Major World Religions - Mr. Kosiba's Modern World History

Polytheism

The belief in multiple Gods

Monotheism

The belief in one God

Iconography

Artwork of important religious symbols and leaders (AKA icons)

What are some important benefits of religion?

It provides people with moral codes, values, ethics, and rules to live by

It provides people with faith, inspiration, and strength in times of need or struggle

It brings people together and helps build community

How has religion negatively impacted people and societies throughout history?

It has been used by bad people in positions of power to control, take advantage of, oppress, and kill large numbers of innocent people

It has caused many people to believe that their religion makes them superior to other groups of people. The ignorant and arrogant belief causes people to develop false, harmful stereotypes about people of different religious faiths and often leads to violent acts of prejudice and discrimination.

Om

In Hinduism, what is the name of the sacred sound and symbol that embodies the essence of the entire universe? Hindus believe this is the root of all existence and the thing that continues to hold everything in the universe together.

Brahman

The supreme divine power that Hindus believe lives in everything

Vishnu

A Hindu god considered the protector and preserver of the universe

Dharma

The teachings, moral codes, and moral duties that Hindus and Buddhists believe all individuals should live their life by.

Vedas

The name of the ancient Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism.

Brahmins

Hindu religious leaders/priests in charge of reading sacred texts from the Vedas, performing rituals, and taking care of religious icons

Reincarnation

The belief in Hinduism and Buddhism that people are reborn successively into one of five classes of living beings (god or human or animal or hungry ghost or denizen of hell).

Karma

The Hindu and Buddhist belief that a person's actions in this life determines what class of living beings they are reborn into in their next incarnation.

Moksha

The Hindu belief that people continue to be reincarnated until they reach a "perfect understanding" of the universe is known as _____________.

Caste System

The strict social segregation of people-specifically in India's Hindu society-based on ancestry, occupation, and skin color (Varna). People with dark skin (Dasas) considered lower in society than people with light skin)

Untouchables

The group of people that are considered the least valuable and most impure in the Hindu caste system in India (Hint = They are not even included in the "pure" caste).

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism.

Tree of Wisdom

The place where Siddhartha Gautama meditated, achieved enlightenment, and became Buddha

Middle Way

The path between self sacrifice and self-indulgence in the Buddhist religion is known as the __________.

Enlightenment

A Buddhist term that refers to a state of perfect knowledge or wisdom, combined with infinite compassion.

Nirvana

The highest state of enlightenment in Buddhism in which a person achieves union with the universe and is released from the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation)

Yahweh

The Hebrew name for the one and only God in Judaism

Abraham

The founder of Judaism and important prophet in both Christianity and Islam.

Torah

The most sacred text of Judaism

Moses

The prophet who Jews, Christians, and Muslims believed received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai

What made Judaism different than other pagan religious groups that existed when it was founded?

it was monotheistic

What are the 10 Commandments?

a set of moral codes and laws for people to follow

Synagogue

A Jewish house of worship

What are the three major Jewish sects?

Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative

Jesus

The founder of Christianity; believed by Christians to be the Messiah or son of God.

Why did the Christian religion Jesus preached attract so many followers?

It embraced all people—men and women, enslaved persons, the poor, and nobles

It appealed to those who were repelled by the extravagances of imperial Rome

It offered a personal relationship with a loving God and promised eternal life after death

Trinity

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

Bible

The sacred writings of the Christian religions are found in a text called the _______.

Crucifix

This important Christian symbol features a cross with a figure of Jesus on it to remind Christians Jesus died for their sins

Why was Jesus crucified by Roman leaders?

Roman leaders feared Jesus would become so popular and powerful with the poor and oppressed, he would lead a revolution against the Roman government

What are the three major Christian sects?

Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant

The Arabic word for the one and only God in Islam

Allah

Muhammad

Prophet of Allah; founder of Islam.

Quran

The sacred text of Islam. Revealed to the prophet Muhammad by Allah at Mecca and Medina

the Five Pillars of Faith

The name of the essential duties Muslims are expected to fulfill during their lifetime; Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

Imam

A Muslim community leader that conducts the prayers in a mosque.

What is a major difference between the beliefs of Sunni and Shia Muslims?

Shia believe the caliph (Muslim ruler) needed to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad while the Sunni believe that any Muslim could be a ruler as long as they followed the Sunnah (Muhammad's example)

Kaaba

A building at the center of Islam's most sacred mosque, that is Al-Masjid Al-Ḥarām, in Mecca,Saudi Arabia. It is the most sacred site in Islam and an important part of the Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage).

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year celebration during which sweet foods eaten to symbolize the sweet year ahead. It marks the beginning of high holy season and is considered the day that the world was created.

Holi

This holiday is often referred to as the "Festival of Colors" and celebrates the coming of spring with all its beautiful colors and vibrant life. On the morning of this holiday, people throw red powder and water at each other. Red is considered a lucky color.

Christmas

A Christian holiday celebrating the miracle birth of Jesus Christ.

Yom Kippur

On this day, Jewish people believe all humanity is judged: the names of the wicked are inscribed in the Book of the Dead, the virtuous in the Book of Life, and the in-betweens have to wait for the Day of Atonement.

Easter

This holiday is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. For Christians, Jesus' resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death. It is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar because it represents God's promise to humankind that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead.

Diwali

This Hindu festival of lights is meant to lead Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, home and drive out misfortune. This holiday lasts 5 days and occurs in late October or early November.

Ramadan

During this month-long holiday, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. It is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline — of deep contemplation of one's relationship with God, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity, and intense study of the Quran.

Holi

This holiday is associated with a loosening of social restrictions normally associated with caste, sex, status and age. This holiday is viewed as a way to bridge social gaps and bring people together: employees and employers, men and women, rich and poor, young and old.

Eid al-Fitr

Also known as "the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast", this holiday is big three-day celebration where everyone comes together for big meals with family and friends, exchanges presents, and engages in acts of charity.

Diwali

On third day of this religious celebration, followers engage in important rituals like the lighting of Diyas and candles around the house, worshiping the Laxmi Ganesha to summon health and wealth, and bursting of firecrackers

Sangha Day

On this holiday people gather at temples and bring offerings of food + other items for monks & nuns. It is customary for people to walk around a temple 3 times, once for each of the Three Jewels - The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Vesak

Also known as "Buddha's Birthday", this holiday commemorates the birth, enlightenment , and death of Gautama Buddha.

What is shown in this piece of religious iconography?

Om, also spelled Aum (Hinduism)

What is shown in this piece of religious iconography?

The Tree of Wisdom, where Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha (Buddhism)

What is shown in this piece of religious iconography?

Moses receiving the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)

What is shown in this piece of religious iconography?

The Holy Trinity (Christianity)

What is shown in this piece of religious iconography?

The Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam.