Religion and Belief Systems

providence

noun

/prɑ.və.dəns/ or /praa.vē.dēns/

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

disciple

noun

/dɪs.aɪəpl/ or /dis.aiēpl/

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a follower or student who adheres to the teachings and practices of a particular leader, teacher, or philosophy

monk

noun

/mənk/ or /mēnk/

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a member of a male religious group that lives in a monastery

denomination

noun

/dɪˌnɔməˈneɪʃən/

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a distinct branch or or subgroup within a larger religious tradition, characterized by specific beliefs, practices, and organizational structures

hymn

noun

/hɪm/ or /him/

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

benediction

noun

/bɛ.nə.dɪk.ʃən/ or /be.nē.dik.shēn/

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a prayer asking for blessing and protection

secular

Adjective

/sɛk.jə.lɜr/ or /sek.yē.lēr/

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not concerned or connected with religion

sacred

Adjective

/seɪk.rəd/ or /seik.rēd/

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connected with God or a god, and considered holy or deeply respected in religious contexts

pagan

Adjective

/peɪ.gən/ or /pei.gēn/

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relating to religions or spiritual systems outside the world's main religions

to consecrate

Verb

/kɑn.sək.reɪt/ or /kaan.sēk.reit/

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to make something sacred through religious rituals

dogma

noun

/dɑg.mə/ or /daag.mē/

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a belief or a belief system held by an authority who proclaims it to be undeniably true and expects immediate acceptance

motto

noun

/mɑ.toʊ/ or /maa.tooo/

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oʊ

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a brief statement or phrase that represents the guiding beliefs or ideals of an individual, family, or institution

credo

noun

/kreɪ.doʊ/ or /krei.dooo/

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a formal statement of beliefs or principles, often religious or philosophical in nature

spiritualism

noun

/spɪ.rɪ.ʧuə.lɪzm/ or /spi.ri.chooē.lizm/

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

idealism

noun

/aɪ.di.lɪ.zəm/ or /ai.di.li.zēm/

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the belief in or pursuit of high principles, values, or ideals, often with a focus on the potential for perfection or improvement

fundamentalism

noun

/fən.də.mɛn.ə.lɪəzm/ or /fēn.dē.men.ē.liēzm/

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a strict commitment to the core beliefs and teachings of a religion, often accompanied by a literal interpretation of its sacred texts

empiricism

noun

/ɛm.pɪ.rə.sɪ.zəm/ or /em.pi.rē.si.zēm/

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a theory stating that all knowledge is derived from experience

individualism

noun

/ɪn.dɪ.vɪ.duə.lɪ.zəm/ or /in.di.vi.dooē.li.zēm/

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the conviction that prioritizes self-reliance and personal independence as virtues

consumerism

noun

/kən.su.mɜ.rɪ.zəm/ or /kēn.soo.mē.ri.zēm/

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the idea or belief that personal well-being and happiness depend on the purchase of material goods

dualism

noun

/duə.lɪ.zəm/ or /dooē.li.zēm/

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the belief that reality consists of two fundamental and opposing components, such as mind and body or good and evil

egalitarian

noun

/ɪ.gæ.lə.tɛ.riən/ or /i.gā.lē.te.riēn/

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a person who believes in or advocates for the principle of equality, especially in regards to social, political, and economic affairs

utilitarian

noun

/ju.tɪ.lə.tɛ.riən/ or /yoo.ti.lē.te.riēn/

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someone who supports the theory that actions are morally right if they maximize happiness or pleasure and morally wrong if they cause unhappiness or pain, regardless of other outcomes

pacifist

noun

/pæ.sɪ.fɪst/ or /pā.si.fist/

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an individual who is against war and violence as a way to settle disagreements or conflicts

zealot

noun

/zɛ.lət/ or /ze.lēt/

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a person with very strong opinions on different matters such as religion or politics who tries to impose them on others

abolitionist

noun

/æ.bə.lɪ.ʃə.nəst/ or /ā.bē.li.shē.nēst/

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a person who advocates for the complete elimination of something

extremist

noun

/ɛkst.ri.mɪst/ or /ekst.ri.mist/

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a person who holds radical views, particularly in politics or religion, and is willing to use extreme measures to achieve their goals

martyr

noun

/mɑr.tɜr/ or /maar.tēr/

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someone who is killed because of their beliefs