World Religions

Islam

the religion of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah.

Monotheistic

Belief in one god

Polytheistic

Belief in many gods

Animistic

the belief that inanimate objects, such as hills, trees, rocks, rivers, and other elements of natural landscape, possess souls and can help or hinder human efforts on Earth

Christianity

A monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior.

Judaism

the monotheistic religion of the Jews

Hinduism

A religion native to India, featuring belief in many gods and reincarnation

Buddhism

Belief system that started in India in the 500s BC. Happiness can be achieved through removal of one's desires. Believers seek enlightenment and the overcoming of suffering.

Yarmulke

a skullcap worn by Jews (especially at prayer)

Star of David

International symbol of Judaism

Menorah

In the Jewish faith, it is a symbol of the nation of Israel and its mission to be a light to the nations

Sabbath

a day of rest from work kept by Jews from Friday evening to Saturday evening

The Torah

the holy book of Judaism

Jerusalem

A city regarded as being holy by Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

Kosher

The term used for food allowed under Jewish dietary laws

The Western Wall

The only part of the Second Jewish Temple that remains today. People go there to pray

Halal

The term used for food allowed under Islamic dietary laws

Virgin Mary

The mother of Jesus

Jesus

A Jew from Galilee in northern Israel. A teacher and prophet whose life and teachings form the basis of Christianity. Christians believe Jesus to be Son of God.

The Trinity

God is three divine persons in one (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) -Christianity

The Old Testament

First half of the Bible - 5 books of Moses, the Torah

The New Testament

Second half of the Bible -features the Gospels (story of Jesus)

The Bible

Christianity's holy book/sacred writings

Baptism

sprinkling or immersion in water as a symbol of being pure and starting a new life in the Christian Church

Crucifixion

A type of execution in which a person was nailed to a cross - how Jesus was killed by the Romans

Resurrection

in Christian belief, Jesus's rise from the dead

Christian Holidays

Advent and Easter

Catholicism

a branch of Christianity -900 million followers

Protestantism

a major group broadly defined as Christianity, which originated from the Reformation and protested and separated from the Roman Catholic Church

Orthodox Church

A branch of Christianity that dates to the Byzantine empire

Parable

A simple story used to tell a moral or spiritual lesson

The Cross

Symbol associated with Christianity and salvation. Christians believe Jesus died on a cross so that humanity's sins could be forgiven.

Muslim

a believer or follower of Islam

Allah

God of Islam

The Meaning of the word "Islam"

Surrendering to the will of God

The Middle East

the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

The Prophet Muhummad

Founder of Islam, received prophecy from an angel. Muslims do not believe he is a god

Mosque

A Muslim place of worship

Minaret

the tower attached to a mosque that issues the calls to prayer

Qu'ran

The holy book of Islam. Written in Arabic

Five Pillars of Islam

Declaration of faith, prayer 5x a day, charity, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Mecca

Holy city of Islam

Hijab

A head covering worn in public by some Muslim women.

India

What is the Cultural Hearth of Hinduism?

Brahma

the creator god of Hinduism

Vishnu

a Hindu god considered the preserver of the world

Shiva

A Hindu god considered the destroyer of the world.

Reincarnation

Hindu and Buddhist belief that souls are reborn into new bodies over and over (could be plant, animal, human)

Samsara

the cycle of life and rebirth in Hinduism

Moksha

freedom from the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism

Karma

Belief in Hinduism that your next life will depend on your good or bad deeds in this life.

Karma

Sanskrit for "work", "deed," or "action"

Dharma

In Hindu belief, a person's religious and moral duties

The Vedas

Hinduism's oldest religious texts

Guru

religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism

Vegetarian

Hindus mostly eat plant based foods so as not to harm any animals

Caste System

A Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life - 1) priests, 2) warriors/rulers, 3) merchants/teachers, 4) servants, 5) Untouchables (beggars)

Diwali

Hindu festival of lights

Ganges River

holiest river to Hindus. They believe bathing in this river will wash away their sins

The one religion with no personal god

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama

Founder of Buddhism

-embraced "middle way"

Nirvana

In Buddhism, the ultimate state of being where there is no pain, desire, or selfishness

-final goal of Buddhism

The Four Noble Truths

According to Buddha, four principles for living that lead to nirvana/ peace

The First Noble Truth

Life is full of suffering/pain

The Second Noble Truth

Desire causes suffering.

The Third Noble Truth

To avoid suffering one must avoid desire (stop wanting things, being self-centered)

The Fourth Noble Truth

The way to attain Nirvana is the Eightfold Path

Shrine

Buddhist place of worship (candles, incense, Buddha statue)

Mantra

a commonly repeated word or phrase for prayer in Buddhism (hymn/slogan)

Prayer Wheel

In Buddhism a cylinder with prayers on it, may be used as a substitute for spoken prayers

Prayer Flag

Used in Tibetan Buddhism, these flags are often very colorful and have prayers inscribed on them; specific prayers bless specific things. (A prayer flag hung outside a house is meant to bless the house)

Meditation

the focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas