信教|しんきょうshinkyou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounreligious belief; faith

• Synonym信仰しんこうNeutralThe most general word for religious faith; 「信教」 typically turns up in legal language, as in 「信教の自由」.
• Synonym信奉しんぽうWrittenBelieving in and revering an ideology or doctrine; 「信教」 is specifically about religion.
• Synonym信心しんじんNeutralA devout heart toward gods or Buddhas, as in 「信心深い」; emphasizes the personal, emotional side of faith.
• Related信条しんじょうWrittenA creed or principle one firmly lives by, not limited to religion; 「信教」 refers only to religion.
• Related信受しんじゅWrittenWritten and rare; accepting and believing in teachings or doctrine, mostly in Buddhist contexts.
• Antonym無信仰むしんこうWrittenNot believing in any religion; the direct opposite of 「信教」.
• Antonym背教はいきょうWrittenRenouncing or turning away from the religion one previously believed; the opposite of 「信教」.

For religious faith in general, use 「信仰」; 「信教」 is the word you will typically meet in legal wording such as 「信教の自由」. 「信条」 and 「信奉」 cover creeds and ideologies beyond religion; 「信心」 stresses personal piety. 「無信仰」 and 「背教」 are the opposites.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 宗教しゅうきょうを信しんじること。