Philosophy is ultimately a subjective, opinion-based theory, that is not necessary a factual truth, rather a search for the truth. That is the same case for religion, that is based mostly on faith and an instinctive feeling (not scientific fact). Religion is arguably one of the most intriguing forms of philosophy that seeks answers to the greatest questions. Who made us? Why are we here? What comes after life? So I'd like to focus purely on religious philosophical concepts without getting too outstretched. I've broken this research down into what I consider the main categories and branches of religious belief (for-and-against). First I'm going to start with the basic terminology of religious concepts. Then I'd like to identify the spectrum of theism (belief in God) to non-theism (disbelief in God). I'd also like to explore metaphysical theories such as existence, free will, spirituality, harmony of nature, mysticism, and secret knowledge. This study will be mostly broad religious concepts pertaining to Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, and general philosophy. Perhaps in another post I will dive deeper into the actual religions themself. (Spoiler: Christianity Philosophy is coming next).
Religious Concepts
Afterlife- The speculation of existence after death. This is a major component of most religions, that cannot be proved thru any scientific evidence. This includes religious concepts of Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Reincarnation, Resurrection, Annihilationism, Universalism, and Mortalism.
Anthropopathism- Attributing human emotions to God. Such as his anger, regret, or joy. This demonstrates the human nature of God, who made us in his image. "The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth..." — Genesis 6:6. "The anger of the Lord burned against Israel..." — Judges 2:14. "He will take great delight in you... he will rejoice over you with singing." — Zephaniah 3:17
Anthropomorphism- Attributing human body parts to God. Such as his hand, eyes, and ears.
Cataphatism- This the opposite of Apophatic theology, that describes God thru affirmation. God is Love, God is great. God is wonderful. It is also referred to as Positive Theology.
Aseity- God's complete independence and infinitude. Unlike humans who rely on parents to achieve existence, God is ever present. "I am who I am"- Exodus 3:14
Belief- Accepting something to be true. Not to be confused with faith or hope.
Cult- A small religious group that practices excessive and often extreme devotion to their leader or deity. Sometimes it is a sect or denomination that has broken away from the larger religious body.
Deity- A god or supernatural power that is often worshiped or revered.
Enlightenment- A form of spiritual awakening thru knowledge, experience, and understanding of the truth of reality. This is a core concept of Buddhism and Hinduism where enlightenment leads to freedom from the endless cycle of suffering (also known as Nirvana or Moksha). It is a form of inner peace, wisdom, and union with a higher power (whether that be God, nature, or oneself).
Eschatology- Study of the afterlife and the end times. Personal Eschatology pertains to the question after death, while Cosmic Eschatology pertains to what happens after the world comes to an end. This is also tied to Apocalypticism, Millennialism, Armageddon, Ragnarok, the Final Judgement, and the New Creation.
Faith- To go beyond belief, by putting total trust, reliance, and confidence to the unknown (whether God or religion). It is to believe something without proof or evidence.
Hope- The expectation that something good will happen. Not to be confused with faith.
Miracle- A supernatural event that transcends the laws of nature. It is often accredited to God or some supreme being.
Prayer- The act of communicating to a deity in the form of confession, thanksgiving, requests, praise, or worship.
Pre-existence- The concept that a person existed as a spirit or consciousness, prior to their physical form.
Reincarnation- The belief that after death, the spirit is reborn into a new form of life. This is a continuous cycle of death and rebirth. It is especially prevalent to the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The cycle is also referred to as Samsara. Karma- Actions have consequences that affect future lives. This is also tied to the belief of reincarnation in the eastern Asian religions.
Nirvana- The liberation of the rebirth cycle by achieving total enlightenment.
Revelation- The truth revealed via a supernatural vision or medium. Not to be confused with inspiration or an epiphany, that is a feeling that occurs from within. A revelation is a higher form of inspiration and understanding that comes from an external source.
Scripture- The sacred text that is seen as the foundation of a religious tradition. It is often written by prophets or apostles who were divinely inspired (or even had the truth revealed to them). Examples include the Bible, The Qur'an, and the Tanakh.
Soul/Spirit- The metaphysical essence of a person that transcends physical form. It is often seen as a non-physical form of a person's consciousness, identity, and even the source of their life (more so then the brain or heart). Science cannot prove the existence of the spirit, however it remains a central element to many religious beliefs and philosophies.
Transcendence- Going beyond our perception of nature and reality. It is often seen as a higher state of consciousness, a state of meditation, where union with the divine and supernatural can occur. This is a common occurrence for many religious apparitions and visions. It was also a popular movement during the 1800s with key advocates such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Thoreau.
Worship- The praise of a deity or supernatural power thru prayer, adoration, ritual, sacrifice, or some form of devotion.
Religious Theism (Belief that God exists)
Theism- It is the belief that there is a God (singular or plural) who created the universe and interacts with existence. The majority of religions are based around this concept, which believe there is a God who interacts with humanity thru sustainment, providence, grace, answering prayers, revelations, miracles, and so forth. It is seen as the primary reason for our existence and purpose in this life. The question on the nature of this God is covered in sub-categories such as Polytheism, Monotheism, Eutheism, or Dystheism.
Deism- The belief that a supernatural being, deity, or God created the universe as we know it, however does NOT intervene in it (as opposed to Theism). This concept is not supported by Christianity and most other religions, since it is believed that God not only created the universe but also answer prayers and perform miracles. The concept of deism theory was most popular during the enlightenment period by Unitarians and rationalists such as Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.
Monotheism- Belief that there is only one God. Examples include Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Polytheism- Belief in multiple Gods. Examples include Hinduism, Shinto, and ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse religions (now considered mythology).
Dystheism- God's nature is not entirely good, but rather flawed and even cruel at times. Similar to humanity, God has a good, bad, and even an indifferent side.
Maltheism- God is purely malicious and evil. This explains the problem of evil and suffering.
Non Theism (Belief that God does not exist)
Non-theism- The absence of belief in God. This is the umbrella term for disbelief, apathy, and indifference towards the existence of God. It is a common component of eastern religions that put more emphasis on oneself over the existence of a divine being. Examples include Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism.
Atheism- The belief that god does NOT exist. It is the direct opposite of theism. It is not a religion rather a philosophical state of belief (or in this case disbelief). This belief is often backed by a lack of evidence, scientific reasoning, and the problem of evil. It's most famous supporters include Epicurus, David Hume, Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzche.
Determinism- Everything that happens is caused by previous events and conditions. This is not to be confused with free will, where a person has total control of their choices. This makes the case their choice is already determined based by their personality, upbringing, environment, and experience. Some key advocates include Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin, Baruch Spinoza, Thomas Hobbes, Albert Einstein, and BF Skinner.
Compatibilism- Free Will and Determinism are compatible with one another. Even if your genetic desires have already been established you still have the freedom to make the choice. This is a form of soft determinism, where even though the outcome is determined, free will still exists because it is being made by the individual and not someone else.
Metaphysics of Religion
Monism- The belief that all existence comes from one principle source, and although it appears separate it is in truth united as one reality. This philosophy is especially popular in Hinduism which uses the term Braham to explain how everything is united. The source is not clearly defined, whether that be God, scientific matter, nature, or our interconnected consciousness. This is the complete opposite of dualism, which believes there are two opposing sources in the universe.
Dualism- The belief that reality is broken up into two symmetrical opposing forces. Such as the physical world and the spiritual world. Night and Day. Good and Bad. They are complete opposites but also work as complimentary forces for the balance of existence. This is a key belief of many ancient religions and philosophies such as Chinese yin and yang, Zorostrianism, Jainism, Samkhya, Gnosticism, and Manichaeism. The French Philosopher Renee Descartes was a major advocate of the mind-body dualist view, seeing them as two different substances.
Pluralism- The belief that reality consists of multiple substances, no just one (monism) or two (dualism). This avoids the simplistic approach of monastic and even dualistic views. It accepts that our existence is actually a very complicated one of many forces at work.
Acosmism- The idea that the universe and reality as we know it are all one great illusion. Only God or the absolute are truly real. Even though we see trees, water, the sky, humans, even consciousness, it is all an altered perception created by God that is not true reality. God's nature is the only true existence. This concept is known as Maya in the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. It considers the universe as basically one large magic show where things are not really as they seem. These ideas are also used in Neoplatonism and mysticism where the material physical is mostly an illusion created by the Absolute Reality (God).
Animism- The idea that all nature has consciousness and spirits, not just humans. This would not only include plants and animals but even rivers, mountains, and the weather itself. Similiar to Religious naturalism it considers nature as one interconnected ecosystem. The only difference is that Animism goes beyond Naturalism by stating it is not only sacred, but also has a real spiritual energy (like in the movies Avatar or Ferngully). This is a popular philosophy among many indigenous Native peoples.
Creationism- The belief that the universe was created by a divine being and not some scientific natural process. There are various degrees of this belief that accept elements of scientific evolution or completely reject it. This religious belief holds that science cannot answer the questions of Cosmogony and the "why" behind the universe. Although more modern creationist views accept the Big Bang and Evolution theories, while still holding the divine being as the source of it all.
Spirituality- The pursuit of understanding one's inner self and it's relationship to the physical world. It can be described as one's essence, the mystical core that makes a person who they are. It is referred to as the soul or the spirit. It transcends religious philosophy as a general term representing someone's identity and their will. It can often be used symbolically since there is no scientific evidence that a soul exists within every human being. It is a core belief of many religions and philosophical ideals alike that seek to better understand one's purpose and meaning in this existence.
Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge)
Fideism- The view that faith stands above reason. It claims that science and reason do not have the rightful answers. The truth comes thru faith alone. There is a spectrum however of hardline fideism to softer fideism that accepts some reason. The most notable fideist is the early Christian philosopher Tertullian.
Esotericism- Secret knowledge or practices that are intended only for a limited group of people. These are hidden or symbolic meanings that are discovered only thru academic and spiritual study. It can relate to mysticism, enlightenment, and transcendence. It is on par with Gnosticism, that holds the truth to be hidden and can only be discovered by a pursuit of wisdom and spiritual practice. (I will focus more on Gnosticism in my post about Christian Theological Concepts). Esotericism is often associated with occultist rituals and traditions. Other examples of esoteric practice include Hermeticism, Jewish Kabbalah, Alchemy, Sufism, and Theosophy. There are also secret fraternal societies that use esoteric elements such as Freemasonry, Rosicurcianism, and the Ordo Templi Orientis.
Religious Politics
Antireligion- The idea that religion is harmful to society and humanity would be better off without it. This is not necessarily pure atheism rather against the institutions of religion like the church bodies. It is even against religions that do not have deities such as Hinduism and Jainism. One could be a deist while still being antireligion such as Thomas Paine, who believed in a God but was against organized religion.
Fundamentalism- The view that seeks to preserve and defend the foundation of the religion against modern reformations. This stance prefers the traditional scriptures and doctrine and sees it as the original faith. They would also be considered fideists or even creationists against any form of scientific reason and social reform.
Exclusivism- The belief that only one particular viewpoint, philosophy, or religion is the truth, and the others are misguided or simply incorrect. This is a very strict and conservative stance, while the opposite would be Omnism or Perennialism that finds common truth in all religions.
Inclusivism- The belief that one religion contains the total truth, however accepts other religions can coexist with one another. This is on the basis of their shared beliefs of spirituality and faith in a higher power. This is the complete opposite of exclusivism which would reject other religions and consider one's own religion as the correct path to salvation.
Anthropopathism- Attributing human emotions to God. Such as his anger, regret, or joy. This demonstrates the human nature of God, who made us in his image. "The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth..." — Genesis 6:6. "The anger of the Lord burned against Israel..." — Judges 2:14. "He will take great delight in you... he will rejoice over you with singing." — Zephaniah 3:17
Anthropomorphism- Attributing human body parts to God. Such as his hand, eyes, and ears.
"I will redeem you with an outstretched arm..." — Exodus 6:6. "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." — Proverbs 15:3. "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry." — Psalm 34:15
Apophatism- The notion that God is so beyond human comprehension that it is better to describe what he is NOT rather than what he is. Such as God is Not evil, God is not finite, God is not created. This is also referred to as Negative Theology.
Apophatism- The notion that God is so beyond human comprehension that it is better to describe what he is NOT rather than what he is. Such as God is Not evil, God is not finite, God is not created. This is also referred to as Negative Theology.
Cataphatism- This the opposite of Apophatic theology, that describes God thru affirmation. God is Love, God is great. God is wonderful. It is also referred to as Positive Theology.
Aseity- God's complete independence and infinitude. Unlike humans who rely on parents to achieve existence, God is ever present. "I am who I am"- Exodus 3:14
Belief- Accepting something to be true. Not to be confused with faith or hope.
Cult- A small religious group that practices excessive and often extreme devotion to their leader or deity. Sometimes it is a sect or denomination that has broken away from the larger religious body.
Divinity- The nature of a god or a supernatural being.
Enlightenment- A form of spiritual awakening thru knowledge, experience, and understanding of the truth of reality. This is a core concept of Buddhism and Hinduism where enlightenment leads to freedom from the endless cycle of suffering (also known as Nirvana or Moksha). It is a form of inner peace, wisdom, and union with a higher power (whether that be God, nature, or oneself).
Eschatology- Study of the afterlife and the end times. Personal Eschatology pertains to the question after death, while Cosmic Eschatology pertains to what happens after the world comes to an end. This is also tied to Apocalypticism, Millennialism, Armageddon, Ragnarok, the Final Judgement, and the New Creation.
Faith- To go beyond belief, by putting total trust, reliance, and confidence to the unknown (whether God or religion). It is to believe something without proof or evidence.
Hope- The expectation that something good will happen. Not to be confused with faith.
Miracle- A supernatural event that transcends the laws of nature. It is often accredited to God or some supreme being.
Prayer- The act of communicating to a deity in the form of confession, thanksgiving, requests, praise, or worship.
Reincarnation- The belief that after death, the spirit is reborn into a new form of life. This is a continuous cycle of death and rebirth. It is especially prevalent to the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The cycle is also referred to as Samsara. Karma- Actions have consequences that affect future lives. This is also tied to the belief of reincarnation in the eastern Asian religions.
Nirvana- The liberation of the rebirth cycle by achieving total enlightenment.
Revelation- The truth revealed via a supernatural vision or medium. Not to be confused with inspiration or an epiphany, that is a feeling that occurs from within. A revelation is a higher form of inspiration and understanding that comes from an external source.
Scripture- The sacred text that is seen as the foundation of a religious tradition. It is often written by prophets or apostles who were divinely inspired (or even had the truth revealed to them). Examples include the Bible, The Qur'an, and the Tanakh.
Soul/Spirit- The metaphysical essence of a person that transcends physical form. It is often seen as a non-physical form of a person's consciousness, identity, and even the source of their life (more so then the brain or heart). Science cannot prove the existence of the spirit, however it remains a central element to many religious beliefs and philosophies.
Transcendence- Going beyond our perception of nature and reality. It is often seen as a higher state of consciousness, a state of meditation, where union with the divine and supernatural can occur. This is a common occurrence for many religious apparitions and visions. It was also a popular movement during the 1800s with key advocates such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Thoreau.
Worship- The praise of a deity or supernatural power thru prayer, adoration, ritual, sacrifice, or some form of devotion.
Religious Theism (Belief that God exists)
Deism- The belief that a supernatural being, deity, or God created the universe as we know it, however does NOT intervene in it (as opposed to Theism). This concept is not supported by Christianity and most other religions, since it is believed that God not only created the universe but also answer prayers and perform miracles. The concept of deism theory was most popular during the enlightenment period by Unitarians and rationalists such as Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.
Monotheism- Belief that there is only one God. Examples include Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Polytheism- Belief in multiple Gods. Examples include Hinduism, Shinto, and ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse religions (now considered mythology).
- Henotheism- The belief that many Gods exist, but only one is the supreme authority.
- Monolatrism- The belief that many Gods exist, but only the supreme God is to be worshiped.
- Kathenotheism- The belief that many Gods exist, and each god can be worshipped as supreme at different times.
Dystheism- God's nature is not entirely good, but rather flawed and even cruel at times. Similar to humanity, God has a good, bad, and even an indifferent side.
Maltheism- God is purely malicious and evil. This explains the problem of evil and suffering.
- Misotheism- A person's hatred of God
- Pandeism- God created the universe and then completely became the universe. That is to say there is no longer a God outside of the universe.
Non Theism (Belief that God does not exist)
Non-theism- The absence of belief in God. This is the umbrella term for disbelief, apathy, and indifference towards the existence of God. It is a common component of eastern religions that put more emphasis on oneself over the existence of a divine being. Examples include Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism.
Atheism- The belief that god does NOT exist. It is the direct opposite of theism. It is not a religion rather a philosophical state of belief (or in this case disbelief). This belief is often backed by a lack of evidence, scientific reasoning, and the problem of evil. It's most famous supporters include Epicurus, David Hume, Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzche.
- Implicit "Weak" Atheism- Disbelief in God, but does not claim outright that he does not exist.
- Explicit "Strong" Atheism - Disbelief in God, and claims outright that God does NOT exist.
- Ignosticism- The concept that the question of God cannot be answered because the notion of God is an ambiguous one.
- Transtheism- The concept that the question of God is irrelevant to more practical questions such as suffering and inner-peace.
Ietsism- The belief in a higher spiritual force or power. Not necessarily believing in God or religion, rather a belief that there is something greater at work. This attitude falls most in-line with spiritualists who believe in the power of energy, consciousness, and interconnectivity with everything. It can somewhat be tied into the school of Pantheism, where the spiritual force is the presence of God. However Ietsism does not claim outright that this energy is God or not, rather that there is something transcendent at work.
Autotheism (Egotheism)- The belief that oneself is divine. In other words God resides within the individual, thus making a person identical to God. This approach rejects that there is a greater being at work, rather that they themselves are God in control of their own destiny. This is another form of spirituality, where the focus is put more on the power of oneself vs the reliance of a higher deity.
Religious Naturalism- The belief that nature itself is the religion, free of any divine presence. This is ultimately an atheist approach, that puts total emphasis on the natural environment. Since nature is filled with life, beauty, and mystery it can inspire meaningful reverence and purpose to our existence. Ultimately it is not thru God, yet thru the scientific natural order of the universe that our reality can be understood and appreciated. This philosophy favors a constant interconnected ecosystem like the Circle of Life. Taoism- A religion that focuses on the natural flow and balance of the universe. It claims that it is best to trust in the natural order of existence in order to achieve peace and wisdom. The idea here is to appreciate the present moment, with an emphasis on the harmony of nature. All of life and existence is one with nature, which is referred to as Tao.
Destiny and Free Will
Libertarianism- Humans posses the ability to make their own choice free of any influence or pre-determined outcome. This is a principle element of Christianity where God gives humanity free will to choose between right and wrong. The future is not determined, but it entirely in the hands of the beholder.
Religious Naturalism- The belief that nature itself is the religion, free of any divine presence. This is ultimately an atheist approach, that puts total emphasis on the natural environment. Since nature is filled with life, beauty, and mystery it can inspire meaningful reverence and purpose to our existence. Ultimately it is not thru God, yet thru the scientific natural order of the universe that our reality can be understood and appreciated. This philosophy favors a constant interconnected ecosystem like the Circle of Life. Taoism- A religion that focuses on the natural flow and balance of the universe. It claims that it is best to trust in the natural order of existence in order to achieve peace and wisdom. The idea here is to appreciate the present moment, with an emphasis on the harmony of nature. All of life and existence is one with nature, which is referred to as Tao.
Destiny and Free Will
Libertarianism- Humans posses the ability to make their own choice free of any influence or pre-determined outcome. This is a principle element of Christianity where God gives humanity free will to choose between right and wrong. The future is not determined, but it entirely in the hands of the beholder.
Causality- The view that all events and existence are produced by prior events and conditions. Everything that happens in this universe is the product of cause and effect. This theory was notably promoted by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas.
Determinism- Everything that happens is caused by previous events and conditions. This is not to be confused with free will, where a person has total control of their choices. This makes the case their choice is already determined based by their personality, upbringing, environment, and experience. Some key advocates include Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin, Baruch Spinoza, Thomas Hobbes, Albert Einstein, and BF Skinner.
- Predestination- The theological belief that certain events have been determined by God. This mostly pertains to salvation with the idea that God favors some more than others. It was a controversial belief of Augustine of Hippo.
Compatibilism- Free Will and Determinism are compatible with one another. Even if your genetic desires have already been established you still have the freedom to make the choice. This is a form of soft determinism, where even though the outcome is determined, free will still exists because it is being made by the individual and not someone else.
Metaphysics of Religion
Monism- The belief that all existence comes from one principle source, and although it appears separate it is in truth united as one reality. This philosophy is especially popular in Hinduism which uses the term Braham to explain how everything is united. The source is not clearly defined, whether that be God, scientific matter, nature, or our interconnected consciousness. This is the complete opposite of dualism, which believes there are two opposing sources in the universe.
- Materialism- The belief that everything that exists in our universe is physical matter and energy. There is no soul or spiritual world. This is mostly an atheist philosophy where scientific process is used as the only form of reason.
- Idealism- The belief that everything that exists in this universe is mental. Reality as we know it as made up by our mind, spirit, and consciousness.
- Neutral Monism- Something even deeper than physical matter or mental consciousness.
Pluralism- The belief that reality consists of multiple substances, no just one (monism) or two (dualism). This avoids the simplistic approach of monastic and even dualistic views. It accepts that our existence is actually a very complicated one of many forces at work.
Acosmism- The idea that the universe and reality as we know it are all one great illusion. Only God or the absolute are truly real. Even though we see trees, water, the sky, humans, even consciousness, it is all an altered perception created by God that is not true reality. God's nature is the only true existence. This concept is known as Maya in the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. It considers the universe as basically one large magic show where things are not really as they seem. These ideas are also used in Neoplatonism and mysticism where the material physical is mostly an illusion created by the Absolute Reality (God).
Creationism- The belief that the universe was created by a divine being and not some scientific natural process. There are various degrees of this belief that accept elements of scientific evolution or completely reject it. This religious belief holds that science cannot answer the questions of Cosmogony and the "why" behind the universe. Although more modern creationist views accept the Big Bang and Evolution theories, while still holding the divine being as the source of it all.
Spirituality- The pursuit of understanding one's inner self and it's relationship to the physical world. It can be described as one's essence, the mystical core that makes a person who they are. It is referred to as the soul or the spirit. It transcends religious philosophy as a general term representing someone's identity and their will. It can often be used symbolically since there is no scientific evidence that a soul exists within every human being. It is a core belief of many religions and philosophical ideals alike that seek to better understand one's purpose and meaning in this existence.
Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge)
Fideism- The view that faith stands above reason. It claims that science and reason do not have the rightful answers. The truth comes thru faith alone. There is a spectrum however of hardline fideism to softer fideism that accepts some reason. The most notable fideist is the early Christian philosopher Tertullian.
Rationalism- The view that all truths come from reason and not thru blind faith. It is seen as the scientific method against metaphysical senses, and in favor of intellectual, deductive, and logic-based reasoning. This school of thought became very popular during the Enlightenment led by Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Gottfried Leibniz.
- Evidentialism- A belief can only be considered rational if there is sufficient and irrevocable evidence to support the claim
Empiricism- Knowledge comes primarily through sensory experience. We come to learn and understand things not thru faith or science, rather by living in general. It is through observation, emotions, evidence, and experience that we begin to understand the deeper nature of our existence. It's greatest advocate was David Hume. 
Existentialism- The general question of the meaning of life. Whether pertaining to God or not, this study examines the purpose of our existence which is often considered completely incomprehensible. It seeks to find authenticity in life while accepting that the truth is ultimately a mystery. This philosophical branch became especially popular during the 19th and 20th century by philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Fyodor Dostoevsky.
- Nihilism- There is no purpose to this life.
- Absurdism- Seeking purpose in this life that has no clear rational answers
- Existential Humanism- Humans create meaning and purpose in this life through human values and relationships.
- Religious Existentialism- Meaning of life is found thru faith and a spiritual mentality
Esotericism- Secret knowledge or practices that are intended only for a limited group of people. These are hidden or symbolic meanings that are discovered only thru academic and spiritual study. It can relate to mysticism, enlightenment, and transcendence. It is on par with Gnosticism, that holds the truth to be hidden and can only be discovered by a pursuit of wisdom and spiritual practice. (I will focus more on Gnosticism in my post about Christian Theological Concepts). Esotericism is often associated with occultist rituals and traditions. Other examples of esoteric practice include Hermeticism, Jewish Kabbalah, Alchemy, Sufism, and Theosophy. There are also secret fraternal societies that use esoteric elements such as Freemasonry, Rosicurcianism, and the Ordo Templi Orientis.
- Hermeticism- Belief centered on the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus who merged the aspects of the Greek god Hermes with the Egyptian god Thoth. The core ideas focus on a divine mind that created the universe. Humanity possess a small fraction of this divine mind but can only access it thru spiritual enlightenment, not thru faith or ritual prayer. It shares similarities to the Hindi concepts of rebirth, enlightenment, and achieving nirvana (union with the divine and inner self)
- Rosicrucianism- A brotherhood branch of Hermeticism founded by Christian Rosenkretuz with additional elements of mysticism, alchemy, philosophy, and symbolism. It also encourages union with science and religion. The key is that only thru study and contemplation can true spiritual transformation occur.
- Theosophy- Spiritual movement founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky that claims that all religions are in pursuit of the same single ancient wisdom. The core belief is that all humanity is one family, that have evolved not just biologically but also spiritually. Other key concepts include Karma, Reincarnation, and hidden realms and layers of reality.
Mysticism- The pursuit of a supernatural experience that transcends physical reality. This is often associated with a deeper connection with God, nature, or with oneself. It is usually achieved thru pure meditation, awareness, enlightenment, and solitude. Apparitions or visions from God, could be considered a form of mysticism. It is also considered a form of transcendence or altered consciousness.
- Kabbalah- Jewish mystical tradition that teaches there is a deeper spiritual structure behind the visible world. This highest reality is known as Ein Sof (Without End). They use the symbol of the Tree of Life as a spiritual map to achieve devekut (a form of enlightenment or unity with God).
- Sufism- Islam mystical tradition that focuses on the inner spiritual transformation that brings people into full awareness of God. They key distinction here is that one must lose their ego (referred to as Nafs) in order to seek wisdom and closeness with God.
- Hesychasm- Mystical tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church that puts emphasis on inner stillness to achieve a direct experience of God. One can only achieve proper communion with God, when they set aside all worries and distractions and practice solitude, silence, and prayer. This state of inner peace is referred to as "Theosis".
- Advaita Vedanta- School of Hindu philosophy that claims reality is one united existence known as Brahman. It also claims that oneself (referred to as Atman) is identical to the ultimate reality of Brahman. This also connects to the illusionary concept of Maya where the world is not some physical place, rather a mystical and spiritual place. The goal of self-awareness is referred to as Moksha.
- Zen Buddhism- Similiar to Taoism, it is a mystical Buddhist tradition that focuses on the direct realization of reality. It makes the case that the truth is not hidden but in plain sight and ever present. It is a minimalist form of mysticism that seeks to do away with the philosophical pursuit of enlightenment and rather focus on the present moment itself (claiming we have already achieved enlightenment).
Religious Politics
Antireligion- The idea that religion is harmful to society and humanity would be better off without it. This is not necessarily pure atheism rather against the institutions of religion like the church bodies. It is even against religions that do not have deities such as Hinduism and Jainism. One could be a deist while still being antireligion such as Thomas Paine, who believed in a God but was against organized religion.
Fundamentalism- The view that seeks to preserve and defend the foundation of the religion against modern reformations. This stance prefers the traditional scriptures and doctrine and sees it as the original faith. They would also be considered fideists or even creationists against any form of scientific reason and social reform.
Exclusivism- The belief that only one particular viewpoint, philosophy, or religion is the truth, and the others are misguided or simply incorrect. This is a very strict and conservative stance, while the opposite would be Omnism or Perennialism that finds common truth in all religions.
Inclusivism- The belief that one religion contains the total truth, however accepts other religions can coexist with one another. This is on the basis of their shared beliefs of spirituality and faith in a higher power. This is the complete opposite of exclusivism which would reject other religions and consider one's own religion as the correct path to salvation.
- Omnism- The belief that all religions contain some degree of truth. It is a form of syncretism or religious pluralism that combines multiple beliefs and philosophies. This is a core concept of the Baha'i Faith religion, which emphasizes the unity of all religions.
- Pluralism- Many religions are valid paths to salvation
- Perennialism- All religions point to the same reality
Secularism- The separation of religion from the government. It is the belief that public life should not be governed by a religious authority. It administers the laws in an ethical form, that is unbiased and neutral towards any religions.
Theocracy- Government authority comes directly from the church or religious leaders.
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