A
ableism noun: discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities
abolition noun: to end the observance or effect of slavery
affirmation noun: to assert as valid or confirmed
Agnostic noun: a. a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable b. one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
Allah noun: the term for God used in Islam
Anabaptist noun: a Protestant sectarian of a radical movement arising in the 16th century and advocating the baptism and church membership of adult believers only, nonresistance, and the separation of church and state
animism noun: a doctrine that the vital principle of organic development is immaterial spirit
Atheist noun: one who believes that there is no deity or higher power
atonement noun: a. the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ b. in Judaism: at-one-ment, derives from a ritual of reconciliation carried out at Yom Kippur. Can be read in hope and trust, not fear and abasement.
assimilation noun: the process of receiving new facts or of responding to new situations in conformity with what is already available to consciousness
B
benevolence noun: a. disposition to do good b. an act of kindness c. a generous gift
Baha’i noun: an adherent of a religious movement originating in Iran in the 19th century and emphasizing the spiritual unity of humankind
baptism noun: a. a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community b. a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purification
Baptist noun: a member or adherent of an evangelical Protestant denomination marked by congregational polity and baptism by immersion of believers only
Bible noun: a. the sacred scriptures of Christians comprising the Old Testament and the New Testament b. the sacred scriptures of some other religion (as Judaism)
Buddha noun: Sanskrit, enlightened; akin to Sanskrit bodhi enlightenment –
a. a person who has attained Buddahood b. a representation of Gautama Buddha
Buddhism noun: a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of Gautama Buddha that suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it by mental and moral self-purification
C
Calvinism noun: the theological system of John Calvin and his followers marked by strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of humankind, and the doctrine of predestination
catalyst noun: an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
catechism noun: a summary of religious doctrine, often in the form of questions and answers
Catholic adjective: a. of, relating to, or forming the church universal b. of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it c. Roman Catholic
Christ noun: a. Messiah or Son of God b. Jesus c. the Jewish religious teacher whose life, death, and resurrection as reported by the Evangelists are the basis of the Christian message of salvation — called also Jesus Christ
Christian noun: a. one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ b. disciple of Christ
communion noun: a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ’s death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ
Confucius noun: Variant(s): Chinese K’ung-Futzu or K’ung-tzu
Function: biographical name: 551-479 B.C. Chinese philosopher
congregation noun: a. an assembly of persons. gathering, especially. an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instruction b. a religious community
Covenant noun: In the Hebrew scriptures, an agreement or treaty among peoples or nations, but most memorably the promises that God extended to humankind (e.g., the promise to Noah never again to destroy the earth by flood or the promise to Abraham that his descendants would multiply and inherit the land of Israel). God’s revelation of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai created a pact between God and Israel known as the Sinai covenant (Judaism). In Christianity, Jesus’ death established a new covenant between God and humanity. Islam holds that the Last Covenant was between God and the Prophet Muhammad.
conservative adjective: a. tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions b. traditional values or views
conversion noun: a. the act of converting; the process of being converted b.an experience associated with the definite and decisive adoption of a religion
creationism noun: a doctrine or theory holding that matter, the various forms of life, and the world were created by God out of nothing and usually in the way described in Genesis (first book of the Christian Bible) – contrast withevolution
creed noun: a. a brief authoritative formula of religious belief b. a set of fundamental beliefs
credential adjective: warranting credit or confidence–used chiefly in the phrase credential letters
crucible noun: a severe test
crucifixion noun: to put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross, as in the crucifixion of Jesus
D
damnation noun: the act of damning. the state of being damned: being sent to hell for eternity
Deism noun: a movement or system of thought advocating natural religion, emphasizing morality, and in the 18th century denying the interference of the Creator with the laws of the universe
denomination noun: a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices
devotional adjective: of, relating to, or characterized by an act of prayer or private worship
disciple noun: a. one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another b. one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ’s followers according to the Gospel accounts. see follower
dissident adjective: disagreeing especially with an established religious or political system, organization, or belief
Divine adjective: a. of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God or a god b.heavenly, godlike
doctrine noun: a. something that is taught b. a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief; dogma: c. a principle of law established through past decisions
dogma noun: a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church
E
Eastern Orthodox adjective: of or consisting of the Eastern churches that form a loose federation according primacy of honor to the patriarch of Constantinople and adhering to the decisions of the first seven ecumenical councils and to the Byzantine rite
ecclesiastical adjective: a. of or relating to a church especially as an established institution b. suitable for use in a church
emancipate transitive verb: a. to free from restraint, control, or the power of another; especially. to free from bondage b. to free from any controlling influence (as traditional mores or beliefs)
empowerment verb: to give official authority or legal power to or enable
Episcopal adjective: Episcopal Church in the United States of America or Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. It was formally organized in Philadelphia in 1789 as the successor to the Church of England in the American colonies. In points of doctrine, worship, and ministerial order, the church descended from and has remained associated with the Church of England.
Eucharist noun: also called Holy Communion, or Lord’s Supper; a Christian sacrament commemorating the action of Jesus at his Last Supper with his disciples, when he gave them bread saying, “This is my body,” and wine saying, “This is my blood.” The story of the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus on the night before his Crucifixion is reported in four books of the New Testament.
evangelism noun: a. the winning or revival of personal commitments to Christb. militant or crusading zeal
evangelist noun: a. a writer of any of the four Gospels b. a person whoevangelizes; specifically. a Protestant minister or layman who preaches at special services
evolution noun: theory in biology postulating that the various types of plants, animals, and other living things on earth have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations. The theory of evolution is one of the fundamental keystones of modern biological theory. contrast with creationism
F
feminism noun: a. the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes b. organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests
follower noun: a. one in the service of another. retainer b. one that follows the opinions or teachings of another: see disciple
fundamentalism noun: a. a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching b. a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles
G
God noun: a. the supreme or ultimate reality b. the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe
Gospels noun: Any of the four New Testament books narrating the life and death of Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are placed at the beginning of the New Testament and make up about half its total text.
H
heathen adjective: of or relating to heathens, their religions, or their customs: see Pagan
heretic noun: a. a dissenter from established religious dogma; especially. a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church who disavows a revealed truth b. one who dissents from an accepted belief or doctrine; nonconformist
Hindu noun: an adherent of Hinduism
Hinduism noun: the dominant religion of India that emphasizes dharma (karma) with its resulting ritual and social observances and often a mystical contemplation and ascetic practices
homily noun: a. a usually short sermon b. a lecture or discourse on or of a moral theme
holy adjective: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) noun: In Christianity, the third person of the HolyTrinity. Though references to the spirit of Yahweh (God) abound in the Old Testament, Christian teaching about the Holy Spirit is derived mainly from theGospels. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at his baptism, and outpourings of the Spirit are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, in which healing, prophecy, exorcism, and speaking in tongues are associated with its activity.
Humanism noun: a. a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values b. a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual’s dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason
I
idealism noun: a. a theory that ultimate reality lies in a realm transcending phenomena b. a theory that only the perceptible is real b. a theory that only mental states or entities are knowable
indoctrination verb: to instruct especially in fundamentals or rudiments; teach
integration noun: a. incorporation as equals into society or an organization of individuals of different groups (as races) b. coordination of mental processes into a normal effective personality or with the individual’s environment
invocation noun: a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship)
Islam noun; Islamic adjective; Islamics noun plural: a. the religious faith of Muslims including belief in Allah as the sole deity and in Muhammad as his prophet b. the civilization erected upon Islamic faith c. the group of modern nations in which Islam is the dominant religion
J
Jesuit noun: a member of the Roman Catholic Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534 and devoted to missionary and educational work
Jesus noun: a. the Jewish religious teacher whose life, death, and resurrection as reported by the Evangelists are the basis of the Christian message of salvation — called also Jesus Christ b. In Christianity, the son of God and the second person of the Holy Trinity
Jew noun: a. a member of the tribe of Judah b. one whose religion is Judaism
Judaism noun: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions
Judeo-Christian adjective: having historical roots in both Judaism and Christianity
K
Kaddish noun: a Jewish prayer recited in the daily ritual of the synagogue and by mourners at public services after the death of a close relative
Koran (also Quran or Qur’an) noun: the book composed of sacred writings accepted by Muslims as revelations made to Muhammad by Allah through the angel Gabriel
L
liberal adjective: not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
liturgy noun: a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship
Lutheran noun: a member of a Lutheran church. Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century, which launched the Protestant Reformation of the Western church. The “confessions” or “symbolical writings” of the Lutheran Church are contained in the Book of Concord, published in German in 1580, and in Latin in 1584
M
Martin Luther (1483 –1546) was a German monk, priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. His teachings inspired the Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestanttraditions, as well as the course of Western civilization.
Mass noun: the liturgy of the Eucharist especially in accordance with the traditional Latin rite (see Roman Catholic)
meditation noun: a discourse intended to express its author’s reflections or to guide others in contemplation
Messiah noun: a. the expected king and deliverer of the Jews b. Jesus
Methodist noun: a member of one of the denominations deriving from the Wesleyan revival in the Church of England, having Armenian doctrine and in the United States modified Episcopal polity, and stressing personal and social morality
ministry noun: the office, duties, or functions of a minister or clergy member
Moses noun: a Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery and at Mt. Sinai delivered the Law establishing God’s covenant with them
Muhammad (the Prophet) biographical name: circa 570-632: Arab prophet & founder of Islam
Muslim noun: an adherent of Islam
mystic adjective: having magical properties
N
naturalistic adjective: of, characterized by, or according with a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance; specifically. the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena
New Testament noun: the second part of the Christian Bible comprising the canonical Gospels and Epistles and also the book of Acts and book of Revelation
O
Old Testament noun: the first part of the Christian Bible containing the books of the Jewish canon of Scripture
ordain verb: to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
original sin noun: the state of sin that according to Christian theology characterizes all human beings as a result of Adam’s fall
orthodox adjective: a. conforming to established doctrine especially in religion b. of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups (esp. Eastern Orthodox or Orthodox Judaism)
PQ
pagan noun: [ definition under review ]
pantheist noun: [ definition under review]
parish noun: a. the ecclesiastical unit of area committed to one pastor b. a local church community composed of the members or constituents of a Protestant church
pastor noun: a spiritual overseer; a clergyman serving a local church or parish
pastoral adjective: a. of or relating to spiritual care or guidance especially of a congregation b. of or relating to the pastor of a church
philosophy noun: 1a. pursuit of wisdom 1b. a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means 1c. an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs 2a. the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group 2b. calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher
pilgrim noun: one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee
pilgrimage noun: a journey of a pilgrim; especially. one to a shrine or a sacred place
pluralism noun: a. a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain an autonomous participation in and development of their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization b. a concept, doctrine, or policy advocating this state
preach verb: to deliver a sermon
predestination noun: the doctrine that God in consequence of his foreknowledge of all events infallibly guides those who are destined for salvation
predilection noun: an established preference for something
Presbyterian adjective: of, relating to, or constituting a Protestant Christian church that is Presbyterian in government and traditionally Calvinistic in doctrine
prophecy noun: a. an inspired utterance of a prophet b. the function or vocation of a prophet; specifically. the inspired declaration of divine will and purpose c. a prediction of something to come
prophet noun: one who utters divinely inspired revelations: as a (often capitalized) the writer of one of the prophetic books of the Bible b. one regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God’s will (e.g. Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah)
Protestant noun: a. a member of any of several church denominations denying the universal authority of the Pope and affirming the Reformation principles of justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the Bible as the only source of revealed truth b. a Christian not of a Catholic or Eastern church
R
Rabbi noun: a Jew trained and ordained for professional religious leadership; specifically the official leader of a Jewish congregation
racism noun: a. a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race b. racial prejudice or discrimination
Redeemer noun: a person who redeems; to atone for
Reformation noun: a 16th century religious movement marked ultimately by rejection or modification of some Roman Catholic doctrine and practice and establishment of the Protestant churches
religion noun: a. the service and worship of God or the supernatural b.commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance c. a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
Renaissance noun: the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science
Resurrection noun: a. the rising of Christ from the dead after his crucifixion b.the state of one risen from the dead
revelation noun: a. an act of revealing or communicating divine truth b.something that is revealed by God to humans
reverent BSA Handbook: A Scout is Reverent toward God. He is Faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Roman Catholic noun: a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the largest denomination of Christianity, with more than one billion members. The Roman Catholic Church has had a profound effect on the development of Western civilization and has been responsible for introducing Christianity in many parts of the world. It regards itself as the only legitimate inheritor of the ministry ofJesus, by virtue of an unbroken succession of leaders beginning with Saint Peter the Apostle and continuing to the present day. It holds that the Pope is the infallible interpreter of divine revelation. Church organization is strictly hierarchical.
S
sacred adjective: a. dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity b. worthy of religious veneration; Holy
sacrament noun: a. a Christian rite (as baptism or the Eucharist) that is believed to have been ordained by Christ and that is held to be a means of divine grace or to be a sign or symbol of a spiritual reality b. a religious rite or observance comparable to a Christian sacrament salvation
salvation noun: a. deliverance from the power and effects of sin b. the agent or means that effects salvation
savior noun: one who brings salvation; specifically capitalized. Jesus
secular adjective: a. of or relating to the worldly or temporal <secularconcerns> b. not overtly or specifically religious <secular music> c. not ecclesiastical or clerical <secular courts>
seminary noun: a. an institution of secondary or higher education b. an institution for the training of candidates for the priesthood, ministry, or rabbinate
sermon noun: a religious discourse delivered in public usually by a clergyman as a part of a worship service
Shabbat noun: the Jewish Sabbath
shaman noun: a priest or priestess who uses magic for the purpose of curing the sick, divining the hidden, and controlling events
shibboleth noun: a. a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect, or belief and usually regarded by others as empty of real meaning b. a widely held belief
Socinian noun: an adherent of a 16th and 17th century theological movement professing belief in God and adherence to the Christian Scriptures but denying the divinity of Christ and consequently denying the Trinity
spiritual adjective: a. of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit b. of or relating to sacred matters c. ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal d.concerned with religious values
supplicant noun: one who asks humbly and earnestly of
synagogue (also synagog) noun: a. a Jewish congregation b. the house of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation
T
theism noun: belief in the existence of a god or gods; specifically. belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world
theological adjective: a. of or relating to theology b. preparing for a religious vocation
theology noun: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience;especially. the study of God and of God’s relation to the world
transcendentalism noun: a philosophy that emphasizes the a priori conditions of knowledge and experience or the unknowable character of ultimate reality or that emphasizes the transcendent as the fundamental reality
transubstantiation noun: the miraculous change by which according to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox dogma the Eucharistic elements at their consecration become the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearances of bread and wine
Trinitarian adjective: of or relating to the Trinity, the doctrine of the Trinity, or adherents to that doctrine
Trinity noun: In Christian doctrine, the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) as one God in three persons. The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible. It is a doctrine formulated in the early church to interpret the way God revealed himself, first to Israel, then in Jesus as Savior, and finally as Holy Spirit, preserver of the church. The doctrine of the Trinity developed in the early centuries of the church and was explicitly stated at the Council of Nicaea in 325.
UV
unanimity noun: the quality or state of being unanimous
Unitarian noun: a. one who believes that the deity exists only in one person b.a member of a denomination that stresses individual freedom of belief, the free use of reason in religion, a united world community, and liberal social action
Universalism noun: a. a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved b. the principles and practices of a liberal Christian denomination founded in the 18th century originally to uphold belief in universal salvation and now united with Unitarianism
UUA noun: Unitarian Universalist Association http://www.uua.org/
UUSC noun: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee http://www.uusc.org/index.shtml
UUSO noun: Unitarian Universalist Scouters Organizationhttp://www.uuscouters.org/
WX
worship noun: a. reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power b. a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
YZ
YRUU noun: Young Religious Unitarian Universalistshttp://www.uua.org/YRUU/