Living World Religions- Exam 2 Short Answer and Listing Questions

What enabled the spread of Islam?

ability to fill a religious and political void

Abrogation

later relevation trumps an earlier one

Islam's confession of faith

"There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is His prophet."

Comparison of self-denial in Hinduism v. Christianity

Main plot line, conflict, and characters of Bhagavad-Gita

Arjuna was a member of the nobleman-warrior caste who did not want to kill relatives that opposed him in battle. His chariot driver, Krishna, convinced him of the need to fulfill his duty. Arjuna listened to Krishna, who was later revealed to be an avatar of Vishnu, and annihilated his relatives with his bow.

Brahman-Atman concept

Brahman is an impersonal essence that each individual soul (atman) strives to achieve oneness with....

5 Pillars of Islam and brief descriptions

-Recite confession of faith throughout the day

-Pray 5 times daily facing Mecca

-Alms- give 2.5% of income to the poor

-Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca once in your lifetime if you can

-Fast during Ramadan

Why do Muslim extremists hate America and her allies?

-American support of Israel which, in their view, unlawfully invaded and now occupies Palestine, a former Islamic territory.

-America's invasion of Islamic Holy Lands.

-American moral decadence despite its reputation as a "Christian" nation.

Points of Contrast with Muslim Neighbors

-Different understandings of the attributes of God

-Conviction about the divinity of Jesus and his incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection

-Belief about the nature of the Bible v. the Qu'ran

-->Bible was written by humans inspired by God

-->Muslims believe that the Qu'ran was dictated by Gabriel word-for-word

3 main gods in modern Hinduism and brief descriptions

-Shiva- destruction

-Vishnu- sustainer

-Brahma- creator

Points of Contact with Hindu Neighbors

-All-pervasiveness of the Divine

-->We believe that everyone is made in His image

-Spiritual v. material focus

-Principle of reaping and sowing

-->But we don't believe this without grace