Religion+and+non-Religion

__Topic Glossary__


 * Aberration:** A departure from the normal or typical.


 * Affiliation:** To become closely connected or associated with.


 * Atheism:** Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God.


 * Agnosticism:** The belief that there can be no proof that God does or does not exist


 * Animism:** Is a belief in nature being the past upon which the future depends. Animists believe that after death they become a spirit who is then able to take an active role amongst the living.


 * Conservative:** A religion that strives to preserve existing traditions; often at a detriment to accepting new ideas.


 * Experiential Dimension:**


 * Humanism:** A belief system formed upon the assumption that human knowledge is limited to experience, therefore the presence of a god(s) cannot be proven. Humanism includes a set of ethical values to support their belief in having only one life that they must make the best of. There are two main branches of humanism:
 * //Rational Humanism:// A philoshophy centred on the idea of humans doing good for one another, in order to make the best of their life and the lives of others.
 * //Scientific Humanism//: Is an extension of rational humanism that emphasises the scientific method and the importance of being perceptive to new ideas, whilst being sceptical of older ideas.


 * Monotheism:** A belief that there is only one divine being; only one God. e.g. Islam, Judaism, Christianity


 * Polytheism:** A belief that there are many deities or gods. e.g. Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism


 * Radical:** A religion that favours change and reform. This can be both positive and negative:
 * //Positive:// When a religion 'goes back to its roots' in orfer to ascertain what a key religious figure may have done in the context of modern society
 * //Negative:// There is little regard for previously established practices and traditions.
 * //Example: Pentecostalism, a denomination of Christianity which centres its beliefs around the gifts of the Holy Spirit.//


 * Religious Worldview:** Is a belief system that encompasses a believers beliefs in regards to living life, who we are etc. A religious worldview usually encourages self-sacrifice in a largely materialistic and individually centred society.