Introduction to Religion

Question 1

Agnostic

Answer 1

Someone who believes we cannot prove the existence or nonexistence of a God

Question 2

Apostate

Answer 2

Person who renounces a religious (or political) belief

Question 3

Athiest

Answer 3

Disbelief or denial of the existence of God(s)

Question 4

Atonement

Answer 4

Compensation for a wrong; making amends; making reparation

Question 5

Canon

Answer 5

Authoritative collection of writings, works, etc. applying to a particular religion

Question 6

Deity

Answer 6

God or Goddess

Question 7

Denomination

Answer 7

Large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name

Question 8

Divine

Answer 8

Having the nature of or being a deity

Question 9

Doctrine

Answer 9

Framework, set of rules, procedural steps; the body of teachings of a religion

Question 10

Dogma

Answer 10

a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

Question 11

Dualism

Answer 11

Belief that reality is made up of two different principles (spirit and matter) or that there are two sides or gods (good and evil) in conflict

Question 12

Eschatology

Answer 12

Having to do with or relating to the end of the world

Question 13

Evangelize

Answer 13

To preach or spread the word of God

Question 14

Exegesis

Answer 14

Critical examination of a religious text

Question 15

Fundamentalism

Answer 15

Movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to set of basic principles

Question 16

Hagiography

Answer 16

Blending of history and legend usually in the form of biography

Question 17

Henotheistic

Answer 17

Belief in or worship of one God without denying the existence of others

Question 18

Heresy

Answer 18

Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine

Question 19

Incarnation

Answer 19

Physical embodiment of the divine

Question 20

Martyr

Answer 20

One who suffers for the sake of principle (usually religious)

Question 21

Messiah

Answer 21

An expected deliverer of the people; “chosen” or “anointed” one

Question 22

Monotheistic

Answer 22

Belief that there is one God and the denial of all other Gods

Question 23

Myth

Answer 23

Story expressing the ideals about reality or spiritual history, usually at a different time. Does not necessarily denote untrue.

Question 24

Nontheistic

Answer 24

Absence of deities within a religion

Question 25

Orthodox

Answer 25

Following traditional doctrine; sound or correct in opinion or doctrine

Question 26

Pantheistic

Answer 26

Belief that everything in the universe is divine or has divine principles

Question 27

Parable

Answer 27

Allegorical story, usually illustrating a religious moral or point

Question 28

Polytheistic

Answer 28

Belief in or worship of more than one God

Question 29

Prophet

Answer 29

One who speaks by divine inspiration

Question 30

Rites

Answer 30

Established, ceremonious (and usually religious) acts

Question 31

Sacred

Answer 31

Things and actions set apart as religious or spiritual which are entitled to reverence

Question 32

Sect

Answer 32

Religious body, especially one that has separated form a large denomination

Question 33

Secular

Answer 33

Of or relating to the worldly or temporal (not the religious or divine)

Question 34

Syncretism

Answer 34

Blending of two or more religions, their faiths, ideas or practices, into a new or existing religion

Question 35

Theolgy

Answer 35

Study of religious faith, practice or experience

Question 36

Transcendent

Answer 36

Existing outside the material universe