Please use our Suggestion Box for corrections
or additions to this list
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
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
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 with evolution
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
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
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 Christ b. militant or
crusading zeal
evangelist noun: a. a writer of
any of the four Gospels b. a person who
evangelizes; 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
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
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.
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 Holy
Trinity. Though references to the spirit of Yahweh (God) abound in the
Old Testament, Christian teaching about the Holy Spirit is derived mainly
from the
Gospels. 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
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
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
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
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
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
Protestant traditions, 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
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
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)
pagan noun: a. Heathen:
a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome) b. one who
has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material
goods. an irreligious or hedonistic person
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
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 of
Jesus, 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.
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 <secular concerns> 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
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.
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 Organization
http://www.uuscouters.org/
worship noun: a. reverence
offered a divine being or supernatural power b. a form of religious
practice with its creed and ritual
YRUU noun: Young Religious
Unitarian Universalists
http://www.uua.org/YRUU/
