Last updated: 27March2007
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being revised.
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A quick link to other online
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N
Nation of Islam: Also known as the Lost-Found Nation of Islam, begun in Detroit in 1930 by Wallace Fard, it claimed direction from Allah to minister to blacks in America. Fard, believed by some to have been a Muslim born in Mecca around 1877, claimed the black race was a lost race of ancient history that had made civilization possible and that the descendants of that race were modern blacks. Fard disappeared in 1934, and the Nation of Islam was taken over by his associate, Elijah Muhammad, who preached rigorous separation of the black race at one point calling for a separate black state -- and a strong morality. A convert to the Nation of Islam, Malcolm Little, became an outspoken activist for the church, changed his name to Malcolm X, and later started a separate organization, the Muslim Mosque Inc. It was during these years that the movement was lumped under the umbrella label of Black Muslims. Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, some believe over clashes between his new organization and the older one. The Nation of Islam later split. One branch eventually retained the name and came under the leadership of Minister Louis Farrakahn, after the other, by then renamed the American Muslim Mission and led by Wallace D. Muhammad, son of Elijah Muhammad, disbanded to allow members to join groups closer to traditional Islam.
National Baptist Convention of America: An organization of about 5,000 African-American churches with approximately 2.5 million members, this is the second largest organization of predominantly black Baptist churches in the United States. Often abbreviated NBCA, the organization has its headquarters in Shreveport, La.
National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.: An association of four Southern American Baptist organizations, mostly black, with its current presidential office in Philadelphia, Pa. The organization operates the American Baptist College in Nashville, the only African-American four-year college accredited by the American Association of Bible Colleges. It publishes the National Baptist Voice four times each year.
National Conference of Catholic Bishops: An organization of Roman Catholic clerical hierarchy that seeks to promote Christian faith and Roman Catholica activities. Its offices are located in Washington, D.C.
National
Council of the Churches
of Christ in the U.S.A.: Often shortened to National
Council
of Churches (NCC).
Nativity: Having to do with birth; more specifically, the birth of Jesus, the one annointed as God's son in Christianity. The Nativity of Jesus is celebrated in Christian communities as Christmas.
NCC
(National Council of Churches): A
Christian ecumenical organization comprised of 36 different
denominational groups of Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox
communities. Operating out of headquarters in New York City, the
organization promotes social causes and charitable efforts and financed
the translation of the Bible that resulted in the New Revised Standard
Version.
neo-evangelical, New Evangelicalism: A 20th-century movement within conservative Christianity to regain intellectual and scholarly credibility that was thought to have been surrendered through the excesses of Fundamentalism on the one hand and Modernism or Liberal theology on the other. Much of the contemporary Evangelical Christian movement is an outgrowth of neo-evangelical emphases on credible scholarship within the framework of traditional Christian values. The origins of New Evangelicalism lie in California's Fuller Theological Seminary and its attitudes were championed by the evangelical journal Christianity Today.
neo-orthodox, Neo-orthodoxy: A Protestant Christian theological movement of the 20th Century, specifically that associated with the systemaric writings of Swiss theologian Karl Barth and several of his contemporaries. Barth's work is most fully presented in his multi-volumed Church Dogmatics. Moreso than Barth, many of his followers and contemporaries have been influenced, as was Barth, by the philosophy of existentialism and its theological implications. Thus, theologians such as Emil Brunner, Rudolf Bultmann, and others, while not Barthians, are often, and perhaps technically in error, lumped together as neo-orthodox theologians.
Neo-Paganism: A modern movement that seeks to recover ancient traditions involving the natural world, especially those ancient tribal practices that honor and revere Mother Earth from whom all life is believed to emerge. Many Neo-Pagan revived religions elevate goddess worship to a place of prominence. The natural cycles of the Sun and the Moon become particularly important in Neo-Paganism.
Nevi'im: (sometimes, N'vi-im) The Hebrew word for prophets. The N'vi'im make up the 21 books of prophets in the Hebrew Bible. See Tanakh, Torah and Ketuvim.
New Age Movement: A modern spirituality awareness that links elements of religion with psychology and parapsychology. Generally an eclectic and syncretistic movement that takes more of its impetus from human potential philosophies than from the world's religions. Often, but not exclusively, associated with young, spiritually rebellious, "Aquarian flower children."
Nicene Creed: An ancient Christian statement of beliefs framed during the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. and used in Christian churches to this day as a summary of Trinitarian Christian faith. The Nicene Creed has clarified several doctrines, most notable the nature of Christ as being "one substance" with God the Father -- as a defense against the Arian heresy -- and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit "who procedes from the Father and the Son", which led to a cleavage between the Western (Roman) Church and the Eastern (Orthodox) Church.
Nichiren Buddhism: Closely related to Soka Gakkai International, this is a form of Buddhism derived from the teaching of a 13th Century Japanese priest, Nichiren Daishonin, whose philosophy elaborates the teachings of the Buddha known as Siddhartha Gautama. Nichiren's teaching is called Lotus Sutra, which sees in all living beings the potential to attain enlightenment. Through Soka Gakkai, this form of Buddhism has become popular in the Western world.
nirvana: The Buddhist notion of the highest state of happiness and satisfaction that results when all desire is transcended and the self is obliterated.
Nirvana Day: February 13 celebration of Buddha's death by Mahayanan Buddhists. Not considered a sad day but a commemoration of Buddha's attainment of a higher state.
Novena: Rooted in the Latin word for the number nine, a novena is a devotional exercise that lasts for nine days, often practiced by devout Roman Catholics and focused around various devotion to saints. A handy reference to several of these practices is found at http://www.nd.edu/~mary/Novena.html
Nukhagni: Hindu term for the cremation of the body after a funeral.
Numbers: The fourth book of the Law, or Torah, in the Hebrew scriptures .
nun: A woman belonging to a Christian religious order -- typically Roman Catholic or Anglican/Episcopal -- and subject to vows of poverty, service, chastity and obedience to superiors. Most nuns are celibate but wear wedding bands to signify their "marriage to Christ." Orders of nuns generally retain medieval garb, although modern orders permit nuns to wear discreet modern clothing in public places. In the Roman Catholic Church, nuns and males of similar orders are often subsumed under the rubric "religious," as in the sentence, "This course is open only to religious."
nuncio, papal: A diplomatic envoy of the Roman Catholic Church sent by the Pope to nations with which The Vatican has diplomatic relations.
n'vi-im See Nevi-im.
Open
Theism: A controversial
theological interpretive position among conservative evangelical
Christians concerning whether or not God changes his mind after making
prophetic utterances about the future. Did God, for example,
change his mind after telling the prophet Jonah that Nineveh would be
destroyed? Open Theists believe God can "change his mind" and
still be considered all-knowing. Evangelical critics argue that
such a position compromises God's inerrancy and thus the inerrancy of
the Scriptures.
ordained, ordination A formal process of designating and consecrating individuals to the ministry or priesthood, especially that of Christianity. Ordination generally comes from a church body and is given to church members who have been confirmed as having received God's call from both within and without the church community. More formal ecclesiastical organizations also require extensive theological and pastoral education prior to ordination. Many Christian churches ordain deacons as well as priests or ministers. In most Christian churches, a service of ordination is a formal part of the liturgy when the ordination of an individual is publicly affirmed and proclaimed.
Oriental Orthodox Church: A group of churches including the Armenian, Indian, Ethiopian, Coptic (Egyptian), Syrian and Eritrean Orthodox Church.
Orisha: An emissary of God who rules over every aspect of human life, according to the Santeria religion of West Africa.
orthodox, Orthodoxy: A broadly used term that denotes clear doctrine or belief according to a particular religion or philosophy and implies conformity or correctness in regard to doctrinal or dogmatic statements as opposed to heresy or heterodox beliefs. The term is rooted in the Greek words for straight (ortho-) opinion (doxein). When capitalized, the term refers to any of several branches of the Eastern churches of Christianity, e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc.
Orthodox Church in America: An organization of more than 15 various forms of Eastern Orthodox Christianity with its informational headquarters in Syoset, N.Y. The official Web site of the organization is at <http://www.oca.org>
Orthodox Eastern Church: Any of several Eastern Christian churches tracing roots to the Middle East or Eastern Europe. The Eastern branch of Christianity became known as Orthodox in the 8th Century during persecution for its iconography. Eastern churches follow the Byzantine or Greek rite in their liturgy, which is sung, as opposed to the Roman or Latin rite.
Orthodox
Judaism: The
strain of Judaism that advocates tradition and Torah-bound
proscriptions
of worship and religious habits and behavior. Though the term is never
used within the Jewish tradition, some would consider Orthodox Jews to
be the Fundamentalists of Judaism. See Judaism.
Padmasambhava: An Indian sage who brought Buddhism from India to Tibet in the 8th Century AD. Invited from India by Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen, Padmasambhava (sometimes spelled Padma Sambhava and known as The Lotus Born Guru) converted the entire country and is known as the father of Tibetan Buddhism.
pagan: Derived from the Latin term for an outside person, literally, a country or rural person rather than a person of the city. In Christian Rome, pagans were often thought of as irreligious followers of many gods or as given over to sensual pleasures. Used in a religious context to apply to persons outside a particular faith, especially Christianity, much as a synonym for heathen. The modern religion known as Neo-Paganism has adopted the label as a badge of faith in a varied form of god and worship.
Palestine: A geographic region at the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea whose boundaries have historically shifted often but are generally demarked by the Sea and the Jordan River. In Biblical times this was the land of the Philistines. Often also known as the Holy Land because of its importance to Judaism and Christianity.
Pali: Ancient and sacred language of Theravada Buddhism, in which sayings of the Buddha are written.
Palm Sunday: A Christian celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of an ass that marks the beginning of the Christian Holy Week just before Easter (and is the sixth Sunday in Lent). The day draws its name from the Biblical reference to crowds strewing the path of Jesus' entry with the branches of palm trees.
pantheist: Literally, a worshiper of all gods or of the god in all things. Pantheism refers to the believe that all is God and God is in all, making God and the universe co-existent. By extention, one who believes this is a pantheist.
Pantocrator: The artistic depiction or rendition of Jesus Christ as the ruler of the world, particularly as the one who will come to judge the world at the end of time. Artistic renderings of Christ as ruler are often paired with the Greek letters alpha and omega, symbols of Christianity's conviction that God is the beginning and the end of all things.
parish,
parishioner:
Paschal or Paschal Lamb: A label derived from the medieval term for passover and linked with the Christian celebration of Easter. The lamb is prepared as a passover meal. Symbolically, the Paschal Lamb refers to Christ and his being sacrificed for the sins of the world, according to Christian doctrine.
Passover (Pesach): A major Jewish holiday marking the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt under the leadership of Moses, an account found in the book of Exodus, the second of the five books of the Law. The name is derived from God's instruction to the Hebrews to mark the door lintel of their houses so the angel of Death would "pass over" their dwellings as he destroyed the first-born male of each family in Egypt. This holiday is celebrated on the 15th day of Nisan, according to the Hebrew calendar (usually in late March or early April) and lasts for seven days. Some branches of Judaism celebrate Passover for eight days.
Patriarch: An elder statesman or leading father (patri-) of a culture or family. One of the ancient fathers of Judaism and Christianity, e.g., Abraham, Isaac, etc. More formally, a leader in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Pauline epistles: Those portions, in the form of letters, of the Bible's New Testament that Christians have traditionally held to be written (or dictated) by the Apostle Paul. Generally accepted as Pauline writings are the New Testament books of Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Some would add the book of Hebrews, but that is more often contested.
Pelagianism:
Associated with the teachings
of a 5th-century thinker, Pelagius, which were condemned as
heresy
by Augustine of Hippo. Pelagius taught that humans are endowed
with freedom to choose not to sin; his work is thus seen as a denial of
the basic Christian doctrine of original sin and a person's absolute
need for God's grace or unmerited favor in the process of
salvation. [Editors please
note: Because
of its close association with the man Pelagius, the doctrine of
Pelagianism is standardly capitalized; also take note that the name of
the person is spelled with an -ius ending.]
Pentateuch: The first five books of the Bible; the five scrolls of Hebrew Law.
Pentecost: A Christian and Jewish
festival, more familiarly known to Jews as Shavuot
or the Feast of Weeks. For Christians, Pentecost marks the
descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ.
The feast (or Sunday) comes 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus and
is also known as Whitsunday, a name derived from the practice of having
those intiates about to be baptized into the Christian faith, wear
white garments.
Journalists should note the spelling,
as this represents a word somehow thought to be
rooted
in the word for five and frequently
misspelled, i.e., Pentacost.
Pentecostalism: A form of Christianity often associated with enthusiastic and highly emotional religious practices said to represent the movement of the Holy Spirit upon a person, especially those practices marked by speaking in tongues. Christian denominations marked by these practices are sometimes organized or labelled as Pentecostal denominations, taking their name from the Biblical day of Pentecost when the Spirit descended upon the followers of Christ.
Pesach, or Pesah (see Passover): Hebrew term for Passover.
Pharoah: An ancient Egyptian ruler. Made notable in the Jewish accounts of Moses and the Hebrew exodus from Egyptian domination that marks the history and heritage of Israel.
presbyterian, Presbyterian Church: A term referring to the elderly or to wise leadership. The church with this title is led by a group of elders who provide wise and informed leadership to the congregation. The Presbyterian Church has come to be associated with this form of church governance and with the promulgation of Calvinist doctrine.
prophet, Prophets: One who speaks for God. Popularly, the word has come to mean one able to foretell future events, but this traditionally has not been the role of the prophet; rather, the prophet has been one who speaks the divine words calling the faithful to repentance and righteousness. More specifically (and when capitalized), the term refers to those who speak for the God of Jews and Christians in the Scriptures, especially of the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament.
proselytize: A term to describe the process of trying to convince and initiate another into one's faith; to seek converts to one's religious beliefs. This is a back formation from the Latin and Greek term used to describe an alien resident of a country or culture and by extension one who is taught or influenced into adopting the practices and beliefs of the surrounding culture or nation.
Protestant Reformation See Reformation. See also Counter-Reformation: A period of the 16th century during which great changes were demanded in the Christian Church that was overseen from Rome. Led by church thinkers and leaders such as Martin Luther in Germany, John Calvin in Switzerland, and others in Europe and later in England, a movement that demanded changes in doctrine and practice that led to new churches made up of the protesters or "protestants." The changes resulted in Christian churches that became known as Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Anglican, Anabaptist and others who challenged the hierarchy, doctrine and sacramental leadership of the church at Rome.
Protestant, Protestantism: A movement of church leaders who resisted or protested the leadership and doctrine of the church in Rome and developed denominations independent of the papal authority located in Italy.
Protestant Episcopal Church See Episcopal Church: A title given to the American form of the Church of England that emphasizes an episcopal governance structure (i.e., subject to a bishop). The title resulted largely from America's political break with England and the need to develop a church that did not give fealty and obedience to the state (i.e. the crown). In the mid-20th century, the lable Protestant was officially dropped from the denominational title of the church. Episcopal churches generally give voluntary but unofficial recognition to the archbishop of Canterbury, the titular head of the Anglican Church in England.
protocanonical: A term used by Roman Catholic scholars to distinguish those books of the Bible that were accepted as authoritive "from the beginning." Distinguished from those accepted into the canon by later church councils, known as deuterocanonical writing.
Proverbs: One of the books of Wisdom literature of the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament of Christians. A collection of individual, pithy sayings aimed at the moral instruction of the young or of neophytes in the faith.
Psalms: The worship song book of the Hebrew scriptures. One of the longest books in the Old Testament of the Bible. A compilation of poetry and prayer, many of which are believed to have been set to music by the ancients.
puja: A Sanskrit word meaning to anoint or smear; a ritual of the Hindu religion used when making a prayer or act of contrition or supplication.
Pure Land School: A form of Buddhism emphasizing serene Enlightenment being either available or potentially available to all; a kind of "faith" in the Buddhas of the past.
Purim:
A Jewish
festival celebrating the deliverance of Jews in Persia as recorded in
the
book of Esther in the Hebrew scriptures. Purim is celebrated usually in
late February or early March (the 14th day of Adar,
according
to
the Hebrew calendar). It is a traditional practice to have the
eldest(?)
son in the family read the story of Esther when the family gathers at
the
dinner table during Purim.
Q or Q-source; See Quelle: A German word used to describe the imagined collection of material about Jesus and the first Christians that is posited to have been a source document for the writers of Mark's and Matthew's gospels in the New Testament. The word means source and is frequently abbreviated by the first letter of the German word, Q.
Qibla wall: (also Qiblah) The wall in a Muslim mosque that is built facing Mecca, the holy city of Islam located in western Saudi Arabia.
Quaker, Quakers: The informal but acceptable name applied to the Religious Society of Friends. An Englishman, George Fox, claimed a religious experience in th 1640s that led him to the "Inner Light" and began a movement that objected to the accepted Anglican emphasis on ritual liturgy. In an English court, Fox was dubbed a "quaker" because of his agitation. Quakers meet weekly but recognize no rank of clergy.
Quelle German word for "source." The term, often abbreviated just as Q or Q-source, is a hypothetical collection of sayings and other material that many scholars believe provided a source for the synoptic gospel writers of Mark's and of Matthew's gospels of the New Testament. The source is identified by analyzing the commonalities and differences of the gospels.
Qur'an: The holy writings of Islam
said to have been dictated to Mohammed. Also spelled Koran.
rabbi: Hebrew word for teacher and a title for the leader of a Jewish congregation. The title often given to Jesus in the gospels.
Rabbinical Assembly: An organization of Conservative Jewish rabbis that has its headquarters in New York City and publishes Conservative Judaism magazine.
Rabbinical Council of America: An organization of rabbis representing Orthodox Judaism in the United States, Canada and Israel. Has its headquarters in New York City and publishes an academic journal of Orthodox Jewish thought called Tradition.
Rama: An object of worship by Hindus, Rama or Ram allies himself with the monkey king to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king and regain the throne from which he is exiled. The legend is narrated in the Ramayana, a Sanskrit Hindu scripture probably composed in India in the 3rd century B.C.E.
Rama Navami: A Hindu holiday that focusses on the god Rama and is usually celebrated in the spring.
Ramadan ( sometimes Ramadhan): Muslim holy month during which all believers fast between dawn and darkness. Ramadan signifies the time during which it is believed Allah sent the angel Gabriel to Muhammad in Mecca and gave him the teachings of the Koran (Quran). Because Islam follows a lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan shifts each year when reckoned by Western calendars.
Ramayana: A Sanskrit manuscript that relates the legend of Rama, who is revered as a god in Hinduism.
Reconstruction School of Judaism: A 20th-century movement that views Judaism as a social movement rather than a God-centered religious phenomenon. Reconstructionists generally do not hold the Hebrew scriptures to be divinely inspired, and boldly reject other traditions and activities historically associated with Jewish religion. Regarding the Holocaust, Reconstructionists would join hands with all Jews in remembering it and educating followers regarding its significance.
Reformation: A 16th-century revolution in the Christian church sparked by Martin Luther's posting of his 95 Theses on the cathedral door at Wittenburg, Germany, issuing a challenge to debate issues such as the selling of indulgences by the church in Rome. Luther's action sparked a movement that came to be Protestantism in Europe and led to the establishment of several denominational churches subscribing to doctrines at odds with the Roman church. Sometimes refered to as the Protestant Reformation.
Reform Judaism: A more liberal form of Judaism that advocates accommodation to modern lifestyles and ideas than is advocated by the more conservative Orthodox Judaism and the moderate Conservative Judaism. See Judaism. Editors please note the term is Reform Judaism not "Reformed" Judaism.
Religious Society of Friends See Quakers.
religious movements: A sociological phrase used to refer to any shift in the thinking, doctrine or practice of people within a specific religion. Most frequently associated with new developments in religion, such phenomenon have been tracked between 1996 and 2003 and recorded by a late University of Virginia professor whose pioneering work is responsible for The Religious Movements Homepage Project,
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Not classified as a Mormon Church. Note the lack of a hyphen and the capitalization of Day in Latter Day, which is a distinguishing feature of this splinter group that broke from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (i.e., Mormons), following the death of Joseph Smith, the 17th century inspirer of the Mormon Church. This group has its headquarters in Independence, Mo.
revelation: A theological term describing the action of God's unveiling in word and deed; a communication of God's nature and character. Christians consider the Bible to embody the revelation of God, and more technically consider Jesus of Nazareth to be the revelation of God in human form.
Revelation, Book of (Revelations, Book of): Also called the Apocalypse. The final book of the Christian New Testament, often attributed to the Apostle John. This book represents an apocalyptic look into the future that includes a return of Jesus Christ to earth as Redeemer, Ruler and Judge. The writing is noted for its dramatic imagery, including such famous depictions as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Roman Catholic versions of the Scriptures tend to use the plural title, Revelations. Recent popular interpretations of the final judgment, such as the Left Behind series that includes a so-called Rapture, are derived largely from more literal interpretations of the book of Revelation.
Reverend, The (The Rev.): An attributive form of address given to ordained clergy. The Associated Press stylebook urges that the article "the" should always precede the abbreviation Rev. because the abbreviation is an adjectival form of honor and not a titular noun. Thus, one should write, "The Rev. John Smith." For similar reasons, addressing a clergyperson as reverend or Rev. is inappropriate. An appropriate address might be pastor or father.
Rig Veda: The Hindu book of mantras, the first and oldest of all the Vedas (Sanskrit writings of wisdom) upon which all that follow are based. Fundamentally a book of hymns, the Rig Veda is dated by scholars to about 1500 B.C. and by Hindu holy men to about 4000 B.C. Considered the oldest writing of Indo-European language and of Sanskrit.
Roman Catholic Church: The Christian Church organized around the Holy See at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. The largest branch of Christianity, it is overseen by a hierarchy of bishops whose leader is known as the Pope. Roman Catholics traditionally trace the origin of their church to the apostle Peter, to whom Jesus said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." The Greek name of Peter (Petras) can be interpreted to mean "rock." Many Catholic Christians consider the appelation of "Roman Catholic" as an unnecessary error fostered by those who do not recognize the bishop of Rome as the head of the "one true church."
Romanian Orthodox Church: Technically known as the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, this branch of the Orthodox Church has its headquarters in Jackson, Michigan. The church traces its Christian heritage to the apostle Andrew, who is believed to have founded the Christian community in Romania and is considered the patron saint of Romania.
rosary: A form of prayer and meditation used by Roman Catholics that involves repetitions of two traditional and well-known prayers, the Hail Mary and the Our Father. The form involves saying 10 Hail Mary prayers 15 times, separating each set of 10 with an Our Father (The Lord's Prayer). During these prayers, meditation is made on the mysteries of the faith. Rosary beads are frequently used to count and keep track of the cycles of the rosary.
Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, celebrated according to the Hebrew calendar on the first and second days of Tishrei, which corresponds to days between the middle of September to the middle of October in the Gregorian calendar.
Russelites: See Jehovah's Witnesses.
Russian
Orthodox Church: This branch
of the Eastern Church of Christianity has its offices in Moscow,
Russia, and is the largest of the several national and ethnic divisions
of Eastern Orthodoxy.
sacrament: A Christian belief in an outward sign of an inner sacredness, often seen as a grace from God. Christians generally believe the sacraments were instituted by Jesus and stand as visible signs of God's grace to humankind. More liturgical churches such as the Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and certain Anglican or Episcopal churches hold there are seven sacraments -- Eucharist or communion, baptism, confirmation, penance, anointing those who are ill, marriage and ordination or Holy Orders. These bestow grace from God. Most Protestant denominations recognize only two as sacraments, baptism and marriage. Such denominations generally believe that God's grace comes through faith and is not communicated through outward sacraments or signs. Martin Luther spearheaded the Protestant view that faith only and not "works" leads to salvation in Jesus Christ.
Salah: The second of the so-called "five pillars" of Islam it refers to ritual worship. Muslims are required to pray facing Mecca five times each day no matter where they are or what they are doing. Muslims are summoned to prayer by someone calling from the tower or minaret of the mosque. In modern society, many Muslims call themselves to prayer by way of a timepiece. The five periods of Muslim required prayer are dawn, midday, afternoon, evening and night.
Samadhi: A Buddhist term associated with Yoga that refers to a conscious state of pure bliss without effort. Often described as pure awareness. The term implies union or oneness with the spirit, a pure consciousness of being.
Samhain: A Celtic term (Irish Gaelic) for "summer's end" that has come to be associated with All Hallows Eve (Halloween).
Samsara: An ancient Buddhist concept depicting the endless cycle of striving for satisfaction during one's life on earth. It is conceived by many to be the opposite of Nirvana. The term has been used more popularly by reincarnationists and channeling personnel who seek to uncover one's past lives.
Sangha: A Buddhist term most frequently translated as "assembly" or "group" and referring to the assembled monks or to the assembled congregation of noble ones, those who have reached some degree of enlightenment.
Santeria: A so-called New World religion associated with Africa and the Caribbean that envelops many tribal beliefs and customs from West Africa. The religion was brought to places such as Cuba by slaves transported from Africa. The religion focuses on trance-states for communication with ancestors and often involves animal sacrifice. Many have linked it with voodoo practices; although, many Caribbean Santerians have been nominally converted to Catholic Christianity. As a result, Santeria--the Way of the Saints--is a vague and evolving syncretistic religion.
Saul, King: The first annointed king of the ancient tribal nation of Israel, whose story is told in the narratives of the Hebrew Scriptures, especially in the books of the Kings. Saul called by God through the prophet Samuel and chosen in part because of his great height and stature. He was succeeded as king by Judaism's most famous king, David.
Saul See Paul.
sawm The third of the so-called five pillars of Islam. It refers to the Muslim practice of fasting during the month of Ramadan, the month during which Muslims believe Allah revealed the initial verses of the Koran to Muhammad. Muslims fast during this period from dawn to darkness.
Scientology See Church of Scientology.
scripture, Scripture(s) Any of several revered and holy writings of a religious group. The Associated Press Stylebook insists that the word be capitalized when it refers to writings from The Holy Bible.
Second Vatican Council: A reforming 20th-century ecumenical gathering of the bishops, clergy and lay representatives of the Roman Catholic Church with many non-Catholic guests, participants and observers, often referred to as "Vatican II." Convened in 1962 and closed in 1965, the council instituted extensive changes in the liturgy and practice of the Roman church. Notably, it permitted the Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular language of each country and gave scholars much more freedom in their interpretive study of the Scriptures and of theology. Many have characterized Vatican II as bringing the Catholic church into the modern world, and most agree it was the most significant church council since the 16th-century Reformation.
Sephardic Jews A centuries-old branch of Judaism emerging out of Spain and Portugal. During the Middle Ages, many of the so-called Sephardim migrated to North Africa. Sephardic Jews follow the rituals and traditions associated with Jews living in ancient Babylonia. See Babylonian Captivity.
Septuagint: An ancient translation of the Hebrew scriptures into Greek. This was the Bible of the characters who people the New Testament. Translated by Jewish scholars of the 2nd and 3rd centuries to meet the needs of Greek-speaking Jews in Egypt and other parts of the Meditteranean world, tradition says that 70 scholars (some say 72) took part in the translation process in Alexandria; thus, the name of the translation is derived from the word for "seventy" and is consistently abbreviated with the Roman numeral LXX.
Seventh
Day Adventist Church:
Historically,
this group was once known as Millerites.
Orthodox Christian in almost every area of doctrine, Seventh Day
Adventists insist that Saturday is the sabbath and therefore worship on
that day rather than on Sunday. Headquarters for the General
Conference of Seventh Day Adventists is in Silver Spring,
Maryland. Among the denomination's outstanding institutions are
the Loma Linda University and Medical Center in California and Andrews
University in Michigan. The group also operates a seminary at
Takoma Park in Washington, DC. Traditionally premillenialist in
eschatology, Seventh-Day Adventists hold to some doctrines considered
heterodox; for example, the notion that all who die fall into a "soul
sleep" where they remain until the second coming of Jesus Christ.
According to the group's Web site (http://www.adventist.org), there are
approximately nine million members of this church worldwide.
Sewanee: A town in south central Tennessee, but more familiarly the nickname of The University of the South, an institution of higher learning that includes one of the official seminaries of The Episcopal Church. To grasp some of the jargon of Sewanee and its Episcopal life-style, one might take a look at "Episcopal Things," a dictionary of Episcopal terms used in and around the campus: http://smith2.sewanee.edu/gsmith/Texts/Sewanee/DictEpiscopalThings.html
Shabbat: Hebrew word for Sabbath, meaning rest or repose. For Jews, Shabbat begins on Friday at Sunset and lasts until nightfall on Saturday, during which time most work is prohibited, and prayer services are conducted in the synagogue. Do not use this term casually as a substitute for sabbath.
Shahada: The credo or major statement of Islam: "There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger." Anyone can join a Muslim community by submitting to Allah and reciting these words.
Shaka: Clan name of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
shaman: A celebrant in a particular religion who is believed to exert more-than-human powers, especially as related to healing, usually attributed to their special relationship with the world of the spirit. In some cultures and religions, the shaman is known as the witch doctor or medicine man. Usually, these individuals are feared and respected as special leaders. It is a mistake to associate the shaman exclusively with uncivilized or pre-scientific societies.
Shariah: The legal code of Islam. Compare Talmud.
Shavuot:
A Jewish
feast commemorating the receiving of the Ten Commandments. Also known
as
the Feast of Weeks. Usually occurs in May or June of the Western
calendar. Sometimes associated with the Christian celebration of Pentecost.
Shema: See Sh'ma Yisra'el
Shiite orShi'ah: The smaller of the two major branches of Islam that developed when followers of Muhammad disagreed over who should lead the faith when their leader died. About 16 percent of all Muslims are Shiite. The larger branch is known as Sunni.
Shinto: An ancient, indigenous religion of Japan that emphasizes nature, harmony and personal cleanliness and lacks any formal doctrine or theology. Often Shinto absorbs parts of Buddhism, Hinduism, or even Christianity. Most Japanese consider themselves both Buddhist and Shinto (and many mix in Confucianism). In Japan, Shinto is known as kami-no-michi, translated as "the road of the divine" or "the way of the gods." In 1868, Japan underwent the Meiji Restoration and the emperor regained power from the shoguns, or regional warlords. At that time, Shinto was declared the official religion of Japan, and the emperor was regarded as a divine descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. In 1945, following the defeat of Japan in WWII, the emperor renounced his divine status, but Shinto has continued to exert a strong influence on everyday life in Japan. Shinto's basic beliefs are summarized in its affirmations.
Shiva or Siva: One of the three major deities of Hinduism, Shiva represents the energy of the ultimate and is usually depicted surrounded by fire and exposing many arms. Shiva is associated with both the forces of creation (often symbolized by the human phallus) and the forces of destruction. See Brahma and Vishnu.
Shiva Ratri: The night of the god Shiva in Hindu celebrations, commemorating the creation of the Shiva.
Sh'ma Yisra'el: Hebrew for "Hear, O Israel." Also transliterated as Shema. Probably the closest thing that Jews have to a creed. The text is from Deuteronomy 6:4, in English translated as "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." Devout Jews are supposed to recite the Sh'ma four times each day. It is considered an affirmation of Judaism's monotheism.
sh'mot: The Hebrew term for Exodus, the second book of the Torah or Old Testament. See Exodus.
Shrove
Tuesday:
Siddhartha Gautama: The given and family names of the Nepalese founder of Buddhism in the 5th or 6th century. The original Buddha, or enlightened one, according to Buddhists. A popular and famous fictionalized biography of the Buddha was written by the German novelist Hermann Hesse and given the title Siddhartha.
Sinai: Geographically, Sinai is a mountain or a desert or a peninsula that comprises Saudi Arabia and several smaller Mideast nations. For religious Jews, Sinai refers to the mountain upon which Moses met with God and received the law, especially the tablets of the Decalogue or Ten Commandments.
Sirach
Society of Friends, Religious See Quakers.
Sojourners
Solomon
Star of David See Magen David.
Sufism
Sukkot : Jewish celebration of the harvest. Also known as the Feast of Booths. Takes place late in October (according to the Gregorian calendar) and lasts for eight days.
Sunnah
The body
of Islamic custom and practice based on Muhammad's words and deeds.
Sunni The largest branch of Islam that comprises about 85 percent of all Muslims. Sunni Islam began shortly after the death of Muhammad, when followers fought over who should lead the faith. Islam divided into two major branches at that point, the larger Sunni and the smaller Shi'ah, or Shiite branch.
Sunyata
Sutta Pitaka Part of Theravada Buddhism's scriptures. See Tipitaka.
Synagogue Council of America
Synoptic
gospels, Synoptic
problem
tabernacle
Taize; Taize chant
Talmud For Jews, these constitute an exposition and interpretation by scholarly ancient rabbis of the oral law given by God, as distinct from the written law of the Torah. The Talmud is comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemara. The word is derived from the Hebrew term for learning.
Tanakh (sometimes, Tanak) An acronym for the scriptures of Judaism in Hebrew. It includes Torah (Law), the first five books; Nevi'im (the prophets) 21 books of former and latter prophets, and Ketuvim (the writings and scrolls) which includes Psalms, Proverbs, the book of Job, and the five Megillot (scrolls). A commercial introduction to the Tanakh can be found online at http://www.amerisoftinc.com/tanak1.htm
Tao, Taoism
taqwa: Arabic word signifying "the fear of God."
Te
Ten Commandments
Tetragrammaton The untranslatable four-letters of Hebrew that form the name of God in the Jewish scriptures. Usually transliterated as YHWH or JHWH, English Bibles have inserted vowels (ancient Hebrew contains no vowels) and translated the name as Yahweh or Jehovah.
Theravada: A branch of Buddhism emphasizing the solitary journey of the individual soul. Theravada is the older of the two major branches of Buddhism, the other being Mahayana. See arhat.
Tibetan Book of the Dead See Bardo Thodol.
Tipitaka The scriptures of Theravada Buddhism, translated as "The Three Baskets." They are divided into Vinaya Pitaka, the monastic regulations; the Sutta Pitaka, discourses and sayings attributed to the Buddha; and the Abhidamma Pitaka, discussions and commentaries related to doctrine, philosophy and psychology.
Tishrei: Period in Jewish calendar.
T.M.: Popular abbreviation and shorthand for Transcendental Meditation.
Torah The Law in Judaism, specifically, the written law comprised of the five books of Moses, which are also the first five books of the Holy Bible revered by Christians. See also Talmud, Mishnah and Gemara.
tori: Japanese word for gate, especially one at the entrance to a Shinto shrine. Once inside the tori, a person is believed to be in the location of the spirit or god (kami) associated with that shrine. Some shrines in Japan have huge tori, often in isolated or obscure places. The tori has become an unofficial symbol of Japanese Shintoism.
totem: A person or likeness (often an animal, a plant, or an artistic rendering of an animal or plant) revered by a tribe or group and often regarded as a member of the group or an emblem of that member and having spiritual power and manifestation as a protector or healer. Making a totem of an inanimate object is often distinguished as fetishism. The word derives apparently from the Pacific Northwest of the United States (Ojibwa, according to the dictionary) and is an integral part of many Native American and African religious practices.
Transcendental Meditation
Transsubstantiation
Trinity (three-in-one) A central doctrine of Christianity, derived from the New Testament but not explicitly taught there. The formulation of God as three persons -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- united in one godhead. The exact formulation of this doctrine has been the focus of key Christian councils, and its precise definition was instrumental in the splitting of Eastern Christianity from Western Christianity.
T-U-L-I-P: A pneumonic device for remembering the five doctrinal points of Calvinism. See Calvinism.
Twelve Apostles: A stylistic exception noted by The Associated Press when a numeral above 10 is spelled out rather than written with figures. See apostles. The twelve apostles are those chosen by Jesus Christ to be his messengers in spreading the gospel.
Tyndale,
William: First
to translate New Testament into English from its original Greek.
Tyndale
is known as the "Father of the English Bible." In 1525, when he could
find
no publisher in England he fled to Germany and smuggled English copies
back into his native country. Lured back to England in 1536, he was
arrested,
strangled and burned at the stake. Tyndale's translation provides most
of the language used in the King James Version of the Bible of 1611.
Ukrainian Catholic Church One of the Eastern Rite Churches.
United Church of ChristOne of the latest and largest of the Congregationalist denominations of Protestantism formed in 1957 by a merger of the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. The church claims approximately 1.7 million members. See congregationalism.
United Methodist Church
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
United Synagogue of America Note that Synagogue is singular.
Unity Church
Upanishads
Vajrayana
Vatican The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope and his administrative clergy. Vatican City is an independent state of just 100 acres in the heart of Rome. It is home to about 1,000 people. Most of those living inside the Vatican are clergy. It has its own flag, coins, postage stamps, radio station, library, pharmacy, train station and police the ceremonial guards known as the Swiss Guard. Vatican City, dominated by St. Peter's Square, is one of the greatest repositories of art in the world. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year. In addition to St. Peter's Basilica, it boasts the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and the ornate papal apartments, which are adorned with priceless works by masters such as Raphael. Vatican City also has living quarters and offices for Vatican employees and officials, a private hotel, tapestry workshops, printing presses and is home to several pontifical institutions.
Vatican II Special council called in 1963 that resulted in major reforms of the Roman Catholic Church. Many view this council as a watershed gathering that brought Roman Catholicism into the modern world of Biblical studies and more democratic church governance. Popularly recalled as the council that authorized the saying of the Mass in the vernacular rather than exclusively in Latin.
vayikra Hebrew term meaning "He called." The Hebrew name for the third book of the Bible, called in English, Leviticus.
Veda
Vedanta
ve'elleh shemot Translated as "names," these are the Hebrew words for the second book of the Torah, known in Greek as Exodus. See also sh'mot.
Versions of the Bible:
The first great translation of the whole Bible was the Latin Vulgate of St. JEROME. The Greek text generally accepted in the East is, for the Old Testament, the Septuagint. Great names in the history of the English Bible are John WYCLIF(d. 1384), whose name appears on two translations; William TYNDALE, whose New Testament (1525-26) was the first English translation to be printed; and Miles COVERDALE, who published (1535) a translation of the entire Bible. The greatest English translation (and one of the most influential English prose works) is the Authorized Version (AV), or King James Version (KJV), of 1611, made by a group of churchmen and scholars led by Lancelot Andrewes. The Rheims-Douay Version was produced by Roman Catholic scholars at Rheims (New Testament, 1582) and Douai (Old Testament, 1610), France. In the 19th cent., the Authorized Version was revised as the English Revised Version and the American Revised Version (pub. 1880-90). American scholars published (1952) the influential Revised Standard Version (RSV). New translations are the New English Bible (1970) and such Roman Catholic translations as the Westminster Version and the New American Bible (1970); an English translation of the French Catholic Bible de Jerusalem appeared as the Jerusalem Bible (1966).
vestry The body of laypersons serving with the rector, or clergy leader, as administrators of a parish church the Episcopal Church. It also refers to a room in the church used by the clergy and other participants in the services for their robing in clerical vestments.
Vinaya Pitaka A part of Theravada Buddhism's scriptures. See Tipitaka.
Virgin Birth The Christian belief that Jesus Christ was born to Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit while Mary was a virgin. Do not confuse the Virgin Birth with the Roman Catholic Marian doctrine of immaculate conception. Many Christian interpreters claim the New Testament term virgin simply refers to a young girl and does not necessarily imply a lack of sexual experience. Liberal Christianity tends to discount the tradition of a virgin birth. It remains a matter of debate among Christians whether Mary remained a virgin or gave birth consequently to other children during her marriage to Joseph.
Vishnu orVishni One of the three main deities of Hinduism, seen as the Preserver-god and the force of transcendent love. Vishnu has many incarnations in Hinduism, among them the important Rama and Krishna. See also Brahma and Shiva.
Vision Quest, The A Native American religious pilgrimage. To take a Vision Quest, or "cry for a vision," what the great Native American leader Black Elk calls a "lament," the seeker must go to a holy man a Wicasa Wakan who will advise and interpret the seeker's vision. At one time sought by those going on the warpath, modern Native Americans pursue a vision quest to gain knowledge of the Great Spirit and to understand his or her oneness with all creation.
voodoo
An unofficial
religion derived from the ancestor worship and polytheism of primitive
West Africa that emphasizes sorcery, spells and conjuring spirits of
the
dead. Voodoo also practices a syncretistic version of some Roman
Catholic
Christian rituals. Voodoo is principally practiced in the modern world
on the Caribbean island of Haiti, and flourishes despite formal and
informal
opposition.
wadu: A Muslim cleansing ritual involving cleaning with water of the hands, face, mouth and feet (and perhaps other parts of the body). Muslims believe this a symbol of spiritual cleansing. Usually practiced before a Muslim goes to prayer five times each day. Compare Mecca.
Wakan Tanka: Term used by Lakota Native Americans to describe the totality of spiritual entities. A similar term, used by Ojibwa Native Americans is K'che Manitou. Often popularly referred to as the "Great Spirit."
waleemah: A Muslim post-wedding celebration much like a Western wedding reception with festive music, dancing and eating, but, in following Muslim prohibitions, totally without alcoholic beverages.
wayyiqra: Hebrew word for fourth book of the Torah, known in Greek as Leutikon and in English, derived from the Latin, as Leviticus.
Wesley,
John: English
Anglican clergyman who in the 17th century continued Reformation
changes
in Anglican worship services by urging extensive rule and method in the
living of righteous lives after emotional experiences of repentance and
acceptance of Christ. Wesley and his brother, Charles, who became a
prolific
hymn writer, are credited with beginning the Methodist Church, although
neither of the brothers ever officially left the Anglican Communion.
Methodism
has become one of the largest Protestant denominations, with many
branches
and splits. With an emphasis on personal repentance and reform,
Methodism
is often characterized as Arminian in its theology of
salvation and thus regarded by Reformed Christian theologians as
heterodox.
Wicasa Wakan: Lakota term for a spiritual leader or holy man.
Wisdom literature: A general term referring to a culture's writings that exhort its people to wise thinking and living. More specifically, the term often refers to parts of the Hebrew Bible and the Apocrypha, especially Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, certain Psalms, Sirach, and the Wisdom of Solomon. The Biblical wisdom tradition was continued in later Jewish and Christian writings and is found in the history and religion of many nations of the Ancient Near East.
Wisdom (of Solomon): A book of the Holy Bible included in the Western version and the Greek version but not included in the Hebrew Bible or in Protestant versions influenced by Martin Luther who followed the Hebrew canon. Many versions of the Bible place this book in the Apocrypha and include it between the Old and the New Testaments. See Apocrypha; see also versions of the Bible.
World Council of Churches: Main ecumenical and interdenominational cooperative body comprised of Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and old Catholic churches. Does not officially include the Roman Catholic Church. Claims more than 330 churches in 120 countries. Often and acceptably abbreviated WCC, it has headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Considered by many conservative Protestant churches to be excessively liberal.
Wu-wei: A Taoist concept referring to the notion of nothingness or doing nothing. Its result, Taoism teaches, is to connect the believer with the elemental actions of the universe, and leads to the mystical liberating force known as te.
Wyclif,
John (sometimes, Wycliffe): English
translator of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures into English who is often
credited with being the first to put the Bible into the language of the
people of England. Much of Wycliffe's translation eventually
found its way into the Authorized or King James Version of the
Bible. Because of his views, which anticipated the Protestant
Reformation, Wycliffe and his followers, known as Lollards, were enemies of the church.
X: A symbol of Christianity, usually designated as St. Andrew's cross. Christian legend has it that St. Andrew, one of Jesus' apostles, was hanged on such a cross. In Greek, this is the symbol for chi, the first letter in the title Christ, and thus it became a shorthand for those worshipping Jesus Christ. See Chi Rho.
Xmas:
A modern abbreviation
for Christmas, often piously objected to by Christians but
paradoxically
rooted in an ancient symbol for Jesus Christ. [Editors note: In a nod to pietism,
The Associated
Press
Stylebook advises editors and reporters against using this
abbreviation.]
See X.
Yahweh: An English translation of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton--YHWH--that forms the name of God. Many Bible scholars believe Yahweh is a more accurate translation than the older Jehovah.
Yathrib: See Medina.
Yeshua: Hebrew name for the prophet Joshua. In Greek, this name is translated as Jesus.
YHWH sometimes JHWH: A transliteration of the four Hebrew letters that form the name of God that is never to be uttered by strict Jews. The four-letter combination is known as the Tetragrammaton. It is usually translated in The Holy Bible as Yahweh or as Jehovah by inserting vowels that are missing from the Hebrew language. Many English versions of the Bible replace the Hebrew Tetragrammaton with the fully capitalized title LORD.
yoga: A formal term describing spiritual disciplines followed for centuries by Hindus and Buddhists to attain higher consciousness and liberation from ignorance, suffering, and rebirth with the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will. More broadly, it refers to any system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being and is practiced by many in the West as a form of physical training. The emphasis on physical exercises is derived from a version known as hatha yoga.
Yom Kippur: The Jewish Day of Atonement, which takes place on the 10th of Tishrei, shortly after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Jewish believers mark Yom Kippur by foregoing food, drink and work, and repenting for misdeeds of the year that has passed. Usually occurs in September or October of theWestern calendar.
yorozu-yomi:
Japanese
term for the principle that allows Shinto
to
adapt or absorb easily anything introduced into the life of a typical
person.
This term is usually translated as "flexibility." Typically, Shinto
recognizes
a kami,
or spirit, associated with the person's experience.
zakah: The fourth of the so-called five pillars of Islam. Zakah is almsgiving. A typical Muslim might give 2.5 percent of income to assist the poor or sick. This money is not used to support the mosque. The practice varies among Muslim countries, some deeming it mandatory and enforcing it through government controls, others deeming it voluntary.
Zarathustra: Ancient Iranian name for Zoroaster (see below)..
Zen: A sect of Mahayanan Buddhism that teaches enlightenment through meditation on a non-rational koan that results in direct intuition. Zen greatly influenced social and political life in Japan after the 14th century, especially the work of Matsuo Basho, the 15th century artist considered Japan's foremost practitioner of haiku. It has grown popular in the West largely through the writings of D.T. Suzuki.
Zionism: A modern movement in Judaism rooted in the establishment of a separate Jewish nation, a goal that was realized with the 1947 re-establishment of the nation of Israel at the conclusion of World War II. Contemporary Zionists tend toward a defense of nationalistic purity in Israel. See Judaism.
Zoroaster,
Zoroastrianism:
Zoroaster
is the 6th century B.C.E. founder of Zoroastrianism and traditionally
recognized
author of the Avesta,
the holy scriptures of this ancient religion. Zoroaster taught there is
a war occurring between the spirits of good (ahuras) and the spirits of
evil (daevas or divs) that will result in the ultimate triumph of the
supreme
spirit of good, the Ahura Mazdah. Zoroastrianism almost disappeared
when
7th Century Persia fell to Islam. It is still practiced in some parts
of
Iran and India. The ancient Iranian name for Zoroaster is Zarathustra.
Go to A Journalist's Online Glossary: A-M.
Go to Religion Journalism pages
In many respects, these
Web resources
may prove more valuable
to religion journalism researchers
than the Journalist's
Online Glossary.
For another page of links
to online religious resources,
see my collection of online
religion journalism sites.
Lexicon of Confucianism:
http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/ConfLex/
Its
title says it all.
Mysticism in World
Religions:
http://www.digiserve.com/mystic/index.html
References,
definitions, readings, etc., in the mytical practices of six major
religions.
An excellent reference site.
Nag Hammadi Library:
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html
Translation
of the ancient manuscripts discovered in 1945 that provide much insight
into 1st-century Gnosticism.
Native American History
Archive:
http://www.ilt.columbia.edu/k12/naha/
Searching around at this
site will eventually get one to some information on spirituality and
religious
customs.
- Please help maintain A Journalist's Online Glossary of Religion by reporting any errors, broken links, or misleading entries to allan.andrews@reporters.net
- Also, submission of additional useful links to sites of interest to religion journalists will be welcomed.