-ism, -ismus

The condition of having a schizognathous palate.

1. A theological and philosophical system of learning based on the authority of St. Augustine and other leaders of the early Christian Church, and on the works of Aristotle: Scholasticism strived to bridge the bap between religion and reason.
2. Traditional learning, or adherence to traditional educational methods.

The belief that the theory of creationism; such as, that the universe was created in essentially its present form by a supernatural being or God, and which is supported by scientific evidence as well as by Biblical commentary.

Examples of scientific creationism include the argument that the fossil record does not provide evidence of evolution, nor that modern cosmological theories do not explain the ultimate origin of matter.

1. A belief in the omnipotence of scientific knowledge and techniques: The scientisms include the conviction that the methods of studying are appropriate to physical science and that it can replace those used in other fields; such as, philosophy and; especially, human behavior and the other social sciences.
2. An adherence to or a belief in the objectives and methods of scientists.

1. A pretension of having knowledge or being well informed about something; all of which is really deceiving: Such people as palm readers, clairvoyants, crystal ball experts, and readers of tea leaves are just a few examples of individuals who are considered to be practitioners of sciolisms.
2. Etymology: from Latin sciolus, "having knowledge"; from scire, "to know". © ALL rights are reserved.

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A religion in which ghosts are worshiped instead of gods: The doctrine of sciotheism involves the worship of departed ancestors and the spirits of dead people; especially, those believed to appear in bodily likenesses to living people which are the center of spiritual lives and souls.

Poisoning from a scorpion sting.

Symptoms in mild cases are localized pain, swelling, and redness at the site of the sting. More severe cases show additional skin flushing, muscle fasciculations (twitchings), hyperirratibility, hypertension, and muscle weakness.

Although symptoms usually subside in 15 to 20 hours, severely poisoned people may develop generalized muscle weakness, paralysis, and respiratory distress. Fatalities also have been reported.

Self baptism: "Back in 1606 there was a Christian congregation in England that was pastored by John Smyth. In 1608 this church emigrated to Amsterdam because of religious persecution in England."

"While in Amsterdam, Smyth became convinced that the scriptures require believers' baptism, not infant baptism. Since Smyth had not been baptized in the way he felt was correct, he baptized himself, then baptized the other members of the church he was leading."

A belief or policy in favor of withdrawal from a nation, state, organization, or alliance.

A secession occurs when people in a country or state declare their independence from the ruling government.

When a dissatisfied group secedes, it creates its own form of government in place of the former ruling government. Secessions are serious maneuvers that lead to, or arise from, military conflict.

In psychoanalysis, the psychic energy or intrest which was once attached to external objects, but that is currently withdrawn from those objects and has been reinvested in one's ego.

1. A doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations.
2. A secular spirit or tendency; especially, a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship.
2. The view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.

The fundamental principle of secularism is that, in his whole conduct, man should be guided exclusively by considerations derived from the present life itself. Anything that is above or beyond the present life should be entirely overlooked.

Whether God exists or not, whether the soul is immortal or not, are questions which at best cannot be answered, and on which consequently no motives of action can be based.

The natural activity or group of phenomena associated with earthquakes.

1. Growth in response to moonlight.
2. A tendency to turn towards the moon's rays.