Religion

Shudra: social grouping in the traditional Indian varna system Shudra Shudra denotes one of the four varnas in classical Hindu social theory, traditionally associated with service and manual occupations; its social meaning, history, and lived reality…

Shurat Islam (Kharijites): origins, beliefs, and legacy Shurat Islam Shurat Islam (commonly called Kharijites) were an early Muslim movement that broke from the main community over leadership and arbitration. This article explains their origins, doc…

Siddur: the Jewish prayer book Siddur A siddur is the traditional Jewish prayer book containing the set order of daily, Shabbat and festival prayers, blessings, liturgical poems and instructions, with many rites and mo…

Sign of the Cross (Christian ritual gesture) Sign of the cross A concise guide to the sign of the cross: its forms, theological meanings, historical development, and how different Christian traditions use this brief devotional gesture.

Gurdwara (Sikh temple): purpose, structure, practices and social role Sikh temple A gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship and community centre. This article explains its religious functions, architecture and symbolism, daily routines, social services, historical…

Sikhism: Beliefs, History, Practices and Institutions Sikhism Sikhism is a Dharmic religion founded in the Punjab region in the 15th century. It emphasizes devotion to one formless God, equality, community service, the teachings of the Gurus…

Sikhism in Pakistan: history, communities and sacred sites Sikhism in Pakistan An overview of the Sikh presence in Pakistan: its origins in Punjab, historic landmarks, demographic changes since 1947, contemporary communities, pilgrimage sites and legal and cu…

Simony: the buying and selling of spiritual offices Simony Simony is the practice of buying or selling ecclesiastical offices, roles, or spiritual benefits. Historically condemned in canon law, it has shaped church reform and rules on patr…

Sin (moral and religious concept) Sin A neutral overview of sin as a moral and religious category: definitions, types, historical development, examples, and distinctions between moral wrongs and culturally specific pro…

Slavic Native Faith (Rodnovery): Modern Revival of Slavic Paganism Slavic Native Faith Slavic Native Faith, or Rodnovery, is a contemporary pagan movement that seeks to revive pre-Christian Slavic beliefs, rituals and seasonal festivals. It is diverse, reconstruction…

Slavic paganism: pre-Christian beliefs and practices of the Slavs Slavic paganism Religious beliefs and ritual practices of Slavic peoples before Christianization, including major deities, rites, primary sources, and later cultural legacy and revivals.

Slavonic Orthodox Christianity Slavonic Orthodox Overview of Orthodox Christian churches and traditions associated with Slavic peoples, their liturgy in Church Slavonic, historical development, cultural role, and key distinctions…

Sloth (the deadly sin): meaning, history, and modern perspectives Sloth (deadly sin) Sloth, one of the seven capital sins, denotes spiritual or moral apathy and unwillingness to fulfill duty; this article covers theological origins, historical debate, social interp…

Smartism (Smarta tradition) — overview, beliefs and practices Smartism Smartism (Smarta tradition) is a nonsectarian Hindu stream that emphasizes scriptural study, philosophical inquiry (often Advaita), and a pluralistic practice of worship including…

Sol Invictus: The Unconquered Sun in Late Roman Religion Sol Invictus Overview of Sol Invictus, a late Roman sun cult—origins, principal associations (El Gabal, Mithras, Sol), the December 25 festival, imperial sponsorship, practices, and its debated…

Sola fide: the doctrine of salvation by faith alone Sola fide Sola fide is the Christian teaching that justification before God comes through faith in Christ alone. The doctrine shaped the Protestant Reformation and continues to influence Chr…

Sola scriptura: the Protestant doctrine of Scripture as the final authority Sola scriptura Sola scriptura is the Reformation principle that the Bible alone is the final rule for Christian faith and practice. It shaped Protestant theology, church life, and debates with Ca…

Soma (Vedic ritual drink) Soma (drink) Soma was a central sacred drink in Vedic religion, praised in the Vedas and associated with deity, ritual power, visionary experience and a long scholarly debate over its botanical…

Soteriology: The Study of Religious Salvation Soteriology Soteriology is the theological study of salvation, its means, aims, and effects across religious traditions, addressing doctrines like atonement, justification, liberation, and ult…

Southern Baptist Convention A major Baptist Christian denomination in the United States, known for congregational autonomy, mission work, seminaries, and a contested history including a split over slavery and…

Spiritism (Kardecian Doctrine) Spiritism Spiritism is a 19th‑century doctrine codified by Allan Kardec that studies spirit communication, moral progress, and reincarnation through an approach that combines empirical obser…

Spiritual gift (Christianity) Spiritual gift Spiritual gifts are abilities or callings described in the New Testament as given to Christians for service; Christians differ on their meaning, scope, and whether they continue to…

Séance: meeting, practices, history, and cultural significance Spiritual séance A séance is a ritual gathering—often led by a medium—intended to communicate with spirits. This article explains typical practices, historical development, notable figures, scienti…

Spiritual warfare (Christian belief and practice) Spiritual warfare Spiritual warfare is a Christian framework describing conflict with evil spiritual forces and the practices—prayer, exorcism, fasting, anointing—used to oppose them.

Spiritualism: belief in communication with the dead and its practices Spiritualism Spiritualism is a set of beliefs and practices asserting that living people can contact the spirits of the deceased. It grew in the 19th century, developed distinctive rituals, and…

Śruti: The Vedic Revelation of Hindu Scripture Śruti (scripture) Śruti (Sanskrit: 'that which is heard') denotes the revealed core of Hindu sacred literature—principally the Vedas and their associated texts—preserved by oral transmission and cen…

St. Luke's Church, Abbottabad Anglican-origin church in Abbottabad (founded 1864), now part of the Church of Pakistan’s Peshawar Diocese; notable for its colonial-era origins, continuing worship, and local comm…

St. Uriel's Episcopal Church (Sea Girt, New Jersey) St. Uriel's Episcopal Church An Episcopal parish in Sea Girt, New Jersey, known for Anglo-Catholic worship and its rare dedication to Saint Uriel; noted for a 1958 parish banner by the Sisters of Bethany.

Star and Crescent: history, design, and modern uses Star and crescent The star-and-crescent motif — a crescent moon accompanied by a star — has ancient roots and modern associations with states and Islam. This article outlines its appearance, history…

State religion: definition, history, functions, and distinctions State religion A state religion is an officially endorsed faith or denomination recognized by a government. This article explains forms, historical development, legal effects, examples and how it…

Stigmata: marks of crucifixion wounds in Christian tradition Stigmata Stigmata are bodily marks or wounds that correspond to the wounds of Christ's crucifixion. Reports span centuries; explanations include religious interpretation, psychosomatic cond…

Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) Stockholm Cathedral The medieval Stockholm Cathedral, known as Storkyrkan, is the main Church of Sweden parish church in central Stockholm, with medieval origins, notable art and a long role in royal…

Substitutionary atonement: Christian doctrine and interpretations Substitutionary atonement An overview of substitutionary atonement in Christian theology: definitions, major models, historical development, biblical grounding, uses in worship and pastoral care, and key th…

Sufism: The Mystical Tradition of Islam Sufism Sufism (Tassawuf) is the inward, mystical dimension of Islam emphasizing spiritual purification, remembrance of God, and guidance through a teacher and ritual practices.

Sugandha Shaktipeeth Sugandha Shaktipeeth is a Hindu shrine dedicated to the goddess Sunanda in Shikarpur near Barisal, Bangladesh. It is regarded locally as one of the regional Shakti Peethas and serv…

Suhrawardi (Suhrawardiyya) Sufi order Suhrawardi Suhrawardiyya is a Sunni Sufi order originating in medieval Iran and Iraq, noted for sober spiritual discipline, adherence to Islamic law, organized lodges, and influence across th…

Sumiyoshi Shrine (Hakata, Fukuoka) Sumiyoshi Shrine (Fukuoka) A historic Shinto shrine in Hakata, Fukuoka, traditionally linked to Empress Jingū and dedicated to the Sumiyoshi sea deities; notable for its maritime associations and role in loc…

Sunday school: Christian religious education programs Sunday school Sunday school is a regular class held by many Christian churches to teach the Bible and religious beliefs to children and adults, often meeting before or after Sunday worship.

Sunnah — the prophetic way in Islam Sunnah The Sunnah is the recorded practice and example of the Prophet Muhammad. It complements the Qur'an, is transmitted through Hadith reports, and plays a central role in Islamic law,…

Sunnah salat — Voluntary (Sunnah) prayers in Islam Sunnah salat Sunnah salat are voluntary prayers performed alongside the five daily prayers. They follow the Prophet’s practice, vary by type and emphasis, and are observed differently across le…

Sunni Islam: Beliefs, Law, History, and Global Presence Sunni Islam Sunni Islam, the largest branch of Islam, centers on the Qur'an and the Prophet's sunnah. Covers core sources, legal schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali), history, practices,…

Supersessionism: the theological idea of one covenant or religion replacing another Supersessionism Supersessionism is the doctrine that a later covenant, revelation, or religion supersedes an earlier one. This article defines the concept, outlines types, traces development, and…

Superstition: beliefs, origins, and social roles Superstition An overview of superstition: what it is, common forms, historical roots, psychological explanations, cultural roles, examples, and distinctions from religion and science.

Supreme Governor of the Church of England The Supreme Governor is the title held by the reigning British sovereign to signify the Crown's leadership and constitutional relationship with the Church of England, with historic…

Surah (chapter of the Qur'an) Sura A surah is a chapter of the Qur'an. Each surah consists of verses (ayat), has a traditional name, a place in the Qur'anic order, and a role in Muslim worship, study, and literature…

Susanna (Book of Daniel) A summary and analysis of the story of Susanna — an addition to the Book of Daniel found in some Christian traditions — its textual history, themes, and influence in art and law.

Swami Bagh Temple, a Vaishnav Hindu temple in Dhaka Swami Bagh Temple Swami Bagh Temple is a long-standing Vaishnav Hindu shrine in Dhaka, Bangladesh, serving as a religious, cultural, and community center for devotees and visitors.

Swastika: origins, forms, and cultural significance Swastika An overview of the swastika: its form, historical spread, roles in Asian religions, adoption in pre-modern cultures, 20th-century appropriation, and contemporary meanings and contr…