Religion

Sweat lodge: traditional Indigenous purification and steam ceremony Sweat lodge A sweat lodge is a ceremonial steam bath used by many Indigenous cultures for purification, prayer, and healing. The article explains structure, history, uses, safety, and contempo…

Swedish Pentecostal Movement A Protestant renewal movement in Sweden emphasizing charismatic worship, evangelism and independent congregations, established around 1906–1907 and comprising hundreds of local chu…

Synagogue: Jewish House of Assembly, Worship, and Study Synagogue A synagogue is the Jewish communal space for prayer, Torah reading, study and life-cycle events, with distinct furnishings and varying practice across communities and denominations…

Syro-Malabar Catholic Church: history, liturgy, structure and global presence Syro-Malabar Catholic Church An overview of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church: its East Syriac liturgy, origins in the Saint Thomas Christian tradition in India, governance, global dioceses, and notable feature…

Tabernacle: Portable Sanctuary, Eucharistic Receptacle, and Church Name Tabernacle A multi-faceted term: originally the portable sanctuary of Exodus, the Tabernacle became a symbol and object in later Judaism and Christianity, a Eucharistic repository, and a name…

Tajdīd: The Islamic Concept of Religious Renewal Tajdid Tajdīd (تجديد) denotes renewal or revival in Islam — the continuous effort to restore and reapply the faith’s sources and principles across changing times and contexts.

Takbir: Meaning, Religious Use, and Cultural Significance of Allahu Akbar Takbir Takbir refers to the Arabic phrase 'Allahu Akbar'—a short declaration of God's greatness used in Islamic worship, daily life, ceremonies, and some political contexts. Its meanings…

Takfir wal-Hijra: origins, beliefs, tactics and contemporary influence Takfir wal-Hijra Takfir wal-Hijra is a radical Islamist current that emerged in mid‑20th century Egypt; known for excommunication doctrine, clandestine tactics, and occasional links to transnationa…

Takfiri: Excommunication and the Politics of Declaring Unbelief Takfiri Takfiri refers to the practice of declaring a self-identified Muslim to be an unbeliever (kafir). The term is tied to theological debates, historical movements, and modern politica…

Tallit: the Jewish prayer shawl — meaning, parts, and uses Tallit A tallit is a Jewish prayer shawl with fringes (tzitzit) that marks religious obligation and ritual practice. This article explains its design, history, uses, and community variati…

Tantra: traditions, practices, and historical development Tantra Tantra denotes a group of ritual, meditative and textual traditions from South and East Asia that emphasize techniques for transformation, often transmitted through initiation and…

Tārā (Buddhism): Female bodhisattva and tantric deity of liberation Tara (Buddhism) Tārā is a central figure in Tibetan Vajrayana: a liberating female buddha or bodhisattva with many forms, practiced through visualization, mantra, and ritual to cultivate compassio…

Tarawih — Night Prayers of Ramadan Tarawih Tarawih are special voluntary night prayers performed by many Muslims during Ramadan. Practices and numbers of rak'ahs vary between communities and legal schools, and they are ofte…

Tariqa (Tarika): Sufi Orders and the Path of Islamic Mysticism Tarika A concise guide to the tariqa (tarika): the Sufi order as an organized spiritual path, its structure, practices, historical development, and cultural significance within Islamic my…

Taurobolium: Roman bull sacrifice and its cultic role Taurobolium Taurobolium was a Roman ritual involving the sacrifice of a bull that became closely associated with the worship of the Great Mother (Magna Mater/Cybele) in the mid-2nd century CE.

Tawhīd: The Principle of Divine Unity in Islam Tawhīd Tawhīd is the Islamic doctrine of God’s oneness and uniqueness, defining divine attributes, forbidding association with other deities (shirk), and shaping theology, worship, and et…

Te Deum (ancient Christian hymn of praise) Te Deum Te Deum is an ancient Latin Christian hymn of praise, probably composed in the 4th–5th century. It functions as a canticle in Western liturgies and has been widely translated and s…

Temple (religious building) Temple A temple is a building or complex dedicated to worship, ritual, and communal activities across many religions; forms, functions, and architecture vary widely by culture and faith.

Temple of All Religions (Kazan) Temple of All Religions Unfinished multi-faith cultural complex in Kazan, Russia, begun by artist Ildar Khanov in 1992. A symbolic assemblage of architectural elements from many religions and a local land…

Temple Square — religious and historic center in Salt Lake City Temple Square Temple Square is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Salt Lake City owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing the Salt Lake Temple, Tabernacle, Asse…

Ten Commandments: origins, text, and religious significance Ten Commandments Overview of the Ten Commandments (Decalogue): scriptural sources, typical content, variations in numbering and interpretation, and their influence in Judaism, Christianity, and wid…

Tenrikyo — Japanese faith emphasizing a joyous life and communal service Tenrikyo Tenrikyo is a Japanese religious movement founded in the 19th century that teaches belief in a single parental deity, promotes a joyous life through mutual help, and maintains a ce…

Teutonic Knights Medieval Catholic military order founded during the Crusades that became a theocratic power in the Baltic and later transformed into a clerical order based in Vienna.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints A concise, neutral overview of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: beliefs, scriptures, organization, history, practices, missionary work and distinguishing features.

The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children Two expanded passages associated with Daniel 3 that appear in the Septuagint and some Christian Bibles; they record a penitential prayer and a hymn of praise sung in the fiery furn…

The Reverend: honorific style for clergy The Reverend Overview of 'The Reverend', an honorific style used for Christian clergy and sometimes other faith leaders, its forms, history, usage conventions, and related variants such as The…

The Way of the Master: evangelism ministry and media outreach The Way of the Master An overview of The Way of the Master, a Christian evangelism ministry launched in 2002 by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, its methods, media output, training programs, and public rec…

Theism: Belief in God or gods — overview, history, and major distinctions Theism Theism is the belief that one or more deities exist. This article explains key meanings, historical development, principal variants, cultural importance, and how theism differs fro…

Theistic evolution (evolutionary creationism) Theistic evolution Belief that a deity used evolutionary processes to produce life. Explains how faith and modern evolutionary science can be interpreted as compatible while noting theological variat…

Theodicy of Disprivilege: Religious Justifications for Poverty and Marginalization Theodicy of disprivilege Theodicy of disprivilege describes religious responses that make poverty and marginalization meaningful, promising spiritual compensation or justice; used in sociology to explain a…

Theology — study, branches, history, and contemporary roles Theology An overview of theology: its meaning, principal branches and methods, historical development (including medieval university status), and its roles in religion, scholarship and publ…

Theravada: the early school of Buddhism and its traditions Theravada Theravada is the oldest surviving school of Buddhism, centered on the Pali Canon and monastic discipline, historically rooted in South and Southeast Asia and influential in contemp…

Third Epistle of John A short New Testament letter traditionally attributed to John, addressing hospitality, church authority, and community disputes; notable for its personal tone and concise counsel.

Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England Thirty-Nine Articles Historic doctrinal statements defining core Anglican positions on Scripture, sacraments, authority, and key controversies; produced in the 16th century and influential within Angli…

Thirunallar Saniswaran Temple (Dharbaranyeswarar) — Overview and Significance Thirunallar Saniswaran temple A detailed overview of the Thirunallar Saniswaran (Dharbaranyeswarar) temple in Thirunallar, Karaikal, Puducherry, highlighting its deities, rituals, history, and cultural importan…

Three Forms of Unity A concise overview of the Three Forms of Unity: the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism — their content, history, use in Reformed churches, and dist…

Three Jewels (Triple Gem) in Buddhism Three Jewels The Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, Sangha—are the central objects of refuge in Buddhism. This article explains their meanings, historical development, ritual role, variations across…

Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol) Tibetan Book of the Dead A Tibetan Buddhist guide for the dying and the recently deceased, outlining stages of the bardo, ritual readings and practices intended to ease passage and offer liberation; widely…

Tibetan Buddhism: traditions, beliefs, history, and cultural role Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism is a Vajrayāna form of Mahāyāna Buddhism developed in Tibet and the Himalayas, known for its monastic lineages, tantric practices, and distinctive rituals, art, an…

Tibetan Muslims (Kachee): History, culture, and distribution Tibetan Muslims Overview of Tibetan Muslims—commonly called Kachee—their origins, cultural life, distribution across Tibet and neighboring regions, and relationships with other Tibetan-origin Musl…

Tirthankara: Teachers of Liberation in Jain Tradition Tirthankara A comprehensive overview of tirthankaras — the enlightened teachers in Jainism — their role, characteristics, historic cycle, teachings, iconography and continuing significance.

Tishrei — Hebrew month of autumn, festivals, and the civil new year Tishrei Tishrei is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar (counting from Nisan) and the start of the civil year. It has 30 days and contains Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and related…

Tithe — the traditional religious tenth Tithe A tithe is the practice of setting aside one-tenth of income or produce for religious support. It has ancient Near Eastern and Israelite roots and later Christian and secular adapt…

Total depravity (Christian doctrine) Total depravity Total depravity is the theological claim that, because of original sin, human nature is wholly affected by sin and cannot turn to God without divine grace. Variations exist across…

Transubstantiation Transubstantiation is the Christian doctrine that, in the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the real presence of Christ while their sensory properties remain unchanged.

Trappist beer Beers brewed under the supervision of Trappist monks in certain monasteries, known for traditional styles (Dubbel, Tripel), charitable aims, and a protected authenticity label.

Tree of Life Overview of the Tree of Life as a scientific model of evolutionary relationships and as a widespread cultural and religious symbol, with its history, methods, limits and contempora…

Tribes of Israel: origin, organization, and historical legacy Tribes of Israel The twelve tribes of Israel trace to Jacob’s sons. This article explains their origins, territorial allotments, the special role of Levi and Joseph’s split, historical developments…