Concise, contextual definitions covering traditions, texts, ceremonies, theological ideas and identity. Meanings can vary among communities, so entries note important differences where appropriate.
These educational summaries describe common usage rather than prescribing what readers should believe.
A tower in Genesis 11. The narrative describes humanity as initially sharing one language; after people begin building a city and tower, their speech is confused and they disperse. Readers interpret the account in theological, literary and historical ways.
A major compilation of rabbinic discussion about Jewish law, ethics, customs and biblical interpretation. It is also known as the Bavli and holds central authority in rabbinic Judaism.
Audio recorded or arranged so that words or sounds become apparent when played backward. Claims that concealed messages can control behavior are not supported by reliable evidence. See also subliminal message.
A required cloth identifier historically imposed on marginalized groups. Medieval Christian authorities at times compelled Jewish people to wear identifying marks. Nazi Germany later used colored badges to classify and persecute Jewish people and other targeted groups. Some communities subsequently reclaimed symbols associated with that persecution as signs of remembrance and equal rights.
A world religion that emerged in 19th-century Iran. Its teachings emphasize the unity of humanity and religion, spiritual development, education and the elimination of prejudice. Bahá’í communities have spread internationally, while adherents in Iran have faced sustained discrimination and persecution.
A name and image with a complex history in European occultism. One modern form, often called the Sigil of Baphomet, places a goat’s head within an inverted pentagram and is used as a symbol by some Satanist traditions.
A spring festival with agricultural and regional significance in Punjab. For Sikhs, it also commemorates the founding of the Khalsa in 1699.
A Christian rite involving water and associated with initiation, repentance, belonging and faith. Traditions differ over immersion or pouring, infant or believer’s baptism, who may officiate and how the rite relates to salvation.
A proxy rite mentioned in early Christian discussion and practiced today by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A living participant is baptized on behalf of someone who has died; church teaching holds that the deceased remains free to accept or reject the ordinance.
A broad family of Protestant Christian churches historically associated with believer’s baptism, often by immersion, and congregational governance. Baptist organizations vary significantly in theology, social teaching and institutional structure.
In Tibetan Buddhism, an intermediate or transitional state. The term can refer especially to the interval between death and rebirth, though its meaning and acceptance vary across Buddhist traditions.
Hebrew for “son of the commandment.” It describes a Jewish boy’s assumption of religious responsibilities at age 13 and, by extension, ceremonies that recognize this transition.
The Arabic formula meaning “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” It opens all but one chapter of the Qur’an and is widely used in Muslim life. Arabic-speaking Christians may use the related term for a Christian invocation naming the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Hebrew for “daughter of the commandment.” It refers to a Jewish girl’s assumption of religious responsibilities, traditionally at age 12, and to ceremonies marking that transition. Practice varies among Jewish movements and communities.
An abbreviation for “Before the Common Era.” It uses the same year numbering as BC while avoiding an explicitly Christian title. CE, or “Common Era,” corresponds numerically to AD.
To become the parent of a child; traditionally, to father. The word appears frequently in older English Bible translations and genealogies.
The past participle of “beget.” In Christian theology, the word is especially familiar from traditional language about the relationship between Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Acceptance that a proposition is true or that something exists. Beliefs may rest on experience, reasoning, testimony, tradition, trust or faith, and need not all carry the same degree of certainty.
A person who accepts a particular claim, principle or faith. In religious use, it commonly refers to an adherent, though communities differ over whether belief, practice, identity or belonging is primary.
A phrase used for Christians who retain a meaningful experience of God while finding inherited religious forms or explanations inadequate. It describes people revising or rebuilding the faith framework they learned earlier in life.
A seasonal festival observed around 1 May and associated with the beginning of summer in older Gaelic tradition. Many Wiccans and other contemporary Pagans observe it as one of the year’s major festivals.
A traditional broom. In some Wiccan and Pagan practices, a besom is used symbolically to cleanse or prepare a ritual space rather than for ordinary sweeping.
The “Song of the Lord,” a revered Hindu scripture contained within the Mahabharata. It presents a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna about duty, action, devotion, knowledge and liberation.
A Sanskrit term for loving devotion to a deity. Bhakti traditions emphasize a personal relationship expressed through worship, prayer, song, service and remembrance.
A devotional song, especially in Hindu traditions. Bhajans may be sung individually or communally and commonly praise a deity or express spiritual longing.
The collection of sacred writings used in Christianity, including the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament, and the Christian Scriptures, or New Testament. The contents and ordering vary among Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant canons.
The word derives through Greek and Latin terms for “books.” In broader speech, “bible” can also mean an authoritative or comprehensive book on a subject.
Related reading: Hebrew Scripture and Christian Scripture.
A claim that predictions or messages can be found by selecting letters at fixed intervals in biblical text. Similar patterns can be generated from many sufficiently long texts, so such results are not generally accepted as evidence of encoded prophecy.
The belief that the Bible has a defining role in Christian faith and conduct. Christian traditions disagree about how biblical authority relates to inspiration, interpretation, conscience, reason, historical context, church teaching and lived experience.
A perspective on God, humanity, morality and the universe formed through an interpretation of the Bible. There is no single biblical worldview shared by all Christians; conclusions differ among conservative, mainline, liberal, Gnostic, post-Christian and other approaches.
Some conservative Protestant definitions emphasize absolute truth, biblical moral authority, inerrancy, salvation through faith rather than works, the sinlessness of Jesus, sharing one’s faith, a personal understanding of Satan, and God as creator and ruler. See also absolute truth, salvation and the sinlessness of Jesus.
An approach that gives the Bible exclusive or supreme authority and often stresses its clarity, sufficiency, consistency and broad applicability. The term may be descriptive or critical depending on context. See biblical inerrancy and authority.
Literally, worship of a book. The term is generally used critically for what a speaker considers excessive devotion to the Bible as an object or text.
In secular usage, the study or systematic description of books. In Christian theology, bibliology is the study of the Bible, including its inspiration, canon, transmission and authority.
An Arabic term commonly translated as religious innovation. In Islamic discourse it often refers to a belief or practice considered to lack a valid basis in the religion, although scholars and traditions differ over its scope and classification.
An ethical outlook that treats living beings as possessing value in themselves rather than regarding humanity as the sole or supreme focus of moral concern.
A proposed energy field said by some complementary-health practitioners to surround and permeate the body. Conventional scientific instruments have not established such a field as described in these claims.
In some Christian, Wiccan and Pagan settings, a ritual or prayer intended to restrain harmful action or influence. Meaning, purpose and practice differ substantially among traditions.
A Bahá’í holy day commemorating the birth of the Báb, whose title means “the Gate.” The Báb announced a new religious movement in 19th-century Iran and prepared followers for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh. See Bahá’í Faith and CE dating.
A Bahá’í holy day commemorating the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, whose name means “Glory of God.” Bahá’ís recognize him as the founder and prophet of their faith. See Bahá’í Faith.
A Sikh commemoration, often called Guru Nanak Gurpurab, honoring the birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. Observances may include worship, hymn singing, processions and community meals.
A person who can experience romantic or sexual attraction to more than one gender. Individuals vary in how they understand and use the term.
From the Greek episkopos, meaning overseer. In many Christian traditions, a bishop is an ordained leader with pastoral and administrative responsibility for a diocese or group of churches. Duties and theology of the office differ by denomination.
A synonym for duotheist: a person who believes in two deities or primary divine powers. Examples may involve a divine pair or two opposing spiritual principles. Compare Wiccan traditions and Zoroastrianism, while noting that adherents may describe their own theology differently.
This entry has been condensed and updated from an archival glossary page. The earlier discussion of biblical authority cited the following works and survey material:
No. They are educational descriptions of how words are commonly used within or about religious and spiritual traditions.
Language changes across traditions, denominations, regions and historical periods. Entries distinguish major usages where a single definition would mislead.
The glossary distinguishes devotional or community beliefs from claims requiring scientific or historical evidence, without dismissing the importance those beliefs may hold for adherents.
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