Glossary

This glossary has been written to encourage debate and discussion.

It has been written from a Scottish perspective. This means terms used within Scotland may not have equivalent meaning when transferred to another part of the world. It has also to be remembered that terms are evolving and developing all the time and what is offered here reflects the discussions as it stands when this was written in June 2004.

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Glossary of terms
Paganism	Paganism describes a group of contemporary religions based on a reverence for nature. Most Pagans share an ecological vision and involvement that comes from the Pagan belief in the organic vitality and spirituality of the natural world. Paganism encompasses a diverse community with some groups concentrating on specific traditions, practices or elements such as ecology, witchcraft,Celtic traditions or certain gods. Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, Sacred Ecologists, Odinists and Heathens all make up parts of the Pagan community.
Pantheism	Pantheist (pan=all; theos=god) is a term for someone who believes that everything is God. Pantheism believes that the universe and nature are divine, meaning that they deserve a religious reverence. Understanding them, appreciating their beauty, and preserving nature, should be the central focus of our lives. People who subscribe to this belief are known as pantheists.
Pluralism	Pluralism is the term used for any system - usually political or social - that actively allows for a multiplicity of opinions, views, and perspectives.
Polytheism	Polytheism is the belief in and worship of many gods. It contrasts with Monotheism, belief in one god, and Pantheism, identification of God with the universe.
Positive action	The Race Relations Act sets out measures that employers may lawfully take to provide access to facilities to meet special needs in relation to education and training or welfare or to train and encourage people from particular racial group that is under-represented in particular work. The aim of positive action is to ensure that people who may not have fully realised their potential due to past discrimination or disadvantages, can compete on equal terms with other applicants for work in which they have been underrepresented or absent.
Positive discrimination	Treating someone differently to his or her benefit but to the detriment of another. This is illegal in Britain.
Prejudice	Literally means to ' pre-judge '. That is to form an opinion before knowing the facts of a situation. Ignorance is a factor in causing prejudice. Prejudice, like the word 'bias' can be either negative or positive. It is possible to be prejudiced in favour of someone or prejudiced against someone. Religious prejudice under Scottish Law is defined by the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 section 74. Under that Act, the term is defined as 'malice and ill-will based on the victim's membership (or presumed membership of a religious group, or of a social or cultural group with a perceived religious affiliation)'.