(Latin: natura, nature)
A viewpoint in philosophy and theology insisting exclusively on the natural as distinguished from the transcendent and the supernatural. This may be restricted to physical nature, denying the supra-sensual and the spiritual; as such it is equivalent to materialism; to nature in the pantheistic, monistic sense, hence denying distinct First Cause; or finally to nature in the deistic sense of created reality, denying any intervention of the First Cause, whether providential or supernatural. In each sense it has a wide application in every field of knowledge; as a result it has been condemned by several popes, especially Pope Pius IX, in the Vatican Council.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More