religion exam multiple choice terms

Monotheistic

Belief in one god.

Polytheistic

Belief in more than one god.

Syncretism

The fusion of various religious forms and views.

Samsara

The endless cycle of rebirths.

Dharma

Religious or moral duty.

Karma

The totality of one's actions, affecting one's next life.

Moksha

Liberation from the cycle of rebirth; the ultimate goal in Hinduism.

Reincarnation

The belief that the atman (soul) lives on after death and takes on a new body.

Brahma

The deity creator of the universe, part of the holy trinity in Hinduism.

Vishnu

A deity who is considered the preserver of the universe.

Shiva

A deity who is considered the destroyer and restorer of the universe.

Trimurti

Hindu concept uniting Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Puja

The act of worship and offering to deities.

Yoga

A practice combining philosophy, physical exercises, and meditation.

Brahman

The universal soul and supreme being in Hinduism.

Path to salvation/moksha

Includes selfless actions (Karma-yoga), knowledge (Jnana-yoga), and devotion (Bhakti-yoga).

Abraham

Considered the father of the Jewish people; made a covenant with God.

Moses

Led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Torah.

Kosher

The requirements of the Jewish dietary laws.

Kashrut

Set of Jewish dietary laws.

Hanukkah

Celebrates the Maccabean revolt and rededication of the temple.

The Great Schism

The division of Christianity into Roman Catholic by Pope and Eastern Orthodox Churches by patriarchs.

Pentecost

Commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

Ramadan

A month of fasting from dawn until sunset for Muslims.

Qur’an

The holy book of Islam, containing the words of Allah as revealed to Muhammad.

Hadith

A collection of narratives about the Prophet Muhammad.

5 Pillars of Islam

Essential acts of worship in Islam including Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj.

Islams

Believers in Islam; followers of Muhammad. meaning submission

Shahadah

The Muslim declaration of faith.

Sunni

Sect of Islam that follows the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Shia

Sect of Islam that believes leadership should stay within Muhammad's descendants.

Imam

A cleric who leads prayers in a mosque.

Martin Luther

Initiated the Protestant Reformation by challenging Catholic Church practices.

Hasidic

A mystical and ultra-Orthodox movement. they Emphasize joy, prayer, and devotion to God, often under leadership of a Rebbe.

Zionist Jews

Support the return to and development of the land of Israel as a Jewish homeland. Can belong to any denomination.

Prophet

A person chosen by God to deliver messages to the people 

Jewish Commandments

613

Destruction of Second Temple

70 CE by Romans

Tanakh

the jewish bible consisting of the torah, the prophets and the writings.

Creed

 a philosophy or set of beliefs

Jesus’ Crucifixion and Rising

Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Pentecost/Birthday of the Church

festival commemorating the descent of the holy spirit upon the apostles to help them spread christianity

Baptism

removes original sin and initiation into the church

Synoptic Gospels

matthew, mark and luke

Roman Persecution of Christians

Early Christians were punished by the Romans for not worshipping Roman gods. Many were killed for their beliefs for 300 years

Emperor Constantine

First Roman emperor to become Christian. In 313 CE, he made Christianity legal and founded Constantinople

The Crusades

A series of religious wars where Christians tried to take back the Holy Land from Muslims.

Kaba

 the most sacred structure, towards which Muslims pray.

Mecca

place of pilgrimage, location of the foundation of islamic faith, location of the Kaba.

Founder of Islam

muhammad

Shahadah

statement of faith

Salat

5x a day prayer

Zakat

2.5% donation of wealth

Sawm

fasting

Hajj

mandatory pilgrimage to mecca

sunni

follow prophets teachings from mohammed (sunnah), leadership (succesor of mohammed) is chosen not passed down.

Shia

believe that leadership should stay in descendants line -> follows the 12 imams, smaller sect of the two

Imam

cleric, ​​the person who leads prayers in a mosque.

Reform Judaism

the torah is written by humans.

laws and traditions are not strictly followed. synagogues are not segregated, women are allowed to divorce, there are different rituals, kosher isn’t always observed

Orthodox Judaism

the torah is from heaven.

strictly follows jewish law and traditions like the sabbath, hebrew services, gender roles, and kosher food.

Similarities between orthodox and reform

All believe in one God (monotheism).

All view the Torah as sacred.

Celebrate major Jewish holidays like Passover and Yom Kippur.

Value community, prayer, and ethical living.

10 Commandments

Divine laws/rules given by God to guide behavior.

Similarities between 5 pillars and beatitudes

Both religions are monotheistic and believe in the same God.

Guides followers on how to live a good and righteous life.

Emphasize prayer, respect for God, and moral behavior.

Hindu Trimurti

Brahman is Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer).

polytheism since they are different beings but represent brahman

Holy Trinity

One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

monotheism since they are all one

Similarities between trimurti and trinity

trinity of three beings that exist as one.

Emphasize creation, preservation, and salvation.

They represent core beliefs in their respective religions.

Symbolizes unity

Stage 1 Christianity

Jesus and his apostles spread His word through letters, sermons, preaching, and starting churches

Stage 2 Christianity

As Christianity was gaining popularity, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity and it was soon the official religion.

Stage 3 Christianity

Colonialism and missionaries spread across the world to asia, africa, and the americas.