

Idolatry

Worship or excessive devotion to anything or anyone other than God; Lamott uses addiction as an example of idolatry.

Holy (Tillich)

That which is apart from the ordinary realm of things and experiences, always connected to the divine.

Holy (Ammerman)

What you find important and hold at your center Morally or physically, often shaped by both institutions and everyday life.

Sacred (Tillich)

An object or place that allows you to connect with your ultimate concern and faith.

Sacred (Lamott)

Lamott’s sense of sacred arising in nature, in church, and in moments of perceived divine greeting.

Everyday Religion (Ammerman)

A form of spirituality that occurs in everyday life, often connected to a particular institution, not necessarily tied to formal church.

Hybridity (Ammerman)

The presence of multiple religions within an individual; beliefs can be fluid and shaped by life experiences.

Patchwork God

Lamott’s metaphor describing God as a patchwork sewn from bits of rag and ribbon from different religious traditions.

Pluralism

The idea that individuals may practice religion in their own way without conforming to a rigid standard, while respecting others.

Religiosity

The level of faith and the ways in which one expresses religion, often linked to ultimate concern, doubt, and everyday practice.

Secular

The separation of religion from public life; the fading of religious thought in some contexts; linked to rational examination and often associated with the state.

Secular Example (Lamott)

Lamott’s abortion experience illustrating tension between secular personal choice and religious guilt.

First Amendment – Freedom of Religion

Protects the right to practice religion freely and prohibits government endorsement of a single faith.

Separation of Church and State

The principle that government and religion operate independently, foundational to American democracy.

Cracks (Lamott)

Lamott’s idea that flaws and imperfections allow “the light” to shine through, rather than needing perfection.