Religion

Spiritism religion (Kardecism)

Spiritist philosophy postulates that humans, along with all other living beings, are essentially immortal spirits that temporarily inhabit physical bodies for several necessary incarnations to attain moral and intellectual improvement --wikipedia

torii (Shinto shrine gate)

traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine (cal. 650, TvF), where it symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred --wikipedia

Around the Year with Emmet Fox: A Book of Daily Readings

Emmet Fox is calibrated at 475 in Truth vs. Falsehood.

penance

As used in ACIM lesson 101: You still believe [salvation] asks for suffering as penance for your “sins.”

purgatory is real

The Catholic Church holds that "all who die in God's grace and friendship but still imperfectly purified" undergo a process of purification, which the Church calls purgatory, "so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" --wikipedia

Zen whack / keisaku

not considered a punishment, but a compassionate means to reinvigorate and awaken the meditator who may be tired from many sessions of zazen, or in the "monkey mind" state (overwhelmed with thoughts) --wikipedia

Creaster (religious term)

Request: A Christian who only goes to church for Christmas and Easter, hence the name Creaster. I've only seen it used in Catholic circles but I'm pretty sure it applies to anyone and everyone.

Ausbund (Amish hymnal)

The Ausbund ("Paragon" in German) is the oldest Anabaptist hymnal and one of the oldest Christian song books in continuous use. It is used today by North American Amish congregations --wikipedia

Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession

the faithful are absolved from sins committed after baptism and reconciled with the Christian community --wikipedia

On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision

William Lane Craig offers four arguments for God’s existence, defends the historicity of Jesus’ personal claims and resurrection, addresses the problem of suffering, and shows why religious relativism doesn’t work --amazon.com

pray the gay away (conversion therapy)

The error, I presume, is the resistant posture of making homosexuality a sin

praying to God asking for a return to heterosexual behaviors and thoughts

vs. deciding to calmly decline the energy boost or emotional payoff of homosexual thoughts as they arise

loudspeakers on mosques

Request: Common in Islamic countries. Intrusive proselytizing or maintaning awareness of God?

blood of Jesus Christ for protection

e.g. saying a prayer asking Jesus to cover one with his blood for protection and purification --request

Bastet (Egyptian goddess)

the goddess of protection, pleasure, and the bringer of good health. She had the head of a cat and a slender female body --egyptianmuseum.org