Religion

Apocatastasis: the doctrine of universal restoration in philosophy and theology Apocatastasis Apocatastasis is the idea of universal restoration found in ancient Greek thought and later Christian theology. This article outlines its origins, variations, key proponents, theol…

Apostasy: leaving or renouncing a faith Apostasy Apostasy is the formal abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief. The article explains definitions, how it differs from heresy, historical treatments, legal and social cons…

Apostasy in Islam: definitions, legal views, and contemporary debates Apostasy in Islam Apostasy (abandoning Islam) covers theological, legal, and social responses across Muslim traditions. This article explains definitions, scriptural sources, juristic positions, and…

Apostles' Creed: history, structure, uses, and significance Apostles' Creed A summary of the Apostles' Creed: its origins, textual structure, theological themes, liturgical uses across Western Christianity, and notable distinctions from other Christian cre…

Archbishop: Role, History, and Distinctions Archbishop Senior bishop who presides over an archdiocese in several Christian traditions. Overview of duties, types, history, appointment, and notable distinctions across denominations.

Arianism: early Christian teaching on Christ's nature Arianism Arianism was a 4th‑century Christian doctrine, associated with Arius of Alexandria, which held that the Son was created and not fully God; it was condemned at Nicaea and shaped ear…

Ark of the Covenant: origin, description, traditions, and legacy Ark of the Covenant The Ark of the Covenant is the sacred chest described in biblical tradition as housing the Ten Commandments. This article summarizes its description, ritual role, textual sources,…

Armenian Apostolic Church: history, beliefs, structure, and cultural role Armenian Apostolic Church The Armenian Apostolic Church is an ancient Oriental Orthodox national church founded in the early centuries of Christianity, central to Armenian religious life, culture, and diasp…

Armenian Catholic Church An Eastern Catholic sui iuris church of the Armenian Rite in full communion with Rome, headquartered in Bzoummar, Lebanon, with historic roots, distinct liturgy and a global Armeni…

Armenian Evangelical Church: history, beliefs, and global presence Armenian Evangelical Church A concise overview of the Armenian Evangelical Church: origins in 1846 Constantinople, core beliefs, organization, historical development, social contributions, and distinctions fr…

Arminianism Arminianism is a Protestant theological movement about salvation that emphasizes human response, prevenient grace, and conditional election. It originated with Jacobus Arminius and…

Arupadai Veedu — The Six Abodes of Murugan Arupadai Veedu Arupadai Veedu (Āṟupadai veedu) are six celebrated Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu, central to Tamil religious tradition, literature and pilgrimage.

Ásatrú (Asatru): Modern Heathenry and the Norse Pagan Revival Asatru Ásatrú is a contemporary revival of pre-Christian Germanic and Norse religious traditions focused on the Æsir and related ancestors, with varied practices, histories, and modern or…

Ascension of Jesus The Ascension of Jesus is the New Testament account and Christian belief that after his resurrection Jesus was taken up into heaven; it shapes theology, worship, art, and the litur…

Asceticism: practice, history, and purposes of disciplined renunciation Asceticism Asceticism is a lifestyle of disciplined renunciation of sensory pleasures for spiritual, religious, or philosophical aims; it appears across many traditions and takes varied forms…

Aso Shrine (Aso Jinja) — Shinto sanctuary on Mount Aso's volcanic caldera Aso Shrine Aso Shrine (Aso Jinja) is a historic Shinto sanctuary on the northern rim of Mount Aso’s active volcanic caldera in Kumamoto, Japan, known for its rituals, festivals and close ties…

Assyrian Church of the East: history, doctrine and global presence Assyrian Church of the East Ancient Eastern Christian church originating in the Persian world; known for the East Syriac liturgy, distinct Christology, early expansion into Asia, and a modern diaspora.

Atenism — the Amarna sun-disk religion of ancient Egypt Atenism Atenism was the radical religious program introduced by Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 18th Dynasty, focused on the sun disk Aten and notable for its art, rituals, and contested claim to…

Athanasian Creed (Quicumque vult) Athanasian Creed Latin Christian statement of faith stressing the Trinity and the two natures of Christ. First attested in the early Middle Ages, long misattributed to Athanasius and important in W…

Atharva Veda: Text, Themes, History and Significance Atharva Veda Overview of the Atharva Veda (Atharvaveda): its contents, structure, recensions, associated Upanishads, historical development, links to medicine and ritual, and its place in Hindu…

Atheism: absence of belief in deities Atheism Atheism is the absence or rejection of belief in gods. This article explains definitions, varieties, history, social role, and distinctions from agnosticism and related ideas.

Atonement (religious concept) Atonement Atonement is the religious idea that wrongdoing can be repaired or forgiven, most prominently developed in Judaism and Christianity with rituals, repentance, and theological explan…

Augsburg Confession (Confessio Augustana) Augsburg Confession The Augsburg Confession, presented at the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, is the foundational Lutheran statement of faith that set out doctrine, reforms, and differences with Roman Catho…

Augustinians Roman Catholic religious communities inspired by Augustine of Hippo; including mendicant friars and canons, known for communal life, scholarship, preaching, and a long role in educ…

Aum (Om): Sacred Sound and Symbol in Indian Religions Aum Aum (Om) is a primordial syllable and symbol central to Hinduism and other Indian traditions. It denotes a sacred sound, philosophical concepts, ritual practice, and a visual emble…

Aum Shinrikyo: Japanese religious movement and the 1995 Tokyo sarin attack Aum Shinrikyo Aum Shinrikyo is a Japanese apocalyptic new religious movement founded by Shoko Asahara, notorious for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack; it was reorganized as Aleph and remains s…

Autocephaly (self-governance of Christian churches) Autocephaly Autocephaly is an ecclesiastical status in which a church's primate does not report to a higher-ranking bishop, giving the church administrative independence while remaining within…

Avatar: concept, forms, and cultural significance in Hinduism and beyond Avatar An overview of the Hindu concept of avatar — its meaning, principal manifestations (especially of Vishnu), key myths, theological roles, and modern cultural use of the term.

Avesta: The Sacred Scriptures of Zoroastrianism Avesta The Avesta is the primary scripture of Zoroastrianism, written in the ancient Avestan language. It contains hymns attributed to Zoroaster, liturgical material, hymns to divinities,…

Ayatollah (Shia Islamic clerical rank) Ayatollah High-ranking Twelver Shia cleric skilled in Islamic law, theology and teaching; a title denoting senior scholarship, authority in jurisprudence, and often leadership within Shia co…

Ayin (Hebrew letter) Ayin Ayin is the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a Semitic consonant with a distinctive history and varying pronunciation. This article explains its form, sound, origin, uses a…

Ayyavazhi: 19th‑century South Indian religious movement Ayyavazhi Ayyavazhi is a religious tradition that emerged in mid‑19th century South India around Ayya Vaikundar, with distinct scriptures, practices and a social reform orientation within th…

Azali (Azali Bábism) — origins, beliefs and distinctions Azali Azali (Azali Bábism) is an Iranian religious current that emerged in the 19th century under Subh‑i‑Azal; it traces roots to the Bábí movement and combines monotheism with influence…

Bábism A mid-19th‑century Persian religious movement founded by the Báb; its teachings, suppression, and schisms influenced later developments including the Bahá'í Faith.

Bahá'í calendar (Badíʿ calendar) Bahá'í calendar A solar ritual and civil calendar of the Bahá'í community, organized into 19 months of 19 days, beginning at the vernal equinox and rooted in 19th-century Bábí and Bahá'í history.

Bahá'í Faith A concise encyclopedia overview of the Bahá'í Faith: its origins, core beliefs (unity of God, religion, and humanity), history, social teachings, practices, and distinctive institu…

Bahá'í World Centre (Haifa, Mount Carmel) Bahá'í World Centre Administrative and spiritual heart of the Bahá'í community, located on Mount Carmel in Haifa. Includes the Shrine of the Báb, terraces, archives, and governing institutions; import…

Balarama: the Elder Brother of Krishna and Heir of the Plough Balarama Balarama (Baladeva) is a major figure in Hindu tradition: Krishna’s elder brother, an archetype of strength and agriculture, often identified with the serpent Ananta-Śeṣa and depic…

Baltic paganism: pre-Christian beliefs of the Baltic peoples and their legacy Baltic paganism The pre-Christian religious systems of Lithuanians, Latvians and Old Prussians: gods, rites, sacred places, archaeological evidence, Christianization and modern revival movements.

Baptism: Christian rite of initiation, symbolism, and diverse practices Baptism Baptism is the Christian rite of initiation symbolizing cleansing, rebirth and admission to the church. Methods, timing and theological meanings vary among traditions and historica…

Baptist: Believer's Baptism, Congregational Churches, and Origins Baptist Baptists are a Christian tradition emphasizing believer's baptism by immersion, local church autonomy, and religious liberty. Originating in the 17th century, Baptists now comprise…

Bar and Bat Mitzvah: Jewish coming-of-age rites and community roles Bar and Bat Mitzvah Bar and Bat Mitzvah are Jewish coming-of-age milestones marking when a child becomes responsible for Jewish law, tradition, and communal participation; ceremonies and practices var…

Batuque (Afro-Brazilian religion) Batuque (religion) Batuque is an Afro‑Brazilian religious tradition originating among African-descended communities in southern Brazil. It combines drumming, spirit possession, ancestor veneration an…

Beadle A beadle is a minor church or synagogue officer who assists clergy, ushers worshippers, maintains order and performs practical or ceremonial tasks; the role varies by faith, place…

Bear worship (Arctolatry): traditions, rituals and cultural significance Bear worship Overview of bear worship (arctolatry), its traits, historical origins, and examples among northern Eurasian and North American cultures, with notes on rituals, symbolism and schola…

Beatification: Catholic recognition of a person as Blessed Beatification Beatification is a declaration by the Catholic Church that a deceased person is Blessed, allowing limited public veneration and marking the third step in the process toward canoniz…

Beatitudes: Christian teachings on blessedness and moral character Beatitudes The Beatitudes are a set of sayings of Jesus found in the Gospels that describe qualities and promises for those considered 'blessed'; central to Christian ethics and spiritual tea…

Bel and the Dragon — Deuterocanonical Additions to Daniel Bel and the Dragon Bel and the Dragon is a three-part addition to the Book of Daniel, preserved in some ancient manuscripts. It contains two polemical tales ridiculing idol worship and a variant lion…