Vocabulary of the World's Religions
Why are Words Important?
The term "word" may be defined as "the exact
representation of an idea or concept." Words make communication possible
… without them we would only grunt or bark or snort or hiss … without them
it would be impossible for us to share ideas or concepts with other human
beings. However, in order for us to communicate with words, we must share a
common definition of the terms that we use.
In order to communicate ideas effectively we must use the
exact word that produces the desired mental image in the mind of the person with
whom we wish to communicate. For example, the word "truck" conjures up
many different mental images. When used alone the word produces in the minds of
some some people the image of a very large vehicle with 18 (or more) wheels, for
others it produces an image of a much smaller vehicle with only four wheels.
Even when used with other words, the image produced is not always the image
intended. The term "fire truck" may define anything from a small
rescue vehicle to a large hook-and-ladder truck and, depending on the area of
the country in which you live, it may be red or yellow or white.
When we begin discussing the religious beliefs of the peoples
around the world, an exact definition of the words that we use becomes of
critical importance, because without a precise agreement on the meaning of the
words that we use we can never communicate accurately the concepts that we wish
to convey. The term "salvation," for example, means a great number of
different things to those of different religions. To some, "salvation"
means to be glorified to the status of G-dhood and given a planet to rule over.
To others it means to be granted the privilege of living forever in a re-created
and perfect Earth. To still others the word means to become one with the essence
of deity.
On the pages in this section we have attempted to define some
of the key terms that are used in the various major religions of the world, so
that we may come to correctly understand them the same way they are understood
by the members of those religions.
Vocabularies are currently available for the following
religions:
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