Religious Beliefs, WHA-ZUR
Our religious beliefs can affect our lifestyle, our perceptions, and our way of relating to fellow human beings. Is there a higher power (or powers) that governs the universe and judges all of us? Does committing a mortal sin mean the death of a soul, or is there a chance for forgiveness? The answers to such questions differ widely across different religions.
Religious Beliefs Encyclopedia Articles By Title
What happens when the archbishop of Canterbury is enthroned?
On March 25, 2026, Sarah Mullally was installed as the 106th archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman in the more......
What is Holy Week?
During Holy Week, Christians recall the events leading up to Jesusâ death by crucifixion and, according to their......
What Is Jeremy Benthamâs âAuto-Iconâ?
Jeremy Bentham, the founder of modern utilitarianism, died in London on June 6, 1832, at the age of 84. In the......
What Is the Bible Belt?
The Bible Belt is an informal term for a region of the United States, generally associated with the South and parts......
What Is the Difference Between Allah and God?
Allah (ۧÙÙÙ) is the Arabic word for âGodâ and is used as a proper noun. In Arabic it is used by Muslims, Christians,......
What is the Difference Between Daoism and Confucianism?
The two great indigenous philosophical and religious traditions of China, Daoism and Confucianism, originated about......
What is the difference between Dussehra and Vijayadashami?
Dussehra and Vijayadashami are two Hindu festivals usually celebrated on the 10th day of the bright half (shukla......
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
The worldâs primary religions fall into two categories: Abrahamic religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and......
What Is the Origin of Hanukkah?
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah owes its origins to Judas Maccabeusâs victories over the Seleucid armies and the......
What Is the Shortest Verse in the Bible?
The shortest verse in the Christian Bible is from the Gospel According to John in the New Testament. In the New......
What is the Urbi et Orbi blessing?
On April 5, 2026, Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter mass since his election as leader of the Roman Catholic......
Whatâs the difference between Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism?
Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism share deep historical roots, and both Christian traditions maintain liturgical......
Where Did the Idea for the Magic 8 Ball Come From?
In the U.S., fortune-telling novelty toys such as the sleepover classic Ouija Board and the tiny red Fortune Teller......
Where Does the Concept of a âGrim Reaperâ Come From?
For thousands of years, various cultures have had figures to represent death. One of the most common and enduring......
Where Is the Ark of the Covenant?
Jewish and Christian tradition presents the Ark of the Covenant as the physical manifestation of Godâs presence......
Which country has the most Anglicans?
Nigeriaânot Englandâhas the most Anglicans in the world. The Church of Nigeria, one of the provinces of the worldwide......
Which Is Correct: Hanukkah or Chanukah?
The Jewish Festival of Lights is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple......
Which Religion Is the Oldest?
Adherents hold that Hinduismâone of the principal faiths in the modern world, with about one billion followersâis......
Who Are the Alevis in Turkey?
In April 2023 Turkish presidential candidate Kemal KılıçdaroÄlu made waves when he announced on social media, âBen......
Who Were the Assassins?
In 1167 CE Benjamin of Tudela, a Spanish rabbi, visited Syria on a 13-year journey through the Middle East and......
Who Were the Most Influential Popes?
St. Peter, the rock upon which the Christian Church was built, was the first pope, and in many ways, he stands......
Who Wrote the King James Bible?
âLet there be light.â âMy brotherâs keeper.â âFight the good fight.â A number of the most well-known phrases in......
Why are black cats unlucky?
Black cats are considered unlucky in some cultures because of superstitious beliefs that have been passed down......
Why are horseshoes lucky?
Horseshoes are considered lucky because of their traditional association with protection and good fortune. The......
Why canât Muslims eat pork?
The QurÊŸÄn states that the consumption of pork is not allowed, as it is considered impure, and pork is therefore......
Why Do Brides Wear White?
In many societies the color white has long been associated with purity and virtue, and that is one reason why some......
Why Do Catholics Eat Fish on Fridays?
A common Lenten tradition in many Roman Catholic communities is the Friday fish fry: deep-fried fish dinners usually......
Why do Catholics pray to Mary?
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is venerated by Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians because they view her as a significant......
Why do churches bless pets?
Every October many churchesâespecially Roman Catholic parishesâhost a ceremony for blessing pets. The event is......
Why Do Dragons Hoard Treasure?
Dragons hoard treasure as a symbol of the destructive power of greed. In European mythology and literature, storytellers......
Why do Hindu gods have many heads and arms?
This is a common question about Hinduism but not a straightforward one to answer. The simplest response is that......
Why do Jews put stones on graves?
Jews place stones on graves of the dead as a sign of respect and remembrance for the people buried below. In Judaism......
Why Do People Eat Corned Beef on St. Patrickâs Day?
Every year on St. Patrickâs Day, Americans of all backgrounds celebrate Irelandâs patron saint by eating corned......
Why Do People Say âAmenâ at the End of a Prayer?
According to Merriam-Webster, the interjection amen is "used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression......
Why do people throw salt over their shoulder?
Some people may throw salt over their shoulder in the belief that it wards off evil spirits or misfortune. This......
Why Do We Drop a Ball on New Yearâs Eve?
âThe Times Building will be especially illuminated to-night in honor of the birth of 1908,â announced The New York......
Why Do We Wear Green on St. Patrickâs Day?
Every March 17, people in Ireland and around the world suddenly turn green. Shirts, hats, beads, and even rivers......
Why is 13 unlucky?
The belief that the number 13 brings bad luck can be traced back to various historical and cultural beliefs. In......
Why Is Christmas in December?
Christmas, the holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated by a majority of Christians on December......
Why is St. Patrickâs Day celebrated on March 17?
St. Patrickâs Day is celebrated on March 17 because, according to legend, it marks the death of St. Patrick, the......
Why is the vigil before a burial called a wake?
A wake is a religious rite that traditionally involves mourners staying awake to watch over the body of a deceased......
Why the Name a Pope Chooses Matters
William Shakespeare may have poo-pooed the importance of names by asking âWhatâs in a name?â But when it comes......
Why wasnât there an American pope before Leo?
The election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the first American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic......
Wicca
Wicca, the largest of the modern Pagan, or Neo-Pagan, religions. Its followers, who are called Wiccans, typically......
Witch doctor
Witch doctor, a healer or benevolent worker of magic in a nonliterate society. The term originated in England in......
witch hunt
witch hunt, a series of investigations and persecutions of âwitchesâ that occurred in Europe and the European colonies......
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, term usually applied to harm brought upon others through the use of supernatural or occult powers.......
witchesâ sabbath
witchesâ sabbath, nocturnal gathering of witches, a colourful and intriguing part of the lore surrounding them......
witching hour
witching hour, in folklore, the time at night when the powers of witches and other supernatural beings are believed......
Women of Faith: Meet the Four Female Doctors of the Church
The title âdoctor of the churchâ is granted to saints in the Roman Catholic Church whose writings and teachings......
worker-priest
worker-priest, in the Roman Catholic church, member of a movement, especially in France and Belgium after World......
world tree
world tree, centre of the world, a widespread motif in many myths and folktales among various preliterate peoples,......
World Youth Day
World Youth Day, program of religious education and spiritual formation for youth in the Roman Catholic Church.......
worship
worship, broadly defined, the response, often associated with religious behaviour and a general feature of almost......
Wuwei
Wuwei, in Chinese philosophy, and particularly among the 4th- and 3rd-century-bce philosophers of early Daoism......
xian
xian, in Chinese Daoism, an immortal who has achieved divinity through devotion to Daoist practices and teachings.......
Xiao
Xiao, in Confucianism, the attitude of obedience, devotion, and care toward oneâs parents and elder family members......
xinshu
xinshu, an early Chinese Daoist system aimed at purifying the practitionerâs life force (qi) and enabling him to......
Xu
Xu, in Chinese Daoism, a state of equilibrium through which one becomes receptive to and attuned with the transforming......
yab-yum
yab-yum, (Tibetan: âfather-motherâ), in Buddhist art of India, Nepal, and Tibet, the representation of the male......
yad
yad, in Judaism, a ritual object, usually made of silver but sometimes of wood or other materials, that consists......
yahrzeit
yahrzeit, in Judaism, the anniversary of the death of a parent or close relative, most commonly observed by burning......
yajna
yajna, in Hinduism, offerings to the gods based on rites prescribed in the earliest scriptures of ancient India,......
Yajurveda
Yajurveda, collection of mantras (sacred formulas) and verses that forms part of the ancient sacred literature......
yaksha
yaksha, in the mythology of India, a class of generally benevolent but sometimes mischievous, capricious, sexually......
yama
yama, (Sanskrit: ârestraintâ), in the Yoga system of Indian philosophy, first of the eight stages intended to lead......
yamim noraÊŸim
yamim noraÊŸim, in Judaism, the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana (on Tishri 1 and 2) and Yom Kippur (on Tishri 10),......
yangsheng
yangsheng, in Chinese medicine and religion (particularly Daoism), various self-cultivation practices aimed at......
yantra
yantra, in Tantric Hinduism and Vajrayana, or Tantric Buddhism, a linear diagram used as a support for ritual.......
yazata
yazata, in Zoroastrianism, member of an order of angels created by Ahura MazdÄ to help him maintain the flow of......
Year of the Monkey
February 8, 2016, begins the Year of the Monkey according to the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year celebrations......
Year of the Rooster
According to the Chinese calendar, January 28, 2017, begins the Year of the Rooster. Chinese New Year celebrations......
yeshiva
yeshiva, any of numerous Jewish academies of Talmudic learning, whose biblical and legal exegesis and application......
yi-dam
yi-dam, in Tibetan Buddhism, a tutelary, or guardian, deity with whom a lama (monk) has a special, secret relationship.......
Yiddish literature
Yiddish literature, the body of written works produced in the Yiddish language of Ashkenazic Jewry (central and......
Yinyang
Yinyang, in Eastern thought, the two complementary forces that make up all aspects and phenomena of life. Yin is......
yizkor
yizkor, memorial prayer service recited for the dead by Ashkenazi (West and East European) Jews. The name yizkor......
Yoga
Yoga, one of the six systems (darshans) of Indian philosophy. Its influence has been widespread among many other......
Yogachara
Yogachara, an influential idealistic school of Mahayana Buddhism. Yogachara attacked both the complete realism......
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, most solemn and holiest of Jewish holidays when Jews seek to expiate their sins and achieve reconciliation......
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is observed on the 10th day of the month of Tishri (falling in September......
yoni
yoni, in Hinduism, the symbol of the goddess Shakti, the feminine generative power and, as a goddess, the consort......
yuga
yuga, in Hindu cosmology, an age of humankind. Each yuga is progressively shorter than the preceding one, corresponding......
Yule
Yule, winter festival observed historically by Germanic peoples and in modern times primarily by Neo-Pagans, coinciding......
Yƫzƫ Nembutsu
Yƫzƫ Nembutsu, Japanese Buddhist sect that stresses the permeating effect (yƫzƫ) of nembutsu, the invocation of......
zakat
zakat, an obligatory tax required of Muslims, one of the five Pillars of Islam. The zakat is levied on five categories......
zazen
zazen, in Zen Buddhism, seated meditation. The instructions for zazen direct the disciple to sit in a quiet room,......
Zealot
Zealot, member of a Jewish sect noted for its uncompromising opposition to pagan Rome and the polytheism it professed.......
zeon
zeon, in the Eastern Orthodox church, a part of the Eucharistic liturgy in which the deacon pours a few drops of......
zhenren
zhenren, in Daoism, a god or deified mortal. The term has been the official title of the head of the Zhengyidao......
Zionism
Zionism, Jewish nationalist movement with the goal of the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine,......
Ziran
Ziran, in Chinese philosophy, and particularly among the 4th- and 3rd-century bce philosophers of early Daoism......
ziyÄrah
ziyÄrah, (Arabic: âvisitâ), in IslÄm, a visit to the tomb of the Prophet Muáž„ammad in the mosque at Medina, Saudi......
Zodiac
Zodiac, a belt of 12 constellations around the sky through which the Sun, the Moon, and the naked-eye planets move......
Zodiac sign calculator
You probably already know what your zodiac sign is. For example, if you were born between March 21 and April 19,......
zombi
zombi, in Vodou, a dead person who is revived after burial and compelled to do the bidding of the reviver, including......
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, ancient pre-Islamic religion of Iran that survives there in isolated areas and, more prosperously,......
zucchetto
zucchetto, small skullcap worn by Roman Catholic clergy. The zucchetto is often worn on its own, as well as under......
zuhd
zuhd, (Arabic: âdetachmentâ), in Islam, asceticism. Even though a Muslim is permitted to enjoy fully whatever unforbidden......
Zurvanism
Zurvanism, modified form of Zoroastrianism that appeared in Persia during the SÄsÄnian period (3rdâ7th century......