Different Religious and Philosophical Views

AGNOSTIC
"Gnosis" is Greek for knowledge. "A-gnosticism" is a lack of knowledge, in our case, lack of knowledge regarding the existence or nature of God or group of gods. The agnostic claims that he doesn't know, and, in fact, it is impossible for anyone to know whether God exists. Many Agnostics believe that while we cannot know anything about deity or deities at the present time, this could conceivably change in the future.

ANIMISM
A belief that all components of the universe, including humans, animals, plant life, rocks, etc. contain some form of life force, soul or spirit.

ANTINOMIANISM
The belief that salvation is obtained totally through faith and not through performing good works and/or living a moral life. Once a believer is saved, they are not bound to follow moral laws. He can freely sin because he is forgiven of past and future transgressions.

ASCETICISM
The belief that a conflict exists between one's body and spirit. By renouncing the needs and desires of the body, one can attain a higher spirituality.

ATHEISM
Atheists assert that there is no God or gods. Atheists believe that life stops at death.

DEISM
Deism acknowledges God as the creator but denies that God has any continuing hand in worldly matters.

HENOTHEISM
The belief in many deities of which only one is the supreme deity. This may involve one chief God and multiple gods and goddesses of lesser power and importance. Ancient Greek and Roman religions were of this type. Another version is one supreme God, and multiple gods and goddesses who are all simply manifestations or aspects of the supreme God. Hinduism is one example; they recognize Brahman as the single deity. Some Wiccans believe in a single deity about which they know little. They recognize the God and Goddess as the male and female aspects of that supreme deity.

HUMANISM
The practice of developing human virtues through contemplation as well as action. Sought to balance all of the elements of human nature and reform society through the understanding of what was basically and inalienably human. Humanism is a philosophy which in most cases embraces Agnosticism or Atheistic belief about the non-existence of a deity. But it goes further to create ethical systems based upon reason and logic. It regards humanity as the measure of all things. Humanists emphasize a belief in the importance of doing good in society.

MONOTHEISM
One who believes in the existence of only one deity, usually male.

PAGANISM
Based upon direct perception of the forces of nature. A form of religion based on activities which involve elements of divination, sorcery, magic and/or supernaturally gained concrete experiences or truths. Most Pagan religions are characterized by a connection and reverence for nature, and are usually polytheistic. They have no concept of sin but often have belief in karma and reincarnation. This word has many unrelated meanings. Some definitions are:
-Wiccans and other Neopagans sometimes use Pagan as a synonym for Neopagan.
-a person who is neither Christian, a Muslim or a Jew.
-an animistic, spirits-and-essences filled belief system, usually polytheistic. It is based upon direct perception of the forces of nature and usually involves the use of idols, talismans and taboos in order to convey respect for these forces and beings.
-The ancient religions of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other civilizations are often referred to as Pagan religions.

PANENTHEISM
Like Pantheism, Panentheism includes the belief that God is in all. The belief that the entire universe - substances, forces and laws -- is God - the universe is God's body. In addition, God is seen as transcending the universe.

PANTHEISM
Pantheism is the philosophy that everything is God (pan="everything" theos="God") or that the universe and nature are divine. It is the belief that every existing entity (humans, animals, etc.) together, is a part of God. Pantheism is distinguished from panentheism, which holds that God is in everything, but also transcends the Universe. It does not believe in a transcendent or personal God who is the creator of the universe and the judge of humans. Many pantheists feel the word "God" is too loaded with these connotations and never use the word in their own practice - though they may use it to simplify, or to explain things to theists. Pantheism has often been accused of atheism, and not just because it rejects the idea of a personal creator God. Strict or naturalistic pantheism believes that the Universe either originated itself out of nothing, or has existed forever. Modern scientific pantheism is materialistic. It believes that design in the universe can be fully accounted for by principles of evolution and self-organization. It does not believe in separate spirits or survival of the soul after death. Pantheists concerned about personal immortality seek it in realistic ways - through children, deeds, works, and the memories of the living.

POLYTHEISM
The belief in the existence of more than one deity. A polytheist often believes in both Gods and Goddesses. Often confused with "henotheist."

RATIONALISM
This was a movement in the 18th century Protestantism that abandoned the idea of Biblical inerrancy and adopted the belief that the Bible can be analyzed as a historical document. Some Rationalists assert that the existence of some form of deity can be proven by reason.

SHAMANISM
This is a system of religious and medical beliefs and practices that centers on the shaman, a specific type of magico-religious practitioner in which the shaman is the great master of ecstasy who specializes in contacting and controlling the supernatural. Usually male, his main task was healing of diseases. Shamanism was originally centered in central Asia and Siberia. The role of the shaman is a mediator between the human world and the world of the spirits. The ability to consciously move beyond the physical body is the particular specialty of the traditional shaman.

THEISM
Interprets the one cosmic, life giving power into personal terms. Different versions varying in their views of the adequacy of those personal terms. Jews, Muslims, and Christians are all theists. God is an assumed intelligent individual. It is belief in the existence of one God viewed as the source of man and the world, who transcends yet is immanent in the world. The theist does not necessarily assert that God has physical characteristics. The theist does feel that God has had and continues to have an effect upon the world.