pollution

In many religions, concepts of purity and pollution are central. Pollution refers to a state that disturbs or defiles a person's vital energies, which can affect both physical and mental well-being. These energies can be disturbed by certain contacts or experiences, and even natural elements, animals, plants, or technology can be subject to pollution.1

Rituals are often performed to re-establish purity. These can range from simple gestures like washing hands or reciting prayers to more complex ordeals or the symbolic transfer of impurities to a scapegoat. Pollution is a social concern because it is believed to spread, and different cultures define what is pure and impure differently.1

Pollution beliefs can merge with religious concepts like the sacred, sin, and evil. In some systems, pollution is seen as a sin or an offense against a divine moral order, while purity is a virtue. Universalistic religions like Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam tend to de-emphasize specific pollution avoidances, subsuming them into broader moral and religious frameworks. Anomalies, such as unusual natural events, births, or physical deformities, are also often categorized as polluting.23