| Term | Definition |
| Ibn Rushd Averroes | – 1126-1198 Islamic theologian synthesizing Aristotle with Islam |
| Sufis | – Islamic mystics; originated in Persia, some are dancing dervishes, influenced Al Ghazzali |
| Macumba | – Brazilian popular religion with African roots |
| Nation of Islam | – "Black Muslims"; African-American movement with prejudicial views against whites and Jews |
| Ellen G. White | – 1826-1915 founder of Seventh Day Adventists |
| Malcolm X | – African-American spokesman for Nation of Islam who later challenged its doctrine of racial prejudice |
| Pilgrimage | – a journey to attend a shrine; pilgrimage to Mecca is obligatory in Islam |
| Al-Ghazzali | – 1058-1111 Islamic theologian reconciling reason with mysticism |
| Juche | – the state sponsored religion of North Korea |
| Druses | – Islamic, apocalyptic, exclusivistic, non-proselytizing sect found largely in Lebanon |
| Scientology | – 20th century denomination founded by L. Ron Hubbard; opponents consider it to be a mere front for the Dianetics Movement and having cultish tendencies |
| Muslim, Moslem | – an adherent of Islam, "one who submits to God" |
| Shakers | – 19th century American sect famous for their rigorous dancing; celibate, communitarian; founded by Ann Lee, now extinct |
| Shia | – sect of Islam predominant in Iran and Libya; has present-day living prophet (imam) |
| Nanak | – 1469-1539 founder of Sikh religion, he was originally a Hindu in India |
| Holy Roller | – derogatory term for 20th century Pentecostals or Charismatic Christians who sway or fall down in ecstasy |
| Infidel | – derogatory Muslim term for a non-Muslim |
| Jihad | – Islamic holy war against infidels; also includes ethics about treatment of innocent in warfare; can refer to an inward struggle |
| Christian Science | – a denomination founded by Mary Baker Eddy; emphasizes spiritual healing |
| George Fox | – 1624-1691 Englishman who founded Quakers (Society of Friends) |
| Joseph Smith Jr. | – 1805-1844 founder of Latter Day Saints, "the prophet" who translated Book of Mormon, other revelations |
| Brigham Young | – 19th century Mormon leader; took over after Smith's assassination and led Mormons to Utah |
| Sun Myung Moon | – Korean founder of Unification Church, considered a cult by many |
| Sunni | – sect of Islam predominant outside of Iran; based upon consensus agreement on Qu’ran; Muhammad was the last prophet |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | – proselytizing denomination founded by C.T. Russell; set apocalyptic dates, deny the trinity, refuse participation in civil affairs |
| Martin Luther King | – 1929-1968 Baptist minister, nonviolent civil rights leader of African-Americans |
| Adventist | – a 19th century U.S. movement led by William Miller which declared that 1844 would be the second coming of Christ; influenced Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses |
| Sabaean-Mandean | – an ancient monotheistic religion of the Middle East; practices baptism |
| Kingdom Hall | – a building for Jehovah's Witness meetings |
| Seventh Day Adventist | – 19th century Protestant sect founded by Ellen White; apocalyptic, vegetarian, worship on Saturday |
| Quaker | – pacifistic religion founded by G. Fox; no clergy, no sacraments; also known as the Society of Friends |
| Koran (Qu’ran) | – Islamic scripture, revelations received by the prophet Muhammad, usually transliterated as Qu'ran |
| Mecca | – Islamic city of obligatory pilgrimage; Muslims face Mecca when praying |
| Mosque | – a building for Islamic worship |
| Mormon | – Also called Latter Day Saints, Christian denomination started in 19th century by Joseph Smith; emphasizes family, temple rituals, no smoking/coffee |
| Almsgiving | – obligatory charitable giving to the poor (Islam) |
| Dervish | – Islamic mystic who attempts to gain ecstasy by dancing (another name for Sufi) |
| Allah | – Islamic name for the one God |
| Elijah Muhammad | – 1897-1975 leader of U.S. Black Muslims, Nation of Islam |
| Anabaptist | – original Baptist churches of the European Reformation; associated with peasant rebellions of the 16th century |
| Bahai | – modern syncretistic religion, originally from Persia; "All denominations lead to the one God." |
| Pentecostal | – 20th century American denomination; emphasizes presence of the Holy Spirit; speaking in tongues |
| Palestine | – geographical area in which ancient and modern Israel have been established; also, a proposed Arab nation in that region |
| William Miller | – 19th century apocalyptic preacher, predicted the second coming in 1844; Adventist, Millerite movement |
| David Koresh | – self-proclaimed second Jesus who led the Waco group of Branch Davidians into a 1993 battle with federal agents |
| Anne Lee | – 18th century founder of Shakers, claimed to be feminine incarnation of Christ |
| Evangelical | – modern born-again Christians who emphasize Bible's authority; proselytizing, Fundamentalist Protestants |
| Jim Jones | – founder of People's Temple, a cult which committed Mass suicide in Guyana in 1978 |
| John Humphrey Noyes | – 19th century founder of Oneida Perfectionists; advocated complex marriage (multiple husbands & wives) |
| Perfectionists | – 19th century Oneida community founded by J.H. Noyes; practiced communism and complex marriage |
| Billy Graham | – 20th century Protestant Evangelical, effective preacher with simple message; salvation by grace |
| Cult | – a small sect with devoted followers; a pejorative term for a new religious movement denomination (especially one which has doctrines or rituals outside the mainstream, or is abusive of followers) |
| L. Ron Hubbard | – 20th century science fiction writer who founded Scientology, Dianetics |
| Charles Taze Russell | – 1852-1916 millenarian preacher, founder of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| Amish | – pacifist Protestant sect committed to living a simple, 19th century life style, found in rural Pennsylvania |
| Ramadan | – month-long Muslim festival involving daytime fasting |
| Mohammed | – 570-632 C.E. Arab founder of Islam, "the prophet" who recited the Qur’an, preached theistic monotheism |
