ACT Humanities - Religion and Beliefs

Here you will learn some English words related to religion and beliefs, such as "secular", "rite", "deity", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT 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 .
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 .
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 .

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 .
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 .
extremist [adjective]

holding or promoting extreme opinions in politics, religion, etc.

Ex: The extremist faction within the party pushed for drastic measures to be taken against political opponents .
martyr [noun]

someone who is killed because of their beliefs

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

a prayer asking for divine blessing, protection, or guidance

Ex: The benediction echoed through the chapel , solemn and serene .

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

to make something sacred through religious rituals

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

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

Ex:
secular [adjective]

not concerned or connected with religion

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

a person believing in a religion that worships many deities, especially one that existed before the major world religions

Ex: The pagan celebrated the solstice with a ceremony honoring the sun .