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Essential Vocabulary for the GRE - A Cold Day in Hell

Here you will learn some English words about religion, such as "atheism", "animism", "baptism", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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Essential Words Needed for the GRE
Zen
Zen
[noun]

a school of Mahayana Buddhism, originally formed in Japan, emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than reading religious scripts or ritual worship

Ex: She practices Zen to find inner peace and clarity. 
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agnosticism

uncertainty or lack of commitment regarding the existence of deities or the ability to know and comprehend the nature of ultimate reality

Ex: Agnosticism is marked by a humble acknowledgment that the existence of God or spiritual truths is uncertain and beyond definitive human understanding. 
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atheism
atheism
[noun]

the belief that rejects the existence of God or a higher power

Ex: He openly discussed his atheism with his friends. 
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the Trinity

(in Christianity) the concept of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Ex: The pastor explained the concept of the Trinity during the sermon. 
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theology
theology
[noun]

the study of religions and faiths

Ex: She decided to study theology to better understand her faith. 
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almighty
almighty
[Adjective]

having the absolute power and ability to do anything

Ex: The ancient legend spoke of an almighty ruler who controlled the elements. 
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animism
animism
[noun]

the belief in spirits residing within natural elements, objects, and living beings

Ex: Animism is evident in cultures where natural elements, like trees or rivers, are believed to possess spiritual significance. 
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theism
theism
[noun]

the belief in the existence of one or more gods or deities

Ex: His philosophy is rooted in theism, believing in a higher power. 
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biblical
biblical
[Adjective]

related to or derived from the Bible

Ex: The biblical story of Noah's Ark is well-known around the world. 
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baptism
baptism
[noun]

a Christian ceremony during which water is poured on someone or they are immersed into water to welcome them to the Church

Ex: The baby's baptism was held at the local church last Sunday. 
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bar mitzvah

a Jewish ceremony for a boy when he turns 13, marking his transition to being considered an adult in the Jewish community

Ex: The bar mitzvah is a significant milestone in Jewish tradition. 
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secularism

the doctrine that separates the state from religious associations

Ex: Secularism is a core principle in the country's constitution. 
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spiritualism

the belief that the human spirit or soul can survive after death and communicate with the living

Ex: She was fascinated by spiritualism and attended séances regularly. 
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asceticism

a practice that advocates letting go of all the material, mortal, or pleasurable things in order to enrich one's faith and spiritual abilities

Ex: His life of asceticism focused on simplicity and spiritual purity. 
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archbishop

a bishop of the highest rank who is responsible for all the churches in a specific large area

Ex: The archbishop presided over the diocese, which encompassed several cities and towns. 
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christening

a Christian religious ceremony during which a baby is named and admitted to the Christian Church

Ex: The christening ceremony was held in the local church, with family and friends in attendance. 
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clergy
clergy
[noun]

people who are officially chosen to lead religious services in a church or other religious institution

Ex: The clergy gathered for the annual conference. 
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commemorative
commemorative
[Adjective]

acting as something like a statue or structure that is established to remind others of a person or event

Ex: The city unveiled a commemorative to honor the war heroes. 
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congregation

a group of people who gather in a church to say prayers

Ex: The congregation gathered every Sunday for worship and fellowship. 
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consecration

act or ceremony of declaring something sacred or dedicated to a divine purpose, particularly in Christianity

Ex: In certain religious traditions, the consecration of a bishop is a sacred ritual that marks the individual's appointment to a holy office within the church. 
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crucifix
crucifix
[noun]

a cross with a image or statue of Jesus on it

Ex: The church had a large crucifix at the altar. 
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deity
deity
[noun]

a supernatural figure that is worshipped like a god or goddess

Ex: In ancient Greece, Zeus was considered a powerful deity. 
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ecclesiastic

a male priest, religious leader, or minister; especially a Christian one

Ex: He met with an ecclesiastic to discuss the church's upcoming events. 
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effigy
effigy
[noun]

a physical illustration of someone, especially a graven image or statue, often life-size

Ex: The artist sculpted an effigy of the famous leader. 
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epistle
epistle
[noun]

any of the letters in the New Testament, written by the apostles

Ex: Paul's epistle to the Romans is a foundational text in Christian theology. 
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exorcism
exorcism
[noun]

the religious or spiritual practice of driving out evil spirits or entities from a person or place

Ex: The priest performed an exorcism to rid the house of spirits. 
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Gospel
Gospel
[noun]

any of the four books of the New Testament that is about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ

Ex: She studied the Gospel of Matthew in her Bible study group. 
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kosher
kosher
[Adjective]

(of food) prepared according to Jewish law

Ex: The meat served at the kosher deli adheres to strict Jewish dietary laws. 
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guru
guru
[noun]

a religious leader or teacher in Buddhism, Hinduism, or Sikhism

Ex: She traveled to India to seek guidance from a renowned guru. 
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halal
halal
[Adjective]

(of food) prepared according to Islamic law

Ex: She only eats halal meat from the local butcher. 
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hermit
hermit
[noun]

a person who lives a very simple life in solitude as a religious practice

Ex: The hermit lived deep in the forest, away from the distractions of the world, devoting himself to prayer and meditation. 
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heretic
heretic
[noun]

someone with beliefs against the doctrines of a particular religion

Ex: The church labeled him a heretic for his unconventional views. 
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hymn
hymn
[noun]

a religious song intended to praise God, especially sung by Christians in congregation

Ex: The congregation sang a hymn at the beginning of the service. 
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reincarnation

the belief that after someone’s death, their spirit comes back to life in the form of a new body, especially in Buddhism and Hinduism

Ex: Many people believe in reincarnation as a cycle of rebirth. 
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judaic
judaic
[Adjective]

related to the Jew and their faith, religion, or culture

Ex: She studied Judaic traditions to understand her heritage better. 
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martyr
martyr
[noun]

someone who is killed because of their beliefs

Ex: He is remembered as a martyr for his fight against injustice. 
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lama
lama
[noun]

a Mongolian or Tibetan Buddhist monk

Ex: The lama offered blessings to the villagers. 
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monastic
monastic
[Adjective]

relating to people like monks, nuns, etc. who voluntarily made a public sacred promise to dedicate their life to a special duty

Ex: The monastery's monastic routine involves daily prayers and meditation. 
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pantheism
pantheism
[noun]

the belief that God and the universe are one and the same, considering the entire natural world as a divine expression of God

Ex: Some proponents of pantheism find solace and a sense of awe in contemplating the vastness and complexity of the universe. 
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polytheism

the belief in or worship of multiple gods or deities

Ex: Polytheism was a common religious belief in many ancient civilizations, such as ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, where various gods and goddesses were worshiped. 
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