Key Terms
What does the term "Religio" mean?
The Latin root of the word religion means “to bind.”
What is the Religious Impulse?
This universal human desire seeks meaning beyond ourselves.
These early beings demonstrated worshipping rituals, suggesting early religious behaviour.
Neanderthals.
Which "C" refers to laws, rules and holy books?
Code.
The belief in only one God.
Monotheism.
What does Secularism mean?
A worldview that finds meaning without reference to God or the sacred.
This Canadian reality describes positive coexistence of many faiths.
Religious Pluralism.
Early signs of rituals and worshipping support the idea that the religious impulse existed before this historical development.
Civilization and/or Societies.
Which "C" refers to festivals, symbols, holidays and milestones?
The belief in many Gods / Goddesses.
Polytheism.
This term refers to communication between people of different religious traditions.
Interreligious Dialogue.
A movement reacting to modernity and secularism, seeking a return to original beliefs, is known as this.
Fundamentalism.
One theory states that religion began as humans began to question life’s mysteries — this reflects which core concept?
The search for meaning (Religious Impulse).
Which "C" refers to beliefs and origins?
Creed.
The belief in many gods while choosing to worship one main God.
Henotheism.
A belief approach that views sacred texts as literal and unchanging truths.
Religious Fundamentalism.
These foundational narratives provide identity, meaning, and moral guidance, despite not being “false stories.”
Sacred stories and/or Myths.
Indigenous traditions influenced later religions by emphasizing these three common elements.
Which "C" refers to denominations, institutions, key figures and prayer leaders?
Community.
A worldview that denies the existence of any deity.
Atheism.
What does Agnosticism mean?
This type of belief states that the existence of a higher power is unknown or unknowable.
This difference distinguishes religion from harmful cults: religion promotes ethical growth, while cults isolate and manipulate.
Ethical Accountability vs. Manipulation.
One explanation for the rise of early religion is the recognition of...
Supernatural forces beyond human control.
The 4 C's are Creed, Course, Cult and Communion: True or False.
False.
A belief system that emphasizes human dignity, reason, and problem‑solving without divine reference.
Humanism.