Glossary

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This is a work in progress. Feel free to add any definitions or terms of interest. The goal here is to share and learn.

Polytheistism- Belief in many deities
Monotheism- Belief in a single God
Monistic- Life is whole, without a separate spiritual realm
Agnosticism- Unsure whether God exists
Atheism- Belief that NO deity exists
Syncretism- When different traditions are blended together, ex. Santeria
Animism- the belief is that everything is alive and has a level of consciousness
Humanism-philosophy that humans are free from beliefs in the supernatural and should pursue th esearch for answers for meaning and value through reliance on reason, intelligence, scientific method, democratic process, and social compassion.
Anthropomorphize- To ascribe human characteristics to
Meditation- Technique of relaxing and focusing mind on a target or goal
Schism- Splits within a church/ religion
Idolatry- Worship of idols
Monasticism- Vowed religious life. Ex. Monks/ Nuns
Yoga- “yoke”- Union with true self through spiritual discipline
Religion- “To bind” or “To tie again”- Answers religious questions
Cosmogeny- How world began
Cosmology- How the world works