on religious terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on religious terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing agreements, relationships, or interactions that are based on religious beliefs or principles. Example: "The two communities were able to resolve their differences on religious terms, fostering a spirit of cooperation and understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is fair enough, but Thoreau may be going too far when he proclaims that a friend should be approached "with sacred love and awe," and that we profane one another if we do not always meet on religious terms; it is no wonder that he finds himself doubting whether his "idea of a friend" will ever actually be instantiated (Journal, 6/26/40).

SEP

Mr. Huckabee defends himself on religious terms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The website goes on to explain the GNH index with a splatter of religious terms throughout.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Knowledge of religious terms is way down," he said.

The New York Times

One male non-smoker framed his perspective on smoking in religious terms: "people who smoke are people who have not received hidayah [Islamic term meaning enlightenment]." Participants commonly expressed that it was not credible for Muslim leaders to talk negatively about smoking, as many of these leaders themselves smoke.

BMJ Open

Although the immigration authorities admit Jews under ethnic guidelines (ie, the father or mother have to be Jewish), most non-Jewish Germans insist on defining Jewishness in purely religious terms.

The Economist

But lawyers for victims in the case, including several people who work in the cathedral, have cast it entirely in religious terms, seizing on it as an opportunity to defend the church against perceived threats, including the heresy that they say pervades secular society, especially Russia's liberal political opposition.

The New York Times

The party is strongly opposed to any concessions to the Palestinians, and it defines the conflict in the Middle East not just as war for the land, but as a standoff between nations that are hostile to each other in religious terms, views on the world, language and people's aspirations.

BBC

The result of imposing national boundaries on people who define themselves in religious terms is the kind of chaos we have witnessed in Iraq, where Sunni and Shia fight for dominance, or the even greater chaos that we now witness in Syria, where a minority Islamic sect, the Alawites, has maintained a monopoly of social power since the rise of the Assad family.

BBC

On first contact, avoid using familiar religious terms that may offend the target person you are attempting to proselytize.

WikiHow

In taking on same-sex marriage, Mr. Obama made a point of couching his views in religious terms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on religious terms", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific religious doctrines or principles influencing the interaction or agreement to prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "on religious terms" when the context involves cultural traditions loosely associated with a religion but not strictly dictated by its doctrines. Instead, clarify whether the basis is a belief, a tradition or both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on religious terms" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to specify the basis or conditions of an action or agreement. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is used to describe situations where religious beliefs dictate the nature of an interaction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on religious terms" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action, discussion, or agreement is based on religious doctrines. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is grammatically correct but relatively rare in usage. It appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and opinion pieces, with a neutral formality level. When using the phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear that the interaction is specifically defined by established religious tenets. Consider alternative phrasings like "from a religious perspective" or "based on religious beliefs" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from a religious perspective

This phrase focuses on viewing something through the lens of religion, altering the structure but maintaining the core concept.

in religious contexts

It emphasizes the environment or situation, rather than the basis of the interaction itself.

through a religious framework

This alternative stresses the presence of a belief system when interpreting situations.

within religious parameters

This indicates actions or discussions conforming to the limits established by religious doctrine.

based on religious beliefs

This alternative directly highlights the foundation of the viewpoint, rather than the terms or conditions.

using religious discourse

Focuses on the specific type of communication employed.

in a religious light

This alternative focuses on how something is viewed, rather than the specific basis for interaction.

from a faith-based standpoint

Similar to "perspective", but emphasizes the aspect of faith as the origin.

according to religious principles

This version emphasizes the guiding tenets rather than the overall framework.

with religious considerations

Shifts the focus to the act of taking religious aspects into account.

FAQs

How can I use "on religious terms" in a sentence?

You can use "on religious terms" to describe agreements, relationships, or interactions that are primarily based on religious beliefs or principles. For example: "The dispute was resolved "on religious terms", fostering reconciliation between the communities".

What's a good alternative to "on religious terms"?

Alternatives include phrases like "from a religious perspective", "in religious contexts", or "based on religious beliefs", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "on religious grounds" instead of "on religious terms"?

While both relate to religion, "on religious grounds" typically refers to justifications or reasons, whereas "on religious terms" implies conditions or frameworks for interaction. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

How does the meaning of "on religious terms" differ from "in secular terms"?

"On religious terms" signifies interactions or understanding based on religious doctrine, while "in secular terms" means using non-religious, worldly perspectives or standards.