Key Terms in Religious Belief Systems

Agnostic

a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.

Atheist

a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods

Theist

a person who believes in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe

Christian

a person who follows or adheres to Christianity

Roman Catholic

a Catholic who is a member of the Roman rite

Heretic

a person believing in or practicing religious heresy

Schism

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

Magisterium

the official teaching authority of the Church, constituted by the Pope and the bishops in union with him

Papal Infallibility

a dogma of the Catholic Church which states that, in virtue of the promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope when he speaks ex cathedra is preserved from the possibility of error on doctrine

Apostolic Succession

the method whereby the ministry of the Christian Church is considered by some Christian denominations to be derived from the apostles by a continuous succession