| ☦️ Christianity | 🎭 Paganism |
A religion (thrēscī́a) is a covenant with a god (theós), made by a sacrifice (thysía) upon an altar-table (thysiastḗrion), where then an altar (naós) is made, as the dwelling of the god. This sacrifice is called service (latría). Around the altar, a temple (hierón) is made, where things sacred (hierós) are consecrated, & whoever serves the sacrifice is a priest (hiereús). Further, an elder (presbýteros) is ordained to maintain the religion, who may serve as the priest. If any word—spoken or written—is inspired by the god, it is an oracle (lógion).
Among the gentiles, an idol (ī́dōlon)—i.e. an image within which the spirit of a god resides—is erected in the altar.
According to Christians, the name God (theós) is derived from perceive (theoréo), itself from view (théa) & to see (horáo). But according to the gentiles, the name God is derived from to run (théō, cf. tréchō).
A spirit (pneûma) which is clean Christians call an angel (ángelos), but the unclean is called a dæmon (dǽmōn). Gentiles call any spirit sent by a god a dæmon.
The spirit of a man which has become like the Angels Christians call a saint (ágios). Gentiles call the spirit of a man which has become like the dæmons a demigod or hero (hḗrōs), but is by Christians called a giant (gígas).