SAT Humanities - Religion and Belief Systems

Here you will learn some English words related to religion and belief systems, such as "scripture", "pagan", "martyr", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Humanities

the sacred writings of the Christian faith, comprising the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, considered authoritative and divinely inspired by Christian

Ex: The Gospel accounts in the New Testament are foundational scriptures detailing the life , teachings , death , and resurrection of Jesus Christ .
deity [noun]

a supernatural figure that is worshipped like a god or goddess

Ex: The temple was dedicated to the local deity of harvest .
altar [noun]

the table in a church, used for giving communion in Christianity

Ex: The floral arrangements adorned the altar , adding beauty to the church ceremony .

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 .
rite [noun]

a formal or ceremonial act, procedure, or ritual, often associated with religious practices

Ex: Participants in the pilgrimage observed ancient rites at the sacred site , seeking spiritual enlightenment .
mosque [noun]

a place of worship, used by Muslims

Ex: The mosque welcomed visitors of all faiths to learn about Islam and its practices .
clergy [noun]

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

Ex: New members of the clergy were ordained in a special service .
disciple [noun]

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

Ex: She became a disciple of mindfulness , practicing daily meditation and mindfulness techniques .
monk [noun]

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

Ex: Monks often engage in manual labor as part of their daily routine to support their community .

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

Ex: Within Islam , Sunni and Shia are the two major denominations , each with its own interpretations of Islamic teachings .
hymn [noun]

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

Ex: They chose a well-known hymn for the wedding ceremony .
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 .

a journey or religious expedition to a sacred place or shrine, typically undertaken for spiritual or religious reasons

Ex: Christians often undertake pilgrimages to Jerusalem , visiting sites of religious significance mentioned in the Bible .

a prayer asking for divine blessing, protection, or guidance

Ex: The benediction echoed through the chapel , solemn and serene .
secular [adjective]

not concerned or connected with religion

Ex: She identifies as secular , preferring to approach life without relying on religious beliefs .
sacred [adjective]

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

Ex:
pagan [adjective]

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

Ex:

to fulfill a role in religious service or guidance, providing support and leadership within a community

Ex:

to initiate into a religious faith by immersing in or sprinkling with water

Ex: The parents joyfully watched as their child was baptized in the church ceremony .

to make something sacred through religious rituals

Ex: The religious community gathered to consecrate the ground for the construction of a new temple .
dogma [noun]

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

Ex: The political leader 's dogma was evident in every policy decision made by the administration .
motto [noun]

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

Ex: The family 's motto , " Unity in Diversity , " reflects their commitment to embracing differences and standing together .
credo [noun]

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

Ex: In the business world , a company may have a credo that reflects its core values and commitment to customer satisfaction .

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

Ex: He practiced spiritualism to connect with his deceased relatives .

the belief or principle that ideas and actions should be based on logic instead of religion or emotion

idealism [noun]

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

Ex: Her idealism inspired many to strive for a better world .

the theory or doctrine that all events and occurrences are completely determined by previously existing causes, therefore human beings cannot be punished or held accountable for their deeds

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

Ex: She studied the impact of Christian fundamentalism on American politics .

(in philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is derived from sensory experience rather than theory or intuition

Ex: The theory reflects empiricism in its insistence on evidence from experience .

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

Ex: In his writings , he championed individualism as a means to achieve true personal fulfillment .

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

Ex: The rise of consumerism in the 20th century led to increased production and consumption of goods .

the philosophical belief that the spiritual world does not exist and the only thing that exists is physical matter

dualism [noun]

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

Ex: Epistemological dualism asserts a fundamental distinction between the realms of knowledge , separating subjective experiences from objective reality .

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

Ex: He identified as an egalitarian and worked tirelessly to promote fair wages for all workers .

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

Ex: The utilitarians argued that the morality of an action should be judged by its consequences on the well-being of individuals .
pacifist [noun]

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

Ex: The group of pacifists protested the government ’s decision to increase military spending .
zealot [noun]

a person who is fanatically committed to a cause, ideology, or belief, often with uncompromising intensity and willingness to act aggressively in its defense

Ex: She was a zealot for animal rights , refusing any compromise .
radical [noun]

a person who holds extreme or unconventional ideas or opinions

Ex:

a person who advocates for the complete elimination of something

Ex: Frederick Douglass emerged as a prominent abolitionist and orator against slavery in the United States .

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

Ex: He was accused of being an extremist due to his extreme religious beliefs .
martyr [noun]

someone who is killed because of their beliefs

Ex: The martyr 's death inspired many to continue the cause .

to take up, follow, or support a cause, belief, ideology, etc.