creed (krd) 
  n. 

         1.A formal statement of religious belief; a confession of faith. 
         2.A system of belief, principles, or opinions: laws banning discrimination on the basis of
            race or creed; an architectural creed that demanded simple lines. 


  [Middle English crede, from Old English crda, from Latin crd, I believe; see credo.] 

  creedal (krdl) adj.