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Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9) - Religion

Here, you will learn some English words related to Religion that are necessary for the Academic IELTS exam.

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Vocabulary for Academic IELTS (8)
gospel
gospel
[noun]

a set of teachings or principles of a religious group considered authoritative or generally accepted within that group

Ex: Followers adhere to the gospel of their faith. 
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apostle
apostle
[noun]

any one of the twelve disciples of Jesus

Ex: Peter, also known as Simon Peter, was one of the apostles of Jesus and is often regarded as the leader among them. 
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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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sacrilege
sacrilege
[noun]

the act of disrespectfully treating a sacred item or place

Ex: Vandalizing a place of worship is considered a sacrilege by many religious communities. 
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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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purgatory
purgatory
[noun]

in certain Christian beliefs, a temporary state of purification for souls after death, preparing them for entry into heaven

Ex: In Catholic theology, believers may undergo purification in purgatory to achieve holiness before entering heaven. 
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eschatology

the branch of theology concerned with the study of the end times, final events, and the ultimate destiny of humanity and the world

Ex: Eschatology in Christianity delves into beliefs about the Second Coming of Christ, the Last Judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. 
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resurrection

the return to life of Christ on the third day after his death on the cross, according to the New Testament

Ex: Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, commemorating his victory over death and sin. 
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sanctity
sanctity
[noun]

the state or quality of being sacred or morally pure

Ex: The sanctity of the temple was preserved through rituals and ceremonies that emphasized its holiness. 
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commandment

one of the biblical Ten Commandments, guiding ethical conduct in religious traditions

Ex: The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, include fundamental commandments like "You shall not murder" and "You shall not steal." 
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creationism

the belief that the universe and living organisms originated through divine acts of creation, often differing from scientific explanations such as evolution

Ex: Creationism is a prominent perspective in some religious communities, influencing educational curricula and beliefs about human origins. 
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deadly sin

a severe or morally corrupting sin, traditionally one of seven sins in Christian theology, including lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride

Ex: Pride is considered a deadly sin, warning against excessive self-importance or arrogance. 
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doomsday
doomsday
[noun]

a belief or prophecy predicting a catastrophic end to the world within religious traditions

Ex: In Christianity, doomsday is associated with the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment. 
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heresy
heresy
[noun]

a belief or opinion that contradicts the established doctrines of a religion

Ex: Galileo's support for heliocentrism was once considered heresy by the Church. 
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millenarianism

the belief, in Christian eschatology, that Christ will reign on Earth for a thousand years as described in the Book of Revelation

Ex: The sect practiced millenarianism, expecting the imminent reign of Christ. 
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paganism
paganism
[noun]

the belief in or worship of multiple deities, often associated with nature, and typically not adhering to major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, or Judaism

Ex: Ancient civilizations practiced paganism, venerating a diverse array of nature gods and goddesses. 
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predestination

(in theology) the doctrine that all events, including human salvation or damnation, are determined in advance by God

Ex: Calvin's teachings emphasized predestination as a key element of faith. 
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abbess
abbess
[noun]

the female head of an abbey, convent, or other religious houses of nuns

Ex: We elected Sister Margaret as our new abbess, recognizing her leadership qualities and dedication to the community. 
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abbot
abbot
[noun]

the male spiritual leader and administrator of an abbey, monastery, or group of monasteries

Ex: Let us gather in the chapel to listen to the abbot's sermon, as his words always bring clarity and inspiration. 
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bishop
bishop
[noun]

a high-ranking priest who supervises all the churches and priests in a city

Ex: The bishop presided over the ordination ceremony for the new priests in the diocese. 
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rosary
rosary
[noun]

a set of beads used for counting prayers, especially in the Catholic tradition

Ex: During prayer, the devout Catholic gently fingers each bead on the rosary, reciting specific prayers in a prescribed order. 
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providence

the divine guidance, care, and intervention of a higher power

Ex: The religious community attributed their survival in difficult times to the providence of God, believing in divine protection. 
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sectarianism

the intense devotion to a particular religious or political sect, often leading to prejudice or discrimination against members of other sects

Ex: Sectarianism has been a persistent challenge in regions marked by religious diversity, leading to tensions and conflicts between different religious communities. 
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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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apocalypse

a catastrophic event, often with cosmic or divine origins, believed to cause widespread destruction or significant change in the world

Ex: Throughout history, various cultures have envisioned an apocalypse, a momentous event signaling the end of an era. 
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theosophy
theosophy
[noun]

a religious and philosophical system that seeks to explore the mysteries of the divine and the nature of reality through a combination of spiritual insight, ancient wisdom, and esoteric teachings

Ex: Theosophy proposes a holistic understanding of spirituality, drawing inspiration from various religious and mystical traditions. 
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pantheon
pantheon
[noun]

a monumental building dedicated to gods and goddesses

Ex: The Mayan civilization built impressive pantheons to honor their gods and ancestors. 
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synagogue
synagogue
[noun]

a place of worship and religious study for Jews

Ex: The synagogue was beautifully decorated for the High Holidays, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for worshippers. 
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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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chapel
chapel
[noun]

a small place for prayer or religious services that is separate from a main church or cathedral

Ex: The monks gathered in the chapel for morning prayers. 
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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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