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Term 1: Vodun/Vodou
Definition 1: A Haitian syncretized religion combining West African traditions with Catholic influences.
Term 2: Bondye
Definition 2: The distant creator god in Vodun.
Term 3: Lwa (Loa)
Definition 3: Spirits who mediate between humans and Bondye.
Term 4: Papa Legba
Definition 4: Lwa of crossroads and communication.
Term 5: Ogou
Definition 5: Warrior and iron lwa associated with strength, leadership, and protection.
Term 6: Erzulie Freda
Definition 6: Lwa of love, beauty, and desire.
Term 7: Erzulie Dantor
Definition 7: Fierce protector mother spirit.
Term 8: Baron Samedi
Definition 8: Lwa of death, resurrection, and healing.
Term 9: Gede
Definition 9: Spirits of death, humor, sexuality, and life-force.
Term 10: Houngan
Definition 10: Male Vodun priest.
Term 11: Mambo
Definition 11: Female Vodun priestess.
Term 12: Veve
Definition 12: Sacred ritual drawings used to summon lwa.
Term 13: Possession (Vodun)
Definition 13: A positive state where a lwa enters a person during ceremony.
Term 14: Hoodoo
Definition 14: African American folk magic tradition focused on healing, protection, and luck.
Term 15: Rootwork
Definition 15: Using herbs, roots, oils, and rituals for spiritual outcomes.
Term 16: Conjure
Definition 16: Hoodoo spiritual work involving magic and ancestor guidance.
Term 17: Mojo Bag/Gris-gris
Definition 17: A charm bag for protection/luck.
Term 18: Lodestone
Definition 18: Magnetic stone used to draw money, luck, or love.
Term 19: Uncrossing
Definition 19: Ritual to remove negative energy or curses.
Term 20: Bible Psalms
Definition 20: Used as spoken spells or prayers.
Term 21: Ancestor veneration
Definition 21: Honoring ancestors for guidance.
Term 22: Rootworker/Conjure doctor
Definition 22: Practitioner of Hoodoo.
Term 23: Atheism
Definition 23: The belief that gods do not exist or lack of belief entirely.
Term 24: Strong atheism
Definition 24: Asserts no gods exist.
Term 25: Weak atheism
Definition 25: Lacks belief due to lack of evidence.
Term 26: Agnostic atheism
Definition 26: Doesn’t believe but doesn’t claim certainty.
Term 27: Secular humanism
Definition 27: Ethics and meaning based on human reason, not religion.
Term 28: Naturalism
Definition 28: Belief that everything comes from natural causes.
Term 29: Madalyn Murray O’Hair
Definition 29: Founder of American Atheists; major figure in U.S. atheism.
Term 30: New Atheism
Definition 30: Movement promoting open criticism of religion.
Term 31: Rationalism
Definition 31: Knowledge comes through reason and evidence.