scriptures
Holy texts collectively
Scriptures are sacred or authoritative writings, especially religious texts considered divinely inspired.
The term applies broadly to holy books across traditions: Buddhist scriptures, Hindu scriptures.
In Christian contexts without a capital, scriptures often refers to biblical passages generally: The scriptures teach forgiveness. (Capitalized Scriptures typically refers specifically to the Bible.)
Islam's central scripture
- TorahJudaism's core scripture
- VedasHindu canonical texts
- GitaSacred Hindu philosophical poem
- UpanishadsVedic philosophical scriptures
Tanakh · Talmud · Sutras · Hadith · Book of Mormon
Transmitted knowledge or principles
- preceptsRules of conduct
- proverbsTraditional wisdom capsules
- parablesDidactic allegorical tales
- versesLines of poetry
passages · chapters · sayings · maxims · aphorisms · contemplation
Rhythmic repetitive vocalization
- recitationOral delivery from memory
- readingInterpreting written text
- prayerAddress to deity
- venerationProfound admiring respect
Quran
Islam's central scripture
Upanishads · Tanakh · Talmud · Sutras · Hadith · Book of Mormon
teachings
Transmitted knowledge or principles
verses · passages · chapters · sayings · maxims · aphorisms · contemplation
chanting
Rhythmic repetitive vocalization
- recitationOral delivery from memory
- readingInterpreting written text
- prayerAddress to deity
- MormonismBook of Mormon, Joseph Smith, Latter-day Saints, priesthood, Latter-day Saint
- Buddhist HistoryBuddha, Mahayana, Theravada, councils, stupas
- Buddhist monasteriesabbots, lamas, monastery life, monastic life, monastic vows
- early churchapostles, early church, Church Fathers, apostolic fathers, Acts of the Apostles
- Japanese BuddhismBuddha, Zen Buddhism, Buddhist temples, Buddhist monks, Buddhist nuns
- People of the BookJews, Christians, People of the Book, Bible, Abraham
scripturessciences
Organized bodies of knowledge
science · empirical evidence · reason · scientific method · data
scripturespulp fiction
Sensational cheap literature
tabloids · popular fiction · entertainment · newspapers · novels
scripturesdoubt
Lack of firm belief
skepticism · disbelief · questioning · freethought · agnosticism
- Christian scriptureReligious text of Christianity
- holy scriptureReligious text from deity
- religious scriptureSacred canonical writings
- ancient scripturesOld religious texts
- scripture readingOral delivery of religious text
- sacred scriptureRevered religious text