Glossary of Common Religious Terms

Each religion has a theological vocabulary which can make explaining it’s core beliefs difficult. When people use religious terms that others don’t understand, or that is used in different ways in different religions, the likelihood of overall misunderstandings is much higher.

To help you become familiar with common religious terms we have put together the following glossary for your reference.

AD

Meaning “anno domini”, the year of the Lord. Used to describe chronology since the birth of Jesus Christ.

Allah

Arabic word meaning “the One True God”. In the West, “Allah” and “God” are often used interchangeably.

Anglican Communion

Includes the Church of England, national churches, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Anti-Semitism

Hatred or persecution of, prejudice or discrimination against Jews or Judaism.

Apocalypse

Destruction of evil and triumph of good.

Armageddon

Prophesised as a final battle between Jesus, Satan and their armies.

Baptism

A rite of Christianity performed by a member of the clergy and used as an initiation into the Church. The age at which a Baptism is performed may differ in different denominations, as may the method of using water (sprinkling on the head or full body immersion).

Bar Mitzvah

A ceremony for Jewish boys who, at the age of 13, are considered religiously responsible.

Bat Mitzvah

A ceremony for Jewish girls who, at the age of 12, are considered religiously responsible.

Bhagavad-Gita

“The Song of the Lord”, a holy text used in Hinduism.

Bible

The holy text used by Christians. Made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Blasphemy

Concept of acting against God, such as by taking his name in vain or denying his existence.

Buddhist

A follower of Buddhism, the teachings and philosophy of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

Catholic

Most commonly refers to members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Chanukkah

Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorating the miracle at a the Temple in Jerusalem when a small quantity of oil burned for eight days and nights. Also spelled Hanukkah.

Christian

A member of a Christian church or, more broadly, a person who accepts Jesus as the Christ and follows his teachings.

Communion

A Christian rite which involves sharing bread and wine as a commemoration of Jesus’ last meal and/or the body and blood of Christ.

Denomination

A recognised religious group.

Diwali

The Hindu, Jain and Sikh Festival of Light commemorating the return of Lord Rama after he had been exiled for 14 years and defeated the demon king Ravana.

Easter

A Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus.

Eucharist

Another term for “Communion”.

Heaven

Christian term for the home of God.

Hijab

The scarf that many Muslim women wear to cover their hair.

Hindu

A follower of Hinduism, including the yogic traditions, the predominant religious system in India.

Iman

A Muslim term for “belief”.

Imam

A Muslim term for the leader of worship in a mosque.

Islam

A religion which considers the Koran the literal word of Allah/God, and Muhammad the last Prophet.

Koran

The holy test of Islam, considered to be the literal word of Allah/God, also spelled Qur’an or Quran. Transmitted to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel.

Mormon

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Mosque

Muslim house of worship, also known as a “Masjid”.

Muslim

A follower of Islam.

Nirvana

Buddhist term for a state of mind in which suffering has ceased and the cycle of birth, death and rebirth has stopped.

Paradise

Muslim term for the home of God, or Heaven.

Priest

Term for a religious leader in Christianity, Hinduism and more. Usually male.

Protestant

A Christian denomination which is not Roman Catholic, Anglican or Eastern Orthodox.

Rabbi

Leader of a Jewish synagogue.

Ramadan

A Muslim commemoration of the communication of the Koran to Muhhamad. Muslims observe this 28 day period by fasting before sundown.

Religion

A system of belief regarding a deity. Usually with accompanying ethics, rituals and ceremonies.

Sabbath

A day of rest and contemplation. Observed on Saturday in Judaism and Sunday in Christianity.

Satan

A supernatural being believed to be pure evil. Also known as the Devil or Lucifer.

Synagogue

A Jewish house of worship.

Talmud

Hebrew translation of “teaching”. Assembled Jewish oral law and tradition.

Torah

Jewish holy text, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) believed to have been written by Moses.

Trinity

Christian belief that God is composed of three beings at once: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.