Module 3 -- Humanities Test #1

Covenant

A promise between two parties.

Monotheism

Belief in one God.

The Shema

Jewish prayer affirming belief in God.

Diaspora

Spreading of a people from their original homeland.

Messiah

Hebrew term meaning 'Anointed One', equivalent to Christos in Greek.

Emperor Constantine

Roman Emperor who sought to unify beliefs among Christians to unify his empire.

Council of Nicea

325 CE meeting called by Constantine to debate the nature of God.

Nicene Creed

Statement of faith produced by the Council of Nicea affirming belief in the Trinity.

Hijra

622 CE migration of Muhammad and his followers to Medina, marking the start of the Muslim calendar.

5 Pillars of Islamic Faith

Fundamental acts of worship in Islam: Shahadah, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.

Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, considered the eternal word of God.

Nirvana

State of bliss achievable by overcoming desires for material things.

Dhammapada

The most popular canonical text of Buddhism containing sayings attributed to the Buddha.

Ashoka

Emperor who promoted Buddhism and non-violence after witnessing the aftermath of battle.

Mandala

A symbolic representation of the universe used in Buddhist meditation.

Tefillin/Phylacteries

Tiny black boxes containing the Shema, worn during prayer.

Mezuzah

Brass rectangle with the words of the Shema attached to a doorpost.

Sunni

Largest branch of Islam, believing leaders should be chosen from the faithful.

Shia

Branch of Islam believing only direct descendants of Muhammad should rule.

Jihad

Struggle within oneself for goodness or to expand Islam.

Rich Young Man's Commandment

Jesus taught that the rich must share wealth with the poor for eternal life.

Constantinople

City renamed by Emperor Constantine, previously known as Byzantium.

Schism of 1054

The split of the Christian church due to doctrinal disagreements between East and West.