The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (76 page)
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Authors: John Bowker
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Agnosticism
(Gk.,
a
+
gn
stos
, ‘not know’). A position distinguished from
theism
and
atheism
equally, by its view that neither in principle nor in fact is it possible to know God's nature or even whether he exists. In its broadest sense, agnosticism is compatible with deep religious commitment, as in the case of
Nicholas of Cusa
or of Henry Mansel (1820–71); in its narrower and more specific sense, however, it normally implies a certain detachment in matters religious. The term itself was coined by T. H. Huxley (1825–95), who defined its basic principles as repudiation of all metaphysical speculation and of most Christian doctrine as unproven or unprovable, and the application of scientific method to the study of all matters of fact and experience.
a
+
gn
stos, ‘not know’). A position distinguished from
theism
and
atheism
equally, by its view that neither in principle nor in fact is it possible to know God's nature or even whether he exists. In its broadest sense, agnosticism is compatible with deep religious commitment, as in the case of
Nicholas of Cusa
or of Henry Mansel (1820–71); in its narrower and more specific sense, however, it normally implies a certain detachment in matters religious. The term itself was coined by T. H. Huxley (1825–95), who defined its basic principles as repudiation of all metaphysical speculation and of most Christian doctrine as unproven or unprovable, and the application of scientific method to the study of all matters of fact and experience.
Agnus Dei
(Lat., ‘Lamb of God’). The hymn derived from John 1. 29 sung or said during or after the breaking of the bread at
communion
in W. churches.
communion
in W. churches.
Agon[-gy
]
:
]:
GAMAAgonshu
.
.
Japanese
new religion
. It was founded by Kiriyama Seiyu (Tsutsumi Masao, b. 1921), being given its present name in 1978. It is based on the
Agama
(Jap.,
agon
) sutras and on belief in enlightenment in this life. It has developed fire rituals and a
hoshi matsuri
(Star Festival) at its base in
Kyoto
that attract huge crowds. It numbers about 300,000 members.
new religion
. It was founded by Kiriyama Seiyu (Tsutsumi Masao, b. 1921), being given its present name in 1978. It is based on the
Agama
(Jap.,
agon
) sutras and on belief in enlightenment in this life. It has developed fire rituals and a
hoshi matsuri
(Star Festival) at its base in
Kyoto
that attract huge crowds. It numbers about 300,000 members.
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