Piety
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In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue. While different people may understand its meaning differently, it is generally used to refer either to religious devotion or to spirituality, or often, to a combination of both.
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[edit] Etymology
The word piety comes from the Latin word pietas, the noun form of the adjective puis, which meant "devout" or "good".
[edit] The spiritual aspect of piety
In the spiritual sense, piety is difficult to define. Some have described it as a desire and willingness to work toward spiritual goals through one's actions in this world. Others have described it as a "right" relationship with God or gods. It has been variously defined by still others.
Spiritual piety results in external signs, or indicators, of that piety. However, different people disagree as to what these signs may be. Depending on one's religious affiliation (or lack thereof), one might list such various signs as humility before God or the gods, observance of rituals or religious duties, good deeds, or devotion. I
[edit] The religious aspect of piety
In the religious sense, it is often used to refer to one of two things:
It can refer to a way to win the favor or forgiveness of one's God, or gods, (i.e., to propitiate Him/them). According to some, this type of piety does not nessecarily require the spiritual piety, while others refrain from distinguishing the two.
It is also used by others to refer only to the external signs that result from the spiritual aspect of piety. That is, according to some, if one is "truly" pious (in the spiritual sense), the natural and inevitable result of it will be this religious piety. By this definition, then, piety can be either genuine, in that it springs from spiritual piety, or false, in that it is an attempt to exhibit the signs of piety for their own sake, or for some other reason, (such as propitiation or public esteem).
[edit] Religious movements
Pietism as a movement within Lutheranism was strong from the late-17th century to the mid-18th century.
[edit] See also
- Plato's dialogue Euthyphro, in which Socrates seeks a definition of piety.
- pietas, the Roman virute
- filial piety, a Confucian and Buddhist virtue
- Puritan
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