LexiTopic: Belief Systems
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The LexiConnexxions analysis has identified these words related to BELIEF SYSTEMS in the Spelling Bee lexicon.
The complete list of words on this topic is shown at right (on laptop or desktop) or at the end of the page (on mobile); the complete topical analysis is given below.
Bee words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Spelling Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
Bee words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Spelling Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
ABOUT THE LEXITOPICS PROJECT
Taxonomy for Spelling Bee words related to BELIEF SYSTEMS
SUBJECT HEADINGS IN THIS LEXITOPIC:
Belief Systems: Any ReligionBelief Systems: BuddhismBelief Systems: Christian ScientistBelief Systems: Christianity all sects except Christian ScienceBelief Systems: HinduismBelief Systems: IslamBelief Systems: JudaismBelief Systems: OthersBeliefs and Nonbeliefs faith, not opinionDoctrine, Dogma, RulesEcclesiastical Buildings and ArchitectureGods, Demons, and AngelsOrganizations and CongregationsPersons, Roles, and OfficesRituals, Rites, Prayer, and WorshipSymbols, Objects, and DressWords and Music
NOTES ABOUT THE TAXONOMY FOR BELIEF SYSTEMS
SCOPE NOTE: This LexiTopic compiles and defines Bee words related to religions and belief systems created by people, as well as their associated properties, rules, beliefs, etc.
Words related to other mythological or fabulous beliefs that are not part of the organized religions named here are in MYTH AND MAGIC.
Words related to nonreligious fictions are in WRITING AND PUBLISHING.
Words related to sacred music and church musicians are also indexed in MUSIC. Words related to pipe organs are only in MUSIC.
Topical arrangement of Spelling Bee words related to BELIEF SYSTEMS
Belief Systems: Any Religion
ABOVE: heaven; also, in or to heavenALTAR: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual; a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worshipAMEN: used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion)ANGEL: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyANGELIC: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyANOINT: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentANOINTING: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentANTHEM: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively; also, a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the ScripturesBELIEF: a tenet or body of tenets held by a group (the beliefs of the Catholic Church)BELIEVE: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factBELIEVING: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factBELOW: on earth, or in or to hades or hell; alsoBLAZE: blazes plural: hell (go to blazes)CALL: an invitation to become the minister of a church; a divine vocation or strong inner promptingCANT: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love)CANTING*: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love); also, (adj.) affectedly pious or righteousCARNAL: temporal (spiritual and eternal over the carnal); worldly (a carnal mind)CARNALLY: temporal (spiritual and eternal over the carnal); worldly (a carnal mind)CELIBACY: abstention by vow from marriageCELIBATE: abstaining from marriage and sex especially because of a religious vow; one who abstains from marriage because of a religious vowCHANCEL: the part of a church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choirCHOIR: a division of angelsCHURCH: a body or organization of religious believers; denomination; congregationCHURCHY: marked by strict conformity or zealous adherence to the forms or beliefs of a church; also, of or suggestive of a church or church servicesCLAY: the human body as distinguished from the spiritCULT: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents (the cult of Jesus)CULTIC: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents (the cult of Jesus)DEBT: sin, trespass (forgive us our debts.)DEDICATE: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesDEDICATED: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesDEICIDE: the act of killing a divine being or a symbolic substitute of such a being, or the killer or destroyer of a godDEIFIED: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFY: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFYING: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEITY: the rank or essential nature of a god: divinityDEMON: an evil spirit (e.g., angels and demons)DEVOTION: religious fervor: piety; also, an act of prayer or private worship, used in plural; also a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregationDIVINE: a clergyman or theologianDIVINE: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityDIVINELY: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityEMBODIED: to give a body to (a spirit): incarnateENLIGHTEN: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTENING: to give spiritual insight toFAITH: belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proofFALL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLEN: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLING: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLS: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFELL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFIEND: the devilFOUL: morally or spiritually odiousFOULLY: morally or spiritually odiousGLORIFY: to give glory to (as in worship); to elevate to celestial glory; to represent as glorious: extolGLORY: worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgivingGODHOOD*: divinityGODLY: pious, devoutHALO: an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereignHEAVENLY: suggesting the blessed state of heaven: beatificHIGH: Heaven (wisdom from on high)HOLIDAY: a holy day (an important Muslim holiday)HOLILY*: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessHOLY: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessHORN: a part like an animal's horn attributed especially to the devilIDOL: a representation or symbol of an object of worshipINFALLIBLE: incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or moralsINNOCENCE: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil: blamelessnessINNOCENT: free from guilt or sin especially through lack of knowledge of evil: blameless; a person free from sinINTELLIGENCE: an intelligent entity, especially: an angelJUDICIAL: arising from a judgment of GodLAIC: or laical, of or relating to the laity: secularLAICAL: or laic; of or relating to the laity: secularLAICALLY*: of or relating to the laity: secularLAICIZE: to reduce to lay status; to put under the direction of or open to the laityLAITY: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergyLAMP: a source of intellectual or spiritual illuminationLAYMAN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYMEN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYPEOPLE: plural of layperson, a member of the laityLAYWOMAN: a woman who is a member of the laityLIFE: spiritual existence transcending physical death (life after death)LIVE: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVED: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVING: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LOFT: a gallery in a church (a choir or organ loft)LOVE: a person's adoration of God; also, the fatherly concern of God for humankind; also, a god (such as Cupid or Eros) or personification of loveNUNHOOD: the status or calling of a nun, a woman belonging to a religious order, especially one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedienceTEMPLE: a building for religious practice: such as: often Temple : either of two successive national sanctuaries in ancient Jerusalem; also, a building for sacred ordinances of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; also, the house of worship of Reform and some Conservative Jewish congregationsTHEOLOGY: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, especially: the study of God and of God's relation to the world; also, a theological theory or system (Thomist theology, a theology of atonement); also, a distinctive body of theological opinion (Catholic theology); also, a usually 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminaryTIDE: an ecclesiastical anniversary or festival, also: its season —usually used in combination (Eastertide, Yuletide)TURBAN: a headdress worn chiefly in countries of the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia consisting of a long cloth that is wrapped around a cap (as by Muslims) or directly around the head (as by Sikhs and Hindus)UNBELIEF: incredulity or skepticism especially in matters of religious faithWELKIN: the celestial abode of God or the gods: heaven
Belief Systems: Buddhism
ARHAT: a Buddhist who has reached the stage of enlightenmentCHAKRA: any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophyDHARMA: in Hinduism, an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law; or in Hinduism and Buddhism, the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence, divine law; or conformity to one's duty and natureKARMA: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKARMIC: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKOAN: a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining sudden intuitive enlightenmentLAMA: a Tibetan Buddhist monkLIGHT: spiritual illumination; also, inner light: a divine presence held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the soul; also, enlightenment: in Buddhism: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or sufferingMANDALA: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe, specifically: a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to meditationNIRVANA: the final beatitude (state of utmost bliss) that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousnessPAGODA: a tower in eastern Asia usually with roofs curving upward at the division of each of several stories and erected as a temple or memorial (Wikipedia: “Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist, but sometimes Taoist or Hindu”)TANTRA: one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraTANTRIC: related to tantra, one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraTOPE: a stupa, a usually dome-shaped structure (such as a mound) serving as a Buddhist shrine
Belief Systems: Christian Scientist
ANGEL: Christian Science: inspiration from GodANGELIC: Christian Science: inspiration from GodDEATH: Christian Science: the lie of life in matter: that which is unreal and untrueDEVIL: In Christian Science: the opposite of Truth: a belief in sin, sickness, and death: evil, errorHEAVEN: in Christian Science: a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind is manifestHEAVENLY: in Christian Science: a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind is manifestHELL: in Christian Science: error, that is, illusion about the nature of reality that is the cause of human suffering: the contradiction of truthIDEA: Christian Science: an image in MindINTELLIGENCE: Christian Science: the basic eternal quality of divine Mind
Belief Systems: Christianity all sects except Christian Science
ABBACY: the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbotABBATIAL*: of or relating to an abbot, abbess, or abbeyABBEY: an abbey church; also, a monastery ruled by an abbot or a convent ruled by an abbessABBOT: the superior of a monastery for menACOLYTE: one who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor dutiesAGAPE: synonym for love feast: a meal eaten in common by a Christian congregation in token of brotherly love; unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of anotherALTAR: a tablelike construction used in the Christian church in celebrating the EucharistANATHEMA: one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority, or a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunicationATTRITION: sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of God [as compared to contrition]AUXILIARY: auxiliary bishop: a Roman Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of successionBAMBINO*: a representation of the infant Christ, especially in artBAND: bands plural: a pair of strips hanging at the front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dressBAPTIZE: to administer baptism: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community; or: a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purificationBEAD: M-W’s first four definitions are related to prayer, probably from derivation of the word, meaning ‘to pray’BENEFICE: an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attachedBETHEL*: a hallowed spot, or a chapel for Nonconformists, or a place of worship for seamenBIBLICAL: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBIBLICALLY: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBULL: a solemn papal letter sealed with a bulla or with a red-ink imprint of the device on the bullaCANON: a clergyman belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church; also, a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council; or a provision of canon law; also, the most solemn and unvarying part of the Mass including the consecration of the bread and wine; also, an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy ScriptureCANONIC: canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon; also, canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also, canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICAL: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon; also, canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also, canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICALLY: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon; also, canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also, canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONIZATION: to make canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodox; also; to make canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures); also, to sanction by ecclesiastical authority; to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to; also, to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint; also, to make canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANOPY: a baldachin: an ornamental structure resembling a canopy used especially over an altarCARNIVAL: a season or festival of merrymaking before LentCATHOLIC: often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the church universal; also, often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from itCELL: a small religious house dependent on a monastery or convent; also, a single room (as in a convent) usually for one personCHALICE: the eucharistic cupCHANT: plainsongCHOIR: the part of a church occupied by the singers or by the clergy; also: the part of a church where the services are performedCHURCH: a building for public and especially Christian worship; also, the clergy or officialdom of a religious body; also, a body or organization of religious believers; denomination; congregationCHURCHYARD: a yard that belongs to a church and is often used as a burial groundCIRCUIT: a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastor; also, a regular tour (as by a traveling preacher) around an assigned district or territory; also, the route traveled (His circuit took him to many towns in the county.)COIF: a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns; also, to cover or dress with or as if with a coifCOIFED: or coiffed, to cover or dress with or as if with a coif, a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nunsCOIFFED: or coifed, to cover or dress with or as if with a coif, a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns
COIFFING: to cover or dress with or as if with a coif, a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nunsCOLLAR: short for clerical collar: a narrow stiffly upright white collar worn buttoned at the back of the neck by members of the clergyCOLLECT: M-W’s 1st def.: a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion, esp. one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the dayCOLLEGE: M-W’s 1st def.: a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundationCOMITY: avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious denominationCOMMON: a religious service suitable for any of various festivalsCOMMUNION: a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline; also, The Christian sacrament is always capitalized. Small-c communion is the act of receiving CommunionCONCLAVE: a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a popeCONFIRM: to administer the rite of confirmation toCONFOUND: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCONFOUNDED: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCONVENT: a local community or house of a religious order or congregation, especially: an establishment of nunsCOPE: a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestmentCOPED: to cover or furnish with a copeCROOK: a crosier, a staff resembling a shepherd's crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of officeCRYPT: a vault under the main floor of a churchCURACY: the office or term of office of a curate (a member of the clergy in charge of a parish, or [of] a member of the clergy serving as assistant (as to a rector) in a parish)DAMNING: to condemn to a punishment or fate; especially: to condemn to hellDEACON: a subordinate officer in a Christian churchDEAN: the head of the chapter of a collegiate or cathedral church or a Roman Catholic priest who supervises one district of a dioceseDECADE: Roman Catholicism: a division of the rosary that consists primarily of 10 Hail MarysDEVIL: often Devil: the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hellDIABOLIC: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDIABOLICAL: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDOCTOR: M-W’s 1st def.: Christianity: an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic ChurchDOMINATION: dominions plural, Christianity: an order of angelsDOMINION: Christianity: an order of angels in the celestial hierarchyDOOM: Judgment; the final judging of humankind by God; such as Judgement Day: the day of God's judgment of humankind at the end of the world according to various theologiesELECT: (adj.) chosen for salvation through divine mercy; also, (noun) one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor) (the elect)ELEMENT: elements plural: the bread and wine used in the EucharistEMINENCE: a person of high rank or attainments —often used as a title for a cardinalEPIPHANY: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being [Christian Epiphany is always capitalized]EXCELLENCE: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)EXCELLENCY: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)FLOCK: a group under the guidance of a leader, especially: a church congregationFOLD: a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasmFONT: a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFONTAL: related to a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFORMULA: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritualFRIAR: a member of a mendicant order: a religious order (such as the Franciscans) combining monastic life and outside religious activity and originally owning neither personal nor community propertyFRIARY: a monastery of friarsFROCK: (verb) to make a cleric of; also, (noun) an outer garment worn by monks and friars: a habitFRONTAL: a cloth hanging over the front of an altarGODCHILD: a person for whom another person becomes sponsor at baptismGRADUAL: a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass; also, a book containing the choral parts of the MassGUARDIAN: a superior of a Franciscan monasteryHABIT: a nun’s habitHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personHEAVEN: a spiritual state of everlasting communion with God; also (often capitalized): the dwelling place of the Deity and the blessed deadHELL: the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which condemned people suffer everlasting punishment, often used in cursesHIGH: stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony, specifically: high churchHOUR: a time or office for daily liturgical devotion, especially: a canonical hour, a time of day canonically appointed for an office of devotion, or one of the daily offices of devotion that compose the Divine Office and include matins with lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, and complineHYMN: a song of praise to God; a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious service. Here, “hymn” refers to the words. The music for a sung hymn is called a “hymn tune.”HYMNAL: a collection of church hymnsHYMNARY: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsHYMNBOOK: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsICON: in Eastern Orthodox Christianity: a representation (as in a mural, a mosaic, or a painting on wood) of sacred events or especially of a sacred individual (such as Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint) used as an object of veneration or a tool for instructionINDEX: a list of restricted or prohibited material; specifically, Index: a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authoritiesINFIDEL: one who is not a Christian or who opposes ChristianityINTENTION: the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offeredINTROIT*: a piece of music sung or played at the beginning of a worship service; also, often capitalized: the first part of the traditional proper of the Mass consisting of an antiphon, verse from a psalm, and the Gloria PatriLAUD: lauds or Lauds plural in form but singular or plural in construction: an office of solemn praise to God forming with matins the first of the canonical; also, to praise, to extolLAUDED: to praise, to extolLIMBO: often capitalized: an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptismLITANY: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregationLITURGY: often capitalized: a eucharistic rite; also, (uncapitalized) a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship (a baptismal liturgy)LORD: a bishop of the Church of EnglandMAGE: often capitalized: one of the traditionally three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant JesusMAGI: plural of magus, often capitalized: one of the traditionally three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant JesusMANNA: food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness MILLENNIA: plural of millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthMILLENNIAL: of or relating to a millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthNOEL: a Christmas carolNONE: (often capitalized) the fifth of the canonical hoursNUNCIO: a papal legate of the highest rank permanently accredited to a civil governmentPAPACY: the office of pope; also, a succession or line of popes; also, the term of a pope's reignPAPAL: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church; also: resembling a pope or that of a popePAPALLY: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church; also: resembling a pope or that of a popePARDON: an indulgence: remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation); also, to absolve from the consequences of a faultPENANCE: a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor; also, to impose penance onPENITENT: a person who repents of sin; also, a person under church censure but admitted to penance or reconciliation especially under the direction of a confessorPONTIFF: a bishop, especially, often capitalized: a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic ChurchPOPE: often capitalized: a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church; also, the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria; also, a priest of an Eastern church; or one that resembles a pope (as in authority)ROOD: a cross or crucifix symbolizing the cross on which Jesus Christ died; specifically: a large crucifix on a beam or screen at the entrance to the chancel of a churchTEMPLE: a building for sacred ordinances of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsTIARA: a 3-tiered crown worn by the popeTIPPET: a long black scarf worn over the robe by Anglican clergy during morning and evening prayerTRACT: often Tract: verses of Scripture (as from the Psalms) used between the gradual and the Gospel at some masses (as during penitential seasons)TUNIC: a tunicle, a short vestment worn by a subdeacon over the alb during mass and by a bishop under the dalmatic at pontifical ceremoniesTYPE: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPED: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPING: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPOLOGY: a doctrine of theological types, especially: one holding that things in Christian belief are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old TestamentUNIT: a local congregation of Jehovah's WitnessesVICAR: an ecclesiastical agent: such as a Church of England incumbent receiving a stipend but not the tithes of a parish; also, a member of the Episcopal clergy or laity who has charge of a mission or chapel; also, a member of the clergy who exercises a broad pastoral responsibility as the representative of a prelateWARD: the local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints having auxiliary organizations (such as Sunday schools and relief societies) and one or more quorums of each office of the Aaronic priesthoodWINE: wine or a substitute used in Christian communion servicesWORD: in Christianity: the gospel, the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation; also, in Christianity: Logos, the divine wisdom manifest in the creation, government, and redemption of the world and often identified with the second person of the Trinity; also, often Word: the expressed or manifested mind and will of GodYULE: often Yule: the feast of the nativity of Jesus Christ: Christmas
Belief Systems: Hinduism
AVATAR: the incarnation of a Hindu deity (such as Vishnu)BINDI: a mark (such as a red dot) or piece of jewelry worn on the middle of the forehead especially by Hindu womenCHAKRA: any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophyDHARMA: in Hinduism, an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law; or in Hinduism and Buddhism, the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence, divine law; or conformity to one's duty and natureGURU: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in HinduismHATHA: M-W shows only an open compound, hatha yoga: a system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu disciplinesKARMA: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKARMIC: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeMANDALA: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe, specifically: a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to meditationMANTRA: a mystical formula of invocation or incantation (as in Hinduism)PAGODA: a tower in eastern Asia usually with roofs curving upward at the division of each of several stories and erected as a temple or memorial (Wikipedia: “Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist, but sometimes Taoist or Hindu”)TANTRA: one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraTANTRIC: related to tantra, one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraYOGA: a system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation derived from Yoga (a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation) but often practiced independently especially in Western cultures to promote physical and emotional well-beingYOGI: a person who practices yoga; also, a markedly reflective or mystical personYOGINI: not in M-W; Collins has yogini, in American English, a woman who practices yoga
Belief Systems: Islam
AYATOLLAH: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imamFATWA: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leaderHADITH*: a narrative record of the sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions; also, the collective body of traditions relating to Muhammad and his companionsHALAL: sanctioned by Islamic law, especially: ritually fit for useHARAM: forbidden by Islamic lawHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personIMAM: the prayer leader of a mosque; also, a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad; also, any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim regionMULLAH: an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official post
Belief Systems: Judaism
CABALA: less common spelling of kabbalah: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy …CANTOR: a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayerCHALLAH: egg-rich yeast-leavened bread that is usually braided or twisted before baking and is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath and holidaysCHUPPAH: a canopy under which the bride and groom stand during a Jewish wedding ceremonyGELT: chocolate candy in the shape of coins often given to Jewish children at HanukkahHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personKABBALAH: or less commonly cabala: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgyKIPPA: M-W: variant of kippah, a yarmulke, a skullcap worn especially by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the synagogue and the homeMANNA: food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness MATZO: unleavened bread eaten especially at the Passover; also, a wafer of matzoMINYAN*: the quorum required for Jewish communal worship that consists of ten male adults in Orthodox Judaism and usually ten adults of either sex in Conservative and Reform JudaismMOHEL: a person who performs ritual Jewish circumcisionsRABBI: a Jew trained and ordained for professional religious leadershipspecifically: the official leader of a Jewish congregation; also, a Jew qualified to expound and apply the halacha and other Jewish lawRABBINIC: or rabbinical, of or relating to rabbis or their writings; also, of or preparing for the rabbinateRABBINICAL: or rabbinic, of or relating to rabbis or their writings; also, of or preparing for the rabbinateTALLIT: a shawl with fringed corners worn over the head or shoulders by Jewish men especially during morning prayersTEMPLE: often Temple: either of two successive national sanctuaries in ancient Jerusalem; also, the house of worship of Reform and some Conservative Jewish congregationsTORAH: M-W capitalizes Torah: the body of wisdom and law contained in Jewish Scripture and other sacred literature and oral tradition; also, the five books of Moses constituting the Pentateuch; also, a leather or parchment scroll of the Pentateuch used in a synagogue for liturgical purposes; Collins has torah: learning, law, instruction, etc.; Collins also says of Torah, “sometimes lc”
Belief Systems: Others
ANKH: a cross having a loop for its upper vertical arm and serving especially in ancient Egypt as an emblem of lifeCOVEN: an assembly or band of usually 13 witchesCULT: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body of adherents (the voodoo cult, a satanic cult)CULTIC: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body of adherents (the voodoo cult, a satanic cult)DRUID: often capitalized: one of an ancient Celtic priesthood appearing in Irish and Welsh sagas and Christian legends as magicians and wizardsLIGHT: spiritual illumination; also, inner light: a divine presence held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the soul; also, enlightenment: in Buddhism: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or sufferingMAGE: a magus, a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and PersiansMAGI: plural of magus, a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and PersiansMEETING: a permanent organizational unit of the Society of FriendsPAGAN: a person who practices a contemporary form of paganism (such as Wicca): neo-pagan; also, (adj.): of, relating to, or having the characteristics of pagans; also, old fashioned + often offensive: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; also (history): a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome or Greece)PAGODA: a tower in eastern Asia usually with roofs curving upward at the division of each of several stories and erected as a temple or memorial (Wikipedia: “Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist, but sometimes Taoist or Hindu”)POWWOW: an American Indian medicine man, a person especially among American Indian groups who is believed to possess supernatural powers that can heal illnesses and keep away evil spirits: shamanTORII: a Japanese gateway of light construction commonly built at the approach to a Shinto shrineTOTEM: an object (such as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry; also: a usually carved or painted representation of such an object; also, a family or clan identified by a common totemic object; also, one that serves as an emblem or revered symbolVOODOO: a religion that is derived from African polytheism and ancestor worship and is practiced chiefly in Haiti; also, of, relating to, or practicing voodoo (voodoo rituals)WITCH: or less commonly Witch : a practitioner of witchcraft especially in adherence with a neo-pagan tradition or religion (such as Wicca)YANG: the masculine active principle in nature that in Chinese cosmology is exhibited in light, heat, or dryness and that combines with yin to produce all that comes to beZOMBIE: a will-less and speechless human (as in voodoo belief and in fictional stories) held to have died and been supernaturally reanimated; also, the supernatural power that according to voodoo belief may enter into and reanimate a dead body
Beliefs and Nonbeliefs faith, not opinion
ANGEL: Christian Science: inspiration from GodATTRITION: sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of GodBELIEF: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing (her belief in God, a belief in democracy, contrary to popular belief); also, an individual's religious or political beliefs, especially: a tenet or body of tenets held by a group (the beliefs of the Catholic Church)BELIEVE: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factBELIEVING: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion: to regard the existence of God as a factCABALA: less common spelling of kabbalah: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy …CANT: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love)CANTING*: the insincere use of pious words (the cant of hypocrites); also, to talk hypocritically (canted about brotherly love); also, (adj.) affectedly pious or righteousCARNAL: temporal (spiritual and eternal over the carnal); worldly (a carnal mind)CARNALLY: temporal (spiritual and eternal over the carnal); worldly (a carnal mind)CHAKRA: any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophyDEVOTION: religious fervor: pietyEDIFIED: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; to uplift; also: to enlighten, informEDIFY: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; to uplift; also: to enlighten, informEDIFYING: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge; to uplift; also: to enlighten, informELEVATE: to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally (great books that both entertain and elevate their readers)ELEVATED: to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally (great books that both entertain and elevate their readers)ENLIGHTEN: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTEN: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTENING: to give spiritual insight toENLIGHTENING: to give spiritual insight toFAITH: belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proofHEATHEN: adj. old-fashioned + often disparaging: of or relating to people or nations that do not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam: of or relating to heathens, or noun old-fashioned + often disparaging: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity; or noun old-fashioned + disapproving: a nonreligious or uncultured personHOLILY*: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessHOLY: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousnessIDEA: Christian Science: an image in MindINFIDEL: an unbeliever with respect to a particular religion; one who acknowledges no religious belief; not holding the faith of a given religion (the infidel nations); opposing or traitorous to a given religion (an infidel sect)INNOCENCE: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil: blamelessnessINNOCENT: free from guilt or sin especially through lack of knowledge of evil: blameless; a person free from sin: a young childKABBALAH: or less commonly cabala: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgyKARMA: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeKARMIC: often capitalized: the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence; broadly: such a force considered as affecting the events of one's lifeLAMP: a source of intellectual or spiritual illuminationLIFE: spiritual existence transcending physical death (life after death)LIGHT: spiritual illumination; also, inner light: a divine presence held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the soul; also, enlightenment: in Buddhism: a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or sufferingLOVE: a person's adoration of God; also, the fatherly concern of God for humankindMARTYR: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion; also, to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or professionMARTYRDOM: the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faithNATURAL: formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation (natural religion, natural rights); also, occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature: not marvelous or supernatural natural causes (died a natural death); of, relating to, or operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual world (Natural laws describe phenomena of the physical universe.); being in a state of nature without spiritual enlightenment: unregenerate (natural man) NEOPHYTE: a proselyte, a new convert (as to a faith or cause)NONBELIEF: absence or lack of belief, especially: absence or lack of religious beliefPAGAN: old fashioned + often offensive: a person who is not religious or whose religion is not Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity: a heathen; also (literary): one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods: a nonreligious hedonistic person; also, (adj.): of, relating to, or having the characteristics of pagansPIETY: dutifulness in religion: devoutness; also, an act inspired by pietyTHEOLOGY: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, especially: the study of God and of God's relation to the world; also, a theological theory or system (Thomist theology, a theology of atonement); also, a distinctive body of theological opinion (Catholic theology); also, a usually 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminaryTRUTH: often Truth: a transcendent fundamental or spiritual realityTURN: to change one's religion (turned to Buddhism, turned away from Christianity)UNBELIEF: incredulity or skepticism especially in matters of religious faithUNCTION: religious or spiritual fervor or the expression of such fervor (… the young prelate … spoke with earnest unction. —Edward Bulwer-Lytton); also, exaggerated, assumed, or superficial earnestness of language or manner: unctuousness: having, revealing, or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spiritualityUNGODLY: denying or disobeying God: impious, irreligiousVOTARY: a devout or zealous worshipper
Doctrine, Dogma, Rules
ABOVE: heaven; also, in or to heavenBELOW: on earth, or in or to hades or hell; alsoBLAZE: blazes plural: hell (go to blazes)CANON: a regulation or dogma decreed by a church council; or a provision of canon lawCANONIC: canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONICAL: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONICALLY: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONIZATION: to make canonical: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure: orthodoxCANONIZATION: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority; to attribute authoritative sanction or approval toCHURCHY: marked by strict conformity or zealous adherence to the forms or beliefs of a churchCLAY: the human body as distinguished from the spiritCLEAN: ceremonially or spiritually pure (and all who are clean may eat flesh —Leviticus 7:19)COMITY: avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious denominationDEATH: Christian Science: the lie of life in matter: that which is unreal and untrueDEBT: sin, trespass (forgive us our debts.)DEVIL: In Christian Science: the opposite of Truth: a belief in sin, sickness, and death: evil, errorDHARMA: in Hinduism, an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law; or in Hinduism and Buddhism, the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence, divine law; or conformity to one's duty and natureDOOM: Judgment; the final judging of humankind by God; such as Judgement Day: the day of God's judgment of humankind at the end of the world according to various theologiesELECT: (adj.) chosen for salvation through divine mercy; also, (noun) one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor) (the elect)FALL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLEN: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLING: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFALLS: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFATWA: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leaderFELL: to commit an immoral act (man fell into sin), especially: to lose one's chastityFOUL: morally or spiritually odiousFOULLY: morally or spiritually odiousHALAL: sanctioned by Islamic law, especially: ritually fit for useHARAM: forbidden by Islamic lawHEAVEN: a spiritual state of everlasting communion with God; also (often capitalized): the dwelling place of the Deity and the blessed dead; also, in Christian Science: a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind is manifestHEAVENLY: suggesting the blessed state of heaven: beatificHELL: in Christian Science: error, that is, illusion about the nature of reality that is the cause of human suffering: the contradiction of truthHIGH: stressing matters of doctrine and ceremony, specifically: high churchHOLIDAY: a holy day (an important Muslim holiday)INDEX: a list of restricted or prohibited material; specifically, Index: a formerly published list of books the reading of which was prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church authoritiesINFALLIBLE: incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or moralsINFALLIBLY: incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or moralsINTELLIGENCE: Christian Science: the basic eternal quality of divine MindKOAN: a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining sudden intuitive enlightenmentLIMBO: often capitalized: an abode of souls that are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from heaven because of not having received Christian baptismLIVE: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVED: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)LIVING: to attain eternal life (though he die, yet shall he live—John 11:25)MANNA: divinely supplied spiritual nourishmentMILLENNIA: plural of millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthMILLENNIAL: of or relating to a millennium, the thousand years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earthNIRVANA: the final beatitude (state of utmost bliss) that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousnessOFFEND: to transgress the moral or divine law: to sinOFFENDED: to transgress the moral or divine law: to sinOFFENDING: to transgress the moral or divine law: to sinPARDON: an indulgence: remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation); also, to absolve from the consequences of a faultPENITENT: a person who repents of sin; also, a person under church censure but admitted to penance or reconciliation especially under the direction of a confessorPILLAR: a fundamental precept (the five pillars of Islam)POLLUTE: to make ceremonially or morally impure: to defile
POLLUTED: to make ceremonially or morally impure: to defileRITUAL: according to religious law (ritual purity)THEOLOGY: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, especially: the study of God and of God's relation to the world; also, a theological theory or system (Thomist theology, a theology of atonement); also, a distinctive body of theological opinion (Catholic theology); also, a usually 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminaryTYPE: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPED: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPING: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPOLOGY: a doctrine of theological types, especially: one holding that things in Christian belief are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old TestamentWELKIN: the celestial abode of God or the gods: heavenWORD: in Christianity: the gospel, the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation; also, in Christianity: Logos, the divine wisdom manifest in the creation, government, and redemption of the world and often identified with the second person of the Trinity; also, often Word: the expressed or manifested mind and will of GodWORK: works plural: performance of moral or religious acts (salvation by works)WRATH: retributory punishment for an offense or a crime: divine chastisement
Ecclesiastical Buildings and Architecture
ABBEY: an abbey churchALTAR: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual; a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worshipBETHEL*: a chapel for Nonconformists, or a place of worship for seamenCANOPY: a baldachin: an ornamental structure resembling a canopy used especially over an altarCELL: a small religious house dependent on a monastery or convent; also, a single room (as in a convent) usually for one personCHANCEL: the part of a church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choirCHOIR: the part of a church occupied by the singers or by the clergy; also: the part of a church where the services are performedCHURCH: a building for public and especially Christian worshipCHURCHYARD: a yard that belongs to a church and is often used as a burial groundCOLLEGE: a building used for an educational or religious purposeCRYPT: a vault under the main floor of a churchDEDICATE: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesDEDICATED: to devote to the worship of a divine being; specifically: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses with solemn ritesLOFT: a gallery in a church (a choir or organ loft)NAVE: the main part of the interior of a church, especially: the long narrow central hall in a cruciform church that rises higher than the aisles flanking it to form a clerestoryORATORY: a place of prayer; especially: a private or institutional chapelPAGODA: a tower in eastern Asia usually with roofs curving upward at the division of each of several stories and erected as a temple or memorial (Wikipedia: “Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist, but sometimes Taoist or Hindu”)PANTHEON: a temple dedicated to all the godsPODIA: the masonry under the stylobate (a continuous flat coping or pavement supporting a row of architectural columns) of a templePORTAL: the whole architectural composition surrounding and including the doorways and porches of a church (the cathedral's west portal)PULPIT: an elevated platform or high reading desk used in preaching or conducting a worship serviceTOPE: a stupa, a usually dome-shaped structure (such as a mound) serving as a Buddhist shrineTORII: a Japanese gateway of light construction commonly built at the approach to a Shinto shrine
Gods, Demons, and Angels
ANGEL: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyANGELIC: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation; especially: one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchyAVATAR: the incarnation of a Hindu deity (such as Vishnu)BAMBINO*: a representation of the infant Christ, especially in artCANONIZATION: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saintCHOIR: a division of angelsDEICIDE: the act of killing a divine being or a symbolic substitute of such a being, or the killer or destroyer of a godDEIFIED: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFY: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEIFYING: to make a god of, or to take as an object of worshipDEITY: the rank or essential nature of a god: divinityDEMON: an evil spirit (e.g., angels and demons)DEVIL: often Devil: the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hellDIABOLIC: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDIABOLICAL: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devilDIVINE: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityDIVINELY: adj.: of, relating to, or proceeding directly from a god; being a deity; directed to a deityDOMINATION: dominions plural, Christianity: an order of angelsDOMINION: Christianity: an order of angels in the celestial hierarchyEMBODIED: to give a body to (a spirit): incarnateEPIPHANY: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being [Christian Epiphany is always capitalized]FIEND: the devilGODHOOD*: divinityGODLY: divineHELL: the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which condemned people suffer everlasting punishment, often used in cursesHIGH: Heaven (wisdom from on high)HORN: a part like an animal's horn attributed especially to the devilINTELLIGENCE: an intelligent entity, especially: an angelJUDICIAL: arising from a judgment of GodLOVE: a god (such as Cupid or Eros) or personification of lovePANTHEON: the gods of a people, especially: the officially recognized gods
Organizations and Congregations
ABBEY: a monastery ruled by an abbot or a convent ruled by an abbessBETHEL*: a hallowed spot, or a chapel for Nonconformists, or a place of worship for seamenCATHOLIC: often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the church universal; also, often capitalized: of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from itCHURCH: a body or organization of religious believers; denomination; congregationCIRCUIT: a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastorCOMMUNION: a body of Christians having a common faith and disciplineCONVENT: a local community or house of a religious order or congregation, especially: an establishment of nunsCOVEN: an assembly or band of usually 13 witchesFLOCK: a group under the guidance of a leader, especially: a church congregationFOLD: a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasmFRIARY: a monastery of friarsLAIC: or laical, of or relating to the laity: secularLAICAL: or laic; of or relating to the laity: secularLAICALLY*: of or relating to the laity: secularLAICIZE: to reduce to lay status; to put under the direction of or open to the laityLAITY: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergyLAYMAN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYMEN: a person who is not a member of the clergyLAYPEOPLE: plural of layperson, a member of the laityLAYWOMAN: a woman who is a member of the laityOBEDIENCE: an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion (under the obedience of the Bishop of Rome)PRIORY: a religious house under a prior or prioressTITHE: a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment; also, the obligation represented by individual tithes; also, to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of a religious establishment or organization; to give a tenth of one's income as a titheTITHED: a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment; also, the obligation represented by individual tithes; also, to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of a religious establishment or organization; to give a tenth of one's income as a titheTITHING: a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment; also, the obligation represented by individual tithes; also, to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of a religious establishment or organization; to give a tenth of one's income as a titheUNIT: a local congregation of Jehovah's WitnessesWARD: the local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints having auxiliary organizations (such as Sunday schools and relief societies) and one or more quorums of each office of the Aaronic priesthood
Persons, Roles, and Offices
ABBACY: the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbotABBATIAL*: of or relating to an abbot, abbess, or abbeyABBOT: the superior of a monastery for menACOLYTE: one who assists a member of the clergy in a liturgical service by performing minor dutiesARHAT: a Buddhist who has reached the stage of enlightenmentAUXILIARY: auxiliary bishop: a Roman Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of successionAYATOLLAH: a religious leader among Shiite Muslims used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an imamBENEFICE: an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attachedCALL: an invitation to become the minister of a church; a divine vocation or strong inner promptingCANON: a clergyman belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate churchCANONIC: canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANONICAL: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANONICALLY: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANONIZATION: to make canonical: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canonCANTOR: a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayer; also, a precentor, a leader of the singing of a choir or congregation [in a house of worship]CELIBACY: abstention by vow from marriageCELIBATE: abstaining from marriage and sex especially because of a religious vow; one who abstains from marriage because of a religious vowCHURCH: the clergy or officialdom of a religious bodyCIRCUIT: a regular tour (as by a traveling preacher) around an assigned district or territory; also, the route traveled (His circuit took him to many towns in the county.)CLOTH: the dress of the clergy; also, the clergy (had respect for the cloth)COLLEGE: M-W’s 1st def.: a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundationCONCLAVE: a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a popeCURACY: the office or term of office of a curate (a member of the clergy in charge of a parish, or [of] a member of the clergy serving as assistant (as to a rector) in a parish)DEACON: a subordinate officer in a Christian churchDEAN: the head of the chapter of a collegiate or cathedral church or a Roman Catholic priest who supervises one district of a dioceseDIVINE: a clergyman or theologianDOCTOR: M-W’s 1st def.: Christianity: an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic ChurchDRUID: often capitalized: one of an ancient Celtic priesthood appearing in Irish and Welsh sagas and Christian legends as magicians and wizardsEMINENCE: a person of high rank or attainments —often used as a title for a cardinalEXCELLENCE: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)EXCELLENCY: used as a title for high dignitaries of state (such as a governor or an ambassador) or church (such as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)FRIAR: a member of a mendicant order: a religious order (such as the Franciscans) combining monastic life and outside religious activity and originally owning neither personal nor community propertyFROCK: (verb) to make a cleric ofGUARDIAN: a superior of a Franciscan monasteryGURU: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in HinduismIMAM: the prayer leader of a mosque; also, a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad; also, any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim regionLAMA: a Tibetan Buddhist monkLORD: a bishop of the Church of EnglandMARTYR: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion; also, to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or professionMARTYRDOM: the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faithMOHEL: a person who performs ritual Jewish circumcisionsMONK: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monasteryMULLAH: an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official postNEOPHYTE: a novice, a person admitted to probationary membership in a religious communityNOVICE: a person admitted to probationary membership in a religious communityNUNCIO: a papal legate of the highest rank permanently accredited to a civil governmentNUNHOOD: the status or calling of a nun, a woman belonging to a religious order, especially one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedienceOBLATE: a layman living in a monastery under a modified rule and without vows; also, a member of one of several Roman Catholic communities of men or womenOFFICIANT: someone (such as a priest) who officiates at a religious riteOFFICIATION: the act of officiating: to perform a ceremony, function, or duty (e.g., to officiate at a wedding); to serve as a leader or celebrant of (a ceremony, a formal event, etc.)ORDAIN: to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority (was ordained as a priest)ORDINARY: a prelate exercising original jurisdiction over a specified territory or group (The ordinary of a diocese is a bishop.); also, a clergyman appointed formerly in England to attend condemned criminalsPAPACY: the office of pope; also, a succession or line of popes; also, the term of a pope's reignPAPAL: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church; also: resembling a pope or that of a popePAPALLY: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church; also: resembling a pope or that of a popePONTIFF: a bishop, especially, often capitalized: a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church; also, a pontifex, a member of the council of priests in ancient RomePOPE: often capitalized: a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church; also, the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria; also, a priest of an Eastern church; or one that resembles a pope (as in authority)POWWOW: an American Indian medicine man, a person especially among American Indian groups who is believed to possess supernatural powers that can heal illnesses and keep away evil spirits: shamanPRIOR: the superior ranking next to the abbot of a monastery; also, the superior of a house or group of houses of any of various religious communitiesPULPIT: the preaching profession (he aspires to the pulpit); also, a preaching position (she holds the pulpit at the local Baptist church)RABBI: a Jew trained and ordained for professional religious leadershipspecifically: the official leader of a Jewish congregation; also, a Jew qualified to expound and apply the halacha and other Jewish lawRABBINIC: or rabbinical, of or relating to rabbis or their writings; also, of or preparing for the rabbinateRABBINICAL: or rabbinic, of or relating to rabbis or their writings; also, of or preparing for the rabbinateTITULAR: bearing a title derived from a defunct ecclesiastical jurisdiction (such as an episcopal see) (a titular bishop)VEIL: the life of a nun —often used in the phrase take the veilVICAR: an ecclesiastical agent: such as a Church of England incumbent receiving a stipend but not the tithes of a parish; also, a member of the Episcopal clergy or laity who has charge of a mission or chapel; also, a member of the clergy who exercises a broad pastoral responsibility as the representative of a prelateVIRGIN: an unmarried woman devoted to religion
Rituals, Rites, Prayer, and Worship
AGAPE: synonym for love feast: a meal eaten in common by a Christian congregation in token of brotherly love; unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of anotherALTAR: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual; a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worshipANATHEMA: one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority, or a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunicationANOINT: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentANOINTING: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony; also, to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate as if by a ritual anointmentBAPTIZE: to administer baptism: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community; or: a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purificationBEAD: M-W’s first four definitions are related to prayer, probably from derivation of the word, meaning ‘to pray’CANON: the most solemn and unvarying part of the Mass including the consecration of the bread and wineCARNIVAL: a season or festival of merrymaking before LentCHURCHY: of or suggestive of a church or church servicesCOLLECT: M-W’s 1st def.: a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion, esp. one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the dayCOMMON: a religious service suitable for any of various festivalsCOMMUNION: The Christian sacrament is always capitalized. Small-c communion is the act of receiving CommunionCONFIRM: to administer the rite of confirmation toCONFOUND: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCONFOUNDED: to damn, to condemn to a punishment or fate, especially: to condemn to hellCULT: formal religious veneration: worshipCULTIC: formal religious veneration: worshipDAMN: to condemn to a punishment or fate; especially: to condemn to hellDAMNATION: the act of damning: the state of being damnedDAMNING: to condemn to a punishment or fate; especially: to condemn to hellDECADE: Roman Catholicism: a division of the rosary that consists primarily of 10 Hail MarysDEVOTION: an act of prayer or private worship, used in plural; also a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregationELEMENT: elements plural: the bread and wine used in the EucharistFORMULA: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritualGAVE: to administer as a sacramentGELT: chocolate candy in the shape of coins often given to Jewish children at HanukkahGIVE: to administer as a sacramentGIVEN: to administer as a sacramentGIVING: to administer as a sacramentGLORIFY: to give glory to (as in worship); to elevate to celestial glory; to represent as glorious: extolGLORY: worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgivingGODCHILD: a person for whom another person becomes sponsor at baptismHATHA: M-W shows only an open compound, hatha yoga: a system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu disciplinesHOUR: a time or office for daily liturgical devotion, especially: a canonical hour, a time of day canonically appointed for an office of devotion, or one of the daily offices of devotion that compose the Divine Office and include matins with lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, and complineINTENTION: the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offeredLAUD: lauds or Lauds plural in form but singular or plural in construction: an office of solemn praise to God forming with matins the first of the canonical; also, to praise, to extolLAUDED: to praise, to extolLITANY: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregationLITURGY: often capitalized: a eucharistic rite; also, (uncapitalized) a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship (a baptismal liturgy)MANTRA: a mystical formula of invocation or incantation (as in Hinduism)MEDITATE: to engage in contemplation or reflection; to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awarenessMEDITATED: to engage in contemplation or reflection; to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awarenessMEDITATIVE: marked by or conducive to meditation; disposed or given to meditationMINYAN*: the quorum required for Jewish communal worship that consists of ten male adults in Orthodox Judaism and usually ten adults of either sex in Conservative and Reform JudaismMORTIFY: to subdue or deaden (the body, bodily appetites, etc.) especially by abstinence or self-inflicted pain or discomfort (mortified his body for spiritual purification); to practice mortification, the subjection and denial of bodily passions and appetites by abstinence or self-inflicted pain or discomfortNONE: (often capitalized) the fifth of the canonical hoursOCTAVE: an 8-day period of observances beginning with a festival dayOFFICE: a prescribed form or service of worship, specifically, Office: divine office; also, a religious or social ceremonial observance: a riteOFFICIANT: someone (such as a priest) who officiates at a religious riteOFFICIATION: the act of officiating: to perform a ceremony, function, or duty (e.g., to officiate at a wedding); to serve as a leader or celebrant of (a ceremony, a formal event, etc.)ORDINARY: often capitalized: the parts of the Mass that do not vary from day to day (The "Our Father" is part of the ordinary of the Mass.)ORGY: secret ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman deity and usually characterized by ecstatic singing and dancing (e.g., Roman orgies in honor of Bacchus)PALL: a square of linen usually stiffened with cardboard that is used to cover the chalicePENANCE: a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor; also, to impose penance onPOWWOW: an American Indian ceremony (as for victory in war)PRAY: to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgivingRITUAL: the established form for a ceremony, specifically: the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony; also, ritual observance, specifically: a system of rites; also, of or relating to rites or a ritual: ceremonial (a ritual dance)TANTRA: one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraTANTRIC: related to tantra, one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraTIDE: an ecclesiastical anniversary or festival, also: its season —usually used in combination (Eastertide, Yuletide)TOUCH: to lay hands upon (one afflicted with scrofula) with intent to heal; to lay hand or finger on a person to cure disease (such as scrofula)TOUCHED: to lay hands upon (one afflicted with scrofula) with intent to heal; to lay hand or finger on a person to cure disease (such as scrofula)TRACT: often Tract: verses of Scripture (as from the Psalms) used between the gradual and the Gospel at some masses (as during penitential seasons)UNCTION: the act of anointing as a rite of consecration or healingVICTIM: a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious riteVICTIMIZE: to make a victim, a living being sacrificed to a deity or in the performance of a religious riteVIGIL: a watch formerly kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer or other devotions; also, the day before a religious feast observed as a day of spiritual preparation; also, evening or nocturnal devotions or prayers —usually used in pluralVOTIVE: consisting of or expressing a vow, wish, or desire (a votive prayer, a votive hope); also, offered or performed in fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotionWAKE: a vigil, a watch formerly kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer or other devotions; also, the festivities originally connected with the wake of an English parish church —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction; also, an annual English parish festival formerly held in commemoration of the church's patron saint WATCH: a wake over a dead body; also, to keep vigil as a devotional exerciseWATCHED: a wake over a dead body; also, to keep vigil as a devotional exerciseWEDDING: a marriage ceremony usually with its accompanying festivities: nuptials; also, a wedding anniversary or its celebration (a golden wedding); also, to take for wife or husband by a formal ceremony: to marry; to join in marriage; to enter into matrimonyWINE: wine or a substitute used in Christian communion servicesYULE: often Yule: the feast of the nativity of Jesus Christ: Christmas
Symbols, Objects, and Dress
ANKH: a cross having a loop for its upper vertical arm and serving especially in ancient Egypt as an emblem of lifeBAND: bands plural: a pair of strips hanging at the front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dressBINDI: a mark (such as a red dot) or piece of jewelry worn on the middle of the forehead especially by Hindu womenCHALICE: the eucharistic cupCHALLAH: egg-rich yeast-leavened bread that is usually braided or twisted before baking and is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath and holidaysCHUPPAH: a canopy under which the bride and groom stand during a Jewish wedding ceremonyCLOTH: the dress of the clergy; also, the clergy (had respect for the cloth)COIF: a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns; also, to cover or dress with or as if with a coifCOIFED: or coiffed, to cover or dress with or as if with a coif, a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nunsCOIFFED: or coifed, to cover or dress with or as if with a coif, a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns
COIFFING: to cover or dress with or as if with a coif, a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nunsCOLLAR: short for clerical collar: a narrow stiffly upright white collar worn buttoned at the back of the neck by members of the clergyCOPE: a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestmentCOPED: to cover or furnish with a copeCROOK: a crosier, a staff resembling a shepherd's crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of officeFONT: a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFONTAL: related to a receptacle for baptismal water or a receptacle for holy waterFROCK: (noun) an outer garment worn by monks and friars: a habitFRONTAL: a cloth hanging over the front of an altarHABIT: a nun’s habitHALO: an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereignICON: in Eastern Orthodox Christianity: a representation (as in a mural, a mosaic, or a painting on wood) of sacred events or especially of a sacred individual (such as Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint) used as an object of veneration or a tool for instructionIDOL: a representation or symbol of an object of worshipKIPPA: M-W: variant of kippah, a yarmulke, a skullcap worn especially by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the synagogue and the homeMATZO: unleavened bread eaten especially at the Passover; also, a wafer of matzoMEDAL: a small usually metal object bearing a religious emblem or pictureMITRAL: resembling a miter, a liturgical headdress worn by bishops and abbotsPALL: a pallium, a white woolen band with pendants in front and back worn over the chasuble by a pope or archbishop as a symbol of full episcopal authorityPENTACLE: a pentagram, a figure of a 5-pointed star usually made with alternate points connected by a continuous line and used as a magic or occult symbol; also: a similar 6-pointed star (such as a Solomon's seal)ROOD: a cross or crucifix symbolizing the cross on which Jesus Christ died; specifically: a large crucifix on a beam or screen at the entrance to the chancel of a churchTALLIT: a shawl with fringed corners worn over the head or shoulders by Jewish men especially during morning prayersTIARA: a 3-tiered crown worn by the popeTIPPET: a long black scarf worn over the robe by Anglican clergy during morning and evening prayerTUNIC: a tunicle, a short vestment worn by a subdeacon over the alb during mass and by a bishop under the dalmatic at pontifical ceremoniesTURBAN: a headdress worn chiefly in countries of the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia consisting of a long cloth that is wrapped around a cap (as by Muslims) or directly around the head (as by Sikhs and Hindus)VEIL: the outer covering of a nun's headdress; also, any of various liturgical cloths, especially: a cloth used to cover the chaliceVOTIVE: a short thick candle used especially as a prayer offering: a votive candle
Words and Music
AMEN: used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion)ANTHEM: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively; also, a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the ScripturesBIBLICAL: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBIBLICALLY: of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible, or a biblical passage; or suggestive of the Bible or Bible timesBULL: a solemn papal letter sealed with a bulla or with a red-ink imprint of the device on the bullaCANON: an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy ScriptureCANONIC: canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICAL: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONICALLY: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANONIZATION: to make canonical: of, relating to, or forming a canon (canonical scriptures)CANTOR: a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayer; also, a precentor, a leader of the singing of a choir or congregation [in a house of worship]CHANT: plainsongGRADUAL: a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the Epistle in the Mass; also, a book containing the choral parts of the MassHADITH*: a narrative record of the sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions; also, the collective body of traditions relating to Muhammad and his companionsHYMN: a song of praise to God; a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious service. Here, “hymn” refers to the words. The music for a sung hymn is called a “hymn tune.”HYMNAL: a collection of church hymnsHYMNARY: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsHYMNBOOK: a hymnal, a collection of church hymnsINTROIT*: a piece of music sung or played at the beginning of a worship service; also, often capitalized: the first part of the traditional proper of the Mass consisting of an antiphon, verse from a psalm, and the Gloria PatriNATION: in the Bible: a non-Jewish nationality (why do the nations conspire—Psalms 2:1)NOEL: a Christmas carolTANTRA: one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraTANTRIC: related to tantra, one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices outlined in the tantraTEXT: a verse or passage of Scripture chosen especially for the subject of a sermon or for authoritative support (as for a doctrine)TONGUE: ecstatic, typically unintelligible utterance occurring especially in a moment of religious excitation —usually pluralTORAH: M-W capitalizes Torah: the body of wisdom and law contained in Jewish Scripture and other sacred literature and oral tradition; also, the five books of Moses constituting the Pentateuch; also, a leather or parchment scroll of the Pentateuch used in a synagogue for liturgical purposes; Collins has torah: learning, law, instruction, etc.; Collins also says of Torah, “sometimes lc”TRACT: a pamphlet or leaflet of political or religious propaganda; also: a piece of writing that is suggestive of such a tract; also, often Tract: verses of Scripture (as from the Psalms) used between the gradual and the Gospel at some masses (as during penitential seasons)TYPE: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPED: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPING: a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament); to represent beforehand as a type: to prefigureTYPOLOGY: a doctrine of theological types, especially: one holding that things in Christian belief are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old TestamentWORD: in Christianity: the gospel, the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation; also, in Christianity: Logos, the divine wisdom manifest in the creation, government, and redemption of the world and often identified with the second person of the Trinity; also, often Word: the expressed or manifested mind and will of God
Spelling Bee words related to
BELIEF SYSTEMS
ABBACYABBATIAL*ABBEYABBOTABOVEACOLYTEAGAPEALTARAMENANATHEMAANGELANGELICANKHANOINTANOINTINGANTHEMARHATATTRITIONAUXILIARYAVATARAYATOLLAHBAMBINO*BANDBAPTIZEBEADBELIEFBELIEVEBELIEVINGBELOWBENEFICEBETHEL*BIBLICALBIBLICALLYBINDIBLAZEBULLCABALACALLCANONCANONICCANONICALCANONICALLYCANONIZATIONCANOPYCANTCANTING*CANTORCARNALCARNALLYCARNIVALCATHOLICCELIBACYCELIBATECELLCHAKRACHALICECHALLAHCHANCELCHANTCHOIRCHUPPAHCHURCHCHURCHYCHURCHYARDCIRCUITCLAYCLEANCLOTHCOIFCOIFEDCOIFFED
COIFFINGCOLLARCOLLECTCOLLEGECOMITYCOMMONCOMMUNIONCONCLAVECONFIRMCONFOUNDCONFOUNDEDCONVENTCOPECOPEDCOVENCROOKCRYPTCULTCULTICCURACYDAMNDAMNATIONDAMNINGDEACONDEANDEATHDEBTDECADEDEDICATEDEDICATEDDEICIDEDEIFIEDDEIFYDEIFYINGDEITYDEMONDEVILDEVOTIONDHARMADIABOLICDIABOLICALDIVINEDIVINELYDOCTORDOMINATIONDOMINIONDOOMDRUIDEDIFIEDEDIFYEDIFYINGELECTELEMENTELEVATEELEVATEDEMBODIEDEMINENCEENLIGHTENENLIGHTENINGEPIPHANYEXCELLENCEEXCELLENCYFAITHFALLFALLENFALLINGFALLSFATWAFELLFIENDFLOCKFOLDFONTFONTALFORMULAFOULFOULLYFRIARFRIARYFROCKFRONTALGAVEGELTGIVEGIVENGIVINGGLORIFYGLORYGODCHILDGODHOOD*GODLYGRADUALGUARDIANGURUHABITHADITH*HALALHALOHARAMHATHAHEATHENHEAVENHEAVENLYHELLHIGHHOLIDAYHOLILY*HOLYHORNHOURHYMNHYMNALHYMNARYHYMNBOOK
ICONIDEAIDOLIMAMINDEXINFALLIBLEINFALLIBLYINFIDELINNOCENCEINNOCENTINTELLIGENCEINTENTIONINTROIT*JUDICIALKABBALAHKARMAKARMICKIPPAKOANLAICLAICALLAICALLY*LAICIZELAITYLAMALAMPLAUDLAUDEDLAYMANLAYMENLAYPEOPLELAYWOMANLIFELIGHTLIMBOLITANYLITURGYLIVELIVEDLIVINGLOFTLORDLOVEMAGEMAGIMANDALAMANNAMANTRAMARTYRMARTYRDOMMATZOMEDALMEDITATEMEDITATEDMEDITATIVEMEETINGMILLENNIAMILLENNIALMINYAN*MITRALMOHELMONKMORTIFYMULLAHNATIONNATURALNAVENEOPHYTENIRVANANOELNONBELIEFNONENOVICENUNCIONUNHOODOBEDIENCEOBLATEOCTAVEOFFENDOFFENDEDOFFENDINGOFFICEOFFICIANTOFFICIATIONORATORYORDAINORDINARYORGYPAGANPAGODAPALLPANTHEONPAPACYPAPALPAPALLYPARDONPENANCEPENITENTPENTACLEPIETYPILLARPODIAPOLLUTE
POLLUTEDPONTIFFPOPEPORTALPOWWOWPRAYPRIORPRIORYPULPITRABBIRABBINICRABBINICALRITUALROODTALLITTANTRATANTRICTEMPLETEXTTHEOLOGYTIARATIDETIPPETTITHETITHEDTITHINGTITULARTONGUETOPETORAHTORIITOTEMTOUCHTOUCHEDTRACTTRUTHTUNICTURBANTURNTYPETYPEDTYPINGTYPOLOGYUNBELIEFUNCTIONUNGODLYUNITVEILVICARVICTIMVICTIMIZEVIGILVIRGINVOODOOVOTARYVOTIVEWAKEWARDWATCHWATCHEDWEDDINGWELKINWINEWITCHWORDWORKWRATHYANGYOGAYOGIYOGINIYULEZOMBIE