Popular beliefPopular beliefs are studied as a sub-field of social sciences, like history and anthropology, which examines spiritual beliefs that develop not independently from religion, but still outside of established religious institutions. Aspects of popular piety, historical folklore, and historical superstitions are some of the themes explored.
Organized religionOrganized religion, also known as institutional religion, is religion in which belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established, typically by an official doctrine (or dogma), a hierarchical or bureaucraticleadership structure, and a codification of proper and improper behavior. DefinitionOrganized religion is distinguished from the broader idea of religion especially in anthropology, sociology and philosophy.
Religious syncretismReligious syncretism is the blending of religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation of other beliefs into an existing religious tradition. This can occur for many reasons, where religious traditions exist in proximity to each other, or when a culture is conquered and the conquerors bring their religious beliefs with them, but do not succeed in eradicating older beliefs and practices. It frequently involves melding church and state power.
Religious studiesReligious studies, also known as religiology or the study of religion, is the study of religion from a historical or scientific perspective. There is no consensus on what qualifies as religion and its definition is highly contested. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing empirical, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.
FolkloreExpressive culture shared by particular groupsA German folk tale, Hansel and Gretel; illustration by Arthur Rackham, 1909Folklore is the body of expressive culture shared by a particular group of people, culture or subculture. This includes oral traditions such as tales, legends, proverbs, poems, and jokes. This also includes material culture, such as traditional building styles common to the group.
DoctrineDoctrine (from Latin: , meaning 'teaching, instruction') is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system. The etymologicalGreek analogue is 'catechism'. Often the word doctrine specifically suggests a body of religious principles as promulgated by a church.
SanteríaAfrican diasporic religion from CubaA group of Santería practitioners performing the Cajón de Muertos ceremony in Havana in 2011Santería (Spanish pronunciation:), also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumí, or Lucumí, is an African diaspora religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It arose amid a process of syncretism between the traditional Yoruba religion of West Africa, Catholicism, and Spiritism.
ReligionSocial-cultural systemReligious symbols from left to right, top to bottom: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, the Baháʼí Faith, Eckankar, Sikhism, Jainism, Wicca, Unitarian Universalism, Shinto, Taoism, Thelema, Tenrikyo, and ZoroastrianismEthnicitySocial group defined by shared traitsAn ethnicity or ethnic group is a group of humans who identify with each other on the basis of perceived shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups. Attributes that ethnicities are believed to share include language, culture, common sets of ancestry, traditions, society, religion, history, region(s), or social treatment.
Folklore studiesFolklore studies (also known as folkloristics, tradition studies or folk life studies in the UK) is the academic discipline devoted to the study of folklore. This term, along with its synonyms, gained currency in the 1950s to distinguish the academic study of traditional culture from the folklore artifacts themselves.
West African VodúnVodún, Vodu, or vodunsinsen (Fon: vodúnsínsɛ́n) is an African traditional religion practiced by the Aja, Ewe, and Fon peoples of Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria. There is no central authority in control of the religion and much diversity exists among practitioners, who are known as vodúnsɛntó or vodúnisants. Vodún teaches the existence of a supreme creator divinity, under whom are lesser spirits called vodúns.
Catholic ChurchChristian church based in Rome*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.