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 IELTS Academic (Band 8-9)
gospel [noun]

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

Ex: He studies the gospel to understand the group 's doctrine .
apostle [noun]

any one of the twelve disciples of Jesus

Ex: James the Greater , brother of John , was one of the first apostles called by Jesus and later became a prominent figure in the early Christian community .
exorcism [noun]

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

Ex: After the exorcism , the strange occurrences in the house ceased .

the act of disrespectfully treating a sacred item or place

Ex: Burning a religious text is seen as a sacrilege , as it shows disrespect for the beliefs and traditions of a faith community .

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

Ex: Pantheism posits that the entire cosmos is sacred and that divinity is immanent in all things , from the smallest atom to the vast expanse of the universe .

the belief in or worship of multiple gods or deities

Ex: Polytheism is the belief in or worship of multiple gods .

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

Ex: The concept of purgatory addresses the idea of post-death purification in preparation for eternal life .

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

Ex: Jewish eschatology includes reflections on the Messiah , the resurrection of the dead , and the coming of the Messianic age .

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

Ex: According to the New Testament , Jesus ' resurrection is a sign of God 's power and love , demonstrating that death has been conquered and salvation is available to all who believe .
sanctity [noun]

the state or quality of being sacred or morally pure

Ex: Pilgrims travel to sacred sites to experience the sanctity associated with those places .

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

Ex: Islamic commandments , as outlined in the Quran , cover various aspects of life , including prayer , charity , and ethical behavior .

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

Ex:

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

Ex: Wrath , as a deadly sin , discourages destructive anger and a vengeful spirit .
doomsday [noun]

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

Ex: The Mayan calendar was once thought to predict doomsday in 2012 , sparking global discussions and concerns .
heresy [noun]

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

Ex: Witchcraft was often labeled heresy in medieval Europe .

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

Ex: Preachers spread millenarianism to inspire moral reform and readiness .
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: Paganism contrasts with monotheistic religions by acknowledging and honoring a variety of divine entities .

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

Ex: The debate over predestination shaped many theological controversies .
abbess [noun]

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

Ex:
abbot [noun]

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

Ex: The abbot guided the monks in their daily life of prayer , work , and study , ensuring that they lived according to the rule of their order .
bishop [noun]

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

Ex: The cathedral , being the seat of the bishop , hosted several important religious events throughout the year .
rosary [noun]

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

Ex: Catholics often carry a pocket-sized rosary for portable prayer , using the beads to guide them through the traditional prayers .

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

Ex: The concept of providence is deeply ingrained in the religious worldview , emphasizing trust in God 's plan and wisdom .

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

Ex: In some countries , political leaders exploit sectarianism for their own gain , using religious or ethnic divisions to maintain power and control .

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

Ex: Due to his agnosticism , he approached religious debates with a sense of curiosity and caution , avoiding firm stances on the existence of gods .

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

Ex: The notion of an apocalypse has inspired myths and legends across different civilizations , each with its unique narrative of a world-altering event .

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: Followers of theosophy engage in practices aimed at spiritual development , emphasizing the inner transformation of the individual .
pantheon [noun]

a monumental building dedicated to gods and goddesses

Ex:

a place of worship and religious study for Jews

Ex: The community center hosts events and classes at the synagogue to promote cultural and educational activities .
hermit [noun]

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

Ex: Hermits often follow a strict regimen of fasting , prayer , and self-denial as part of their ascetic lifestyle .
chapel [noun]

a small place of worship or prayer that is usually separate from a main church or cathedral

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

Ex: Monastic life often begins with the consecration of novices , a solemn commitment to a religious order and a life of spiritual discipline .