Straighterline religion exam 1
Agnosticism
"Not know" (Greek); a position asserting
that the existence of God cannot be
proven.
Animism
From the Latin anima, meaning "spirit,"
"soul," "life force"; a worldview common among
oral religions (religions with no written scriptures)
that sees all elements of nature as being
filled with spirit or spirits.
Atheism
"Not God" (Greek); a position
asserting that there is no God or gods.
Deconstruction
A technique, pioneered by Jacques
Derrida, that sets aside ordinary categories of
analysis and makes use, instead, of unexpected
perspectives on cultural elements; it can be used
for fi nding underlying values in a text, fi lm,
artwork, cultural practice, or religious
phenomenon
Dualism
The belief that reality is made of two different principles (spirit and matter); the belief in two gods (good
and evil) in conflict.
Belief that spirit is inherently separate from nature.
, Immanent
Existing and operating within nature.
Monotheism
The belief in one God.
Nontheism
A position that is unconcerned with the
supernatural, not asserting or denying the
existence of any deity.
Pantheism
The belief that everything in the
universe is divine.
Polytheism
The belief in many gods.
Post-structuralism
An analytical approach that does not seek to find universal structures that might underlie language,
religion, art, or other such significant areas, but focuses instead on observing carefully the individual
elements in cultural phenomena.
Structuralism
An analytical approach that looks for universal structures that underlie language, mental processes,
mythology, kinship, and religions; this approach sees human activity as largely determined by such
underlying structures.
Agnosticism
"Not know" (Greek); a position asserting
that the existence of God cannot be
proven.
Animism
From the Latin anima, meaning "spirit,"
"soul," "life force"; a worldview common among
oral religions (religions with no written scriptures)
that sees all elements of nature as being
filled with spirit or spirits.
Atheism
"Not God" (Greek); a position
asserting that there is no God or gods.
Deconstruction
A technique, pioneered by Jacques
Derrida, that sets aside ordinary categories of
analysis and makes use, instead, of unexpected
perspectives on cultural elements; it can be used
for fi nding underlying values in a text, fi lm,
artwork, cultural practice, or religious
phenomenon
Dualism
The belief that reality is made of two different principles (spirit and matter); the belief in two gods (good
and evil) in conflict.
Belief that spirit is inherently separate from nature.
, Immanent
Existing and operating within nature.
Monotheism
The belief in one God.
Nontheism
A position that is unconcerned with the
supernatural, not asserting or denying the
existence of any deity.
Pantheism
The belief that everything in the
universe is divine.
Polytheism
The belief in many gods.
Post-structuralism
An analytical approach that does not seek to find universal structures that might underlie language,
religion, art, or other such significant areas, but focuses instead on observing carefully the individual
elements in cultural phenomena.
Structuralism
An analytical approach that looks for universal structures that underlie language, mental processes,
mythology, kinship, and religions; this approach sees human activity as largely determined by such
underlying structures.
