World Religions and Traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and New Religious Movements

Comprehensive question-and-answer flashcards reviewing key concepts, history, scriptures, and practices across Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and New Religious Movements.

What is Neopaganism?

Modern religious movements inspired by ancient, often nature-based religions.

What is the recovery of primordial religion?

The effort to recover ancient or original spiritual traditions and humanity's connection to nature and the sacred.

In Scientology, what is a thetan?

The immortal spiritual being or true spiritual self of a person.

What is auditing in Scientology?

A counseling-like Scientology practice intended to help people identify and overcome spiritual or mental barriers.

What characterizes Orthodox Judaism?

A branch of Judaism that closely follows traditional Jewish law and practices.

What characterizes Conservative Judaism?

A branch of Judaism that preserves Jewish tradition while allowing some changes over time.

What characterizes Reform Judaism?

A branch of Judaism that emphasizes adapting Jewish beliefs and practices to modern life.

What is Yom Kippur?

The Day of Atonement; a holy day focused on fasting, repentance, and forgiveness.

Which holidays constitute the Jewish High Holy Days?

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

What is the Tanakh?

The Jewish Bible, consisting of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

What is the Torah?

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible; central to Jewish teaching and law.

What is the Mishnah?

An early written collection of Jewish oral laws and teachings.

What is the Talmud?

A collection of rabbinic discussions and interpretations of Jewish law, including the Mishnah and Gemara.

What is sitting shiva?

A traditional seven-day Jewish mourning period after the death of a close family member.

What was the Babylonian exile and when did it begin?

The period when Babylonians conquered Judah and deported many Jewish people, beginning in 586 BCE.

What was the significance of the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE?

The Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, changing Jewish religious life.

What is Rabbinic Judaism centered on?

Rabbis, Jewish law, Scripture, prayer, and synagogue worship.

What is a mitzvah?

A Jewish commandment or religious obligation; plural is mitzvot.

What is Kabbalah?

Jewish mysticism exploring God, creation, and spiritual reality.

What is the Exodus?

The biblical story of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

What is a bar mitzvah?

A Jewish coming-of-age milestone when a boy traditionally takes on religious responsibilities at age 13.

What is a bat mitzvah?

A Jewish coming-of-age milestone when a girl traditionally takes on religious responsibilities at age 12.

What role do bishops serve in Christianity?

Senior Christian leaders who oversee clergy and congregations in a region.

What is apostolic succession?

The belief that church authority has passed down from the apostles through successive generations of church leaders.

What are the Four Gospels?

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; accounts of Jesus's life, teachings, death, and resurrection.

What characterizes Catholic Christianity?

A Christian tradition that recognizes the Pope's authority and emphasizes Scripture, tradition, and sacraments.

What characterizes Protestant Christianity?

Christian traditions that emerged from the Reformation; many emphasize Scripture and salvation through faith.

What characterizes Eastern Orthodox Christianity?

A Christian tradition emphasizing ancient practices, liturgy, and bishops, without recognizing the Pope as supreme authority.

What is the Nicene Creed?

A statement of Christian belief developed in the fourth century that affirms Jesus's divinity and the Trinity.

What did the Definition of Chalcedon affirm in 451 CE?

That Jesus is one person with two natures, fully divine and fully human.

What does the concept of the historical Jesus refer to?

Jesus as a historical person who lived in first-century Judea.

What is the Christian belief concerning Jesus as Messiah?

The Christian belief that Jesus is the promised savior or anointed one.

What does the Christian belief in Jesus as God incarnate state?

The Christian belief that God became human in Jesus.

What is the Christian doctrine of the Trinity?

The Christian belief in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

What is Christian baptism?

A Christian ritual using water that symbolizes cleansing, new life, and entry into the Christian community.

What is the Eucharist?

Also called Communion; a ritual involving bread and wine associated with Jesus's Last Supper.

What key developments occurred in fourth-century Christianity?

Christianity gained imperial support under Constantine, and church councils clarified teachings about Jesus and the Trinity.

What is the Incarnation in Christian theology?

The Christian belief that God the Son became human in Jesus Christ.

What was the significance of the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE?

A council held in 325 CE that addressed disputes about Jesus's divinity and produced an early form of the Nicene Creed.

Who were the Abbasids?

A Muslim dynasty that ruled much of the Islamic world from 750 to 1258 CE; Baghdad became a major center of learning.

Who were the Umayyads?

The first major hereditary Islamic caliphate, ruling from 661 to 750 CE, with its capital in Damascus.

What is Sunni Islam?

The largest branch of Islam; recognizes Abu Bakr as the first successor to Muhammad.

What is Shia Islam?

A branch of Islam that holds that leadership after Muhammad should have remained within his family, beginning with Ali.

When and where is Muhammad's birth traditionally dated?

Traditionally dated to around 570 CE in Mecca.

What occurred during Muhammad's first revelation in 610 CE?

Muslims believe the angel Gabriel delivered God's revelation to Muhammad.

What was the Hijra?

Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

When did Muhammad return to Mecca with his followers?

In 630 CE.

When and where did Muhammad die?

Muhammad died in Medina in 632 CE.

What is the Hajj?

The pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are expected to perform once if physically and financially able.

With what event does the Islamic calendar begin?

The Islamic calendar begins with the year of the Hijra, Muhammad's migration to Medina in 622 CE.

What topics are discussed in Surah 76: Al-Insan?

Human creation, moral choices, and the rewards of the righteous.

What is Ramadan and how is it observed?

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and focus on worship and charity.

What are the Six articles of faith in Sunni Islam?

Belief in God, angels, revealed books, prophets, the Last Day, and divine decree.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (Ramadan fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

What is shirk in Islam?

Associating partners with God or treating something else as divine; considered a major sin in Islam.

What is the Shahada?

The declaration that there is no god but God and Muhammad is God's messenger.

What are Hadith?

Reports about Muhammad's words, actions, and approvals, used to understand Islamic teachings and practices.

What is the Quran?

Islam's holy book, believed by Muslims to be God's revelation to Muhammad.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

The festival celebrating the end of Ramadan.

What is Eid al-Adha?

The Festival of Sacrifice, associated with Abraham's devotion to God and the Hajj season.

How is Adam regarded in Islam?

Regarded as the first human and a prophet of God.

What is Sufism?

A mystical tradition within Islam emphasizing closeness to God and inner spiritual development.

Who was Ali in Islamic tradition?

Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law; the fourth Sunni caliph and the first Imam in Shia Islam.

Who was W. D. Fard?

Founder of the Nation of Islam in the United States in 1930; its teachings differ from mainstream Sunni and Shia Islam.

What is Surah 1: Al-Fatiha?

The opening chapter of the Quran, praising God and asking for guidance along the straight path.