Ethnic and Religious Groups

These flashcards cover essential concepts, facts, and details regarding ethnic and religious groups as studied in the Unit 2 Test.

What is the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group?

An ethnic group share a common culture and identified by race, religion or national origin; religious groups are defined by shared beliefs, practices, and values related to faith or spiritual life.

List three characteristics that ethnic groups share.

Culture, history, and language.

What are examples of religious groups mentioned in the notes?

Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Shinto, Islam, Judaism.

Which three religions started in Middle East ?

Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

What percentage of people in the Middle East practice Islam?

90%.

What is the common ancestor all three religions trace their roots to?

Abraham.

What do Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all believe in?

They all believe in one God.

What do followers of Judaism call themselves?

Jews.

Who founded Judaism according to the notes?

Abraham

What is the holy book of Judaism?

Torah.

What significant event did Moses lead the Israelites out of?

Slavery in Egypt

What are the Ten Commandments?

They are a moral law to live by in Judaism.

What is the name of the remaining part of the temple destroyed in 70 CE?

Western Wall.

What term describes the spreading out of the Jewish people around the world?

Diaspora.

In what year did Jewish people return to their homeland called the State of Israel?

1948.

How many followers of Judaism are there worldwide?

Approximately 15 million.

What is the place of worship for Jews?

Synagogue.

Who is the religious leader in Judaism?

Rabbi.

Name one important Jewish holiday and its significance.

Passover; celebrates the Exodus from Egypt.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

The Jewish New Year.

What is Yom Kippur?

Day of atonement, no work allowed, no food. Do not eat!

What religion has its roots in Judaism?

Christianity.

Who founded Christianity?

Jesus.

What stories are used in Jesus' teachings?

Parables.

What do followers of Christianity call themselves?

Christians.

How many followers of Christianity are there worldwide?

Approximately 2.1 billion.

What is the place of worship for Christians?

Church.

Who is the religious leader in Christianity?

Minister.

What is the holy book of Christianity?

Bible.

What are the two parts of the Bible?

Old Testament and New Testament.

Name one important Christian holiday and its significance.

Christmas; celebrates the birth of Jesus.

What does Good Friday commemorate?

The Day of Jesus' crucifixion.

What is Easter?

Celebration of Jesus' resurrection.

Who founded Islam?

Muhammad.

What is the holy book of Islam?

Qur'an.

What area accepted Muhammad's teachings and spread Islam?

Arabian Peninsula.

How many followers of Islam are there worldwide?

Approximately 1.2 billion.

What is the name of the obligations Muslims must fulfill during their lifetime?

Five Pillars of Faith.

What is the place of worship for Muslims?

Mosque.

Who is the religious leader in Islam?

Imam.

What is the name of the holy trip to Mecca Muslims must undertake at least once in their lifetime?

Hajj.

What is the Muslim holiday commemorating the revelation to Muhammad?

Ramadan.

What is the religious law followed by Muslim governments?

Sharia.

What type of government is ruled by religious leaders?

Theocracy.

Name the two groups Islam is broken into.

Shia and Sunni.

What is one difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims?

Shia believe the ruler must be related to Muhammad; Sunni do not.

Which ethnic group do the majority of people living in the Middle East belong to?

Arabs.

What is an ethnic group?

A group that can't be merely defined by familial connections, includes cultural practices, language, and shared history.

What characterizes a religious group?

A group characterized by a set of rituals, sacred texts, and belief systems concerning God or gods.

What is the major religion in Southwest Asia, and what percentage of the population practices it?

Islam, practiced by 90% of the population.

What is the percentage of Christians in Southwest Asia?

4% of the population.

What is the percentage of Jews in Southwest Asia?

2% of the population.

What are the similarities among Islam, Christianity, and Judaism?

All believe in one God, trace roots to Abraham, feature a messenger and holy book, and started in the Middle East.

Who are the followers of Judaism?

Jews.

Who founded Judaism?

Abraham.

What is the Holy Book of Judaism?

Torah.

Who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments?

Moses.

What are the Ten Commandments?

A moral code to live by in Judaism, considered the moral law.

What is the Western Wall?

The remaining part of the temple, destroyed in 70 CE, significant to Judaism.

What term refers to the Jewish people's dispersion?

Diaspora.

When did Jewish people return to their homeland, now called the State of Israel?

1948.

What is the place of worship for Jews?

Synagogue.

Who is the religious leader in Judaism?

Rabbi.

What Jewish holiday celebrates the Exodus from Egypt?

Passover.

What Jewish holiday commemorates the miracle of the Temple light lasting 8 days?

Hanukkah.

What Jewish holiday celebrates the Jewish New Year?

Rosh Hashanah.

What Jewish holiday is known as the Day of Atonement, a day of fasting and no work?

Yom Kippur.

What are the roots of Christianity?

Judaism.

Who founded Christianity?

Jesus.

What are parables in Christianity?

Stories that convey moral lessons, key teachings of Jesus.

Who are the followers of Christianity?

Christians.

What is the place of worship for Christians?

Church.

Who is the religious leader in Christianity?

Minister.

What is the Holy Book of Christianity, and how is it divided?

The Bible, divided into the Old Testament and New Testament.

What Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus?

Christmas.

What Christian holiday observes the crucifixion of Jesus?

Good Friday.

What Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus?

Easter.

Who are the followers of Islam?

Muslims.

Who founded Islam?

Muhammad.

What is the Holy Book of Islam?

Qur'an.

What region is primarily associated with the spread of Islamic teachings?

The Arabian Peninsula through military conquests.

What is the place of worship for Muslims?

Mosque.

Who is the religious leader in Islam?

Imam.

What are the obligations required from Muslims during their life?

The Five Pillars of Faith.

What is Hajj?

A trip to Mecca that Muslims must complete at least once in their lifetime.

What is Sharia?

Lawful guidance both in personal and communal aspects of life in Islam; religious law that Muslim governments follow.

What type of government do religious leaders control?

Theocracy.

Why is Ramadan celebrated?

For when Muhammad received the Qur'an.

What do Shia Muslims believe regarding their ruler?

Shia Muslims believe that the ruler must be a descendant of Muhammad (approximately 10% of Muslims).

What do Sunni Muslims believe regarding their ruler?

Sunni Muslims believe that the ruler does not need to be directly related to Muhammad (approximately 90% of Muslims).

Describe the Arab ethnic group.

Key ethnic group; located in most of the Middle East; predominant religion Islam (mainly Sunni); language Arabic; believe they are direct descendants of Abraham through Ishmael.

Describe the Persian ethnic group.

Key ethnic group mainly in Iran; predominant religion Islam (mostly Shia); language Farsi.

Describe the Kurdish ethnic group.

Key ethnic group residing in Turkey and Syria; predominant religion Islam (predominantly Sunni); language Kurdish; tend to be less strict about Islamic practices; largest ethnic group in the world without their own country.

Which ethnic group constitutes the majority of people living in the Middle East?

The Arab ethnic group.