Glossary

Ashoka’s Dilemma:  An empire that relies on the most modern weapons is the best way  to keep peace.  (ARMSTRONG, 71)

Eschatology:  The part of theology concerned with death, judgment, heaven and hell.

Establishment Clause: government cannot prefer or use tax revenues to support or participate in the affairs of any religious institution.

Free Exercise Clause: government cannot pressure individuals to forego a religious practice unless there is a compelling state interest and the burden is narrowly tailored.

History:   Stories of the past recited to shape present reality.   Secular historians hope that past mistakes will not be repeated.

Horse feathers:   nonsense, balderdash

Irenic:  Use of reason to support pacifism and religious conciliation among Christians.

Irredentism:  reclaiming or re-occupying land based on ethnic or historic connections, often religious.

Laicite:

“nation”

“religion:”

“secularism”

Sufism:  the inner or esoteric version of Islam.  Often ascetic, mystical and non-violent.

Syncretism: merger of several discrete traditions to find an underlying unity of belief and practice.