A religion that attempts to appeal to all people, not just those living in a particular location
Ethnic Religion
A religion with a relatively concentrated spatial distribution whose principles are likely to be based on the physical characteristics of the particular location in which its adherents are concentrated
Branch
A large and fundamental division within a religion
Denomination
A division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations in a single legal and administrative body
Sect
A relatively small group that has broken away from an established denomination
Monotheism
The doctrine or belief of the existence of only one god
Polytheist
Belief in or worship of more than one god
Animism
Belief that objects, such as plants and stones, or natural events, like thunderstorms and earthquakes, have a discrete spirit and conscious life
Pagan
A follower of a polytheistic religion in ancient times
Missionary
An individual who helps to diffuse a universalizing religion.
Ghetto
During the Middle Ages, a neighborhood in a city set up by law to be inhabited only by Jews; now used to denote a section of a city in which members of any minority group live because of social, legal, or economic pressure.
Pilgrimage
A journey to a place considered sacred for religious purposes.
Cosmogony
A set of religious beliefs concerning the origin of the universe.
Solstice
Time when the Sun is farthest from the equator.
Diocese
The basic unit of geographic organizaton in the Roman Catholic Church.
Autonomus Religions
A religion that does not have a central authority but shares ideas and cooperates informally.
Fundamentalism
Literal interpretation and strict adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect).
Caste
The class or distinct heriditary order into which a Hindu is assigned according to religious law.
Hierarchical Religion
The spread of a feature or trend from one key person or node of authority or power to other persons or places.
Science Vocab 147928
