World Religions Exam Review Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts for Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and general religious studies based on the exam review notes.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

A coming-of-age ceremony in Judaism occurring at age $13$ for boys and age $12$ (or $13$) for girls, marking their transition to adulthood and responsibility for following Jewish laws.

Diaspora

The scattering of Jewish people from their homeland; despite being separated geographically, they maintained their faith through the Torah, synagogues, and traditions.

Holocaust

The systematic persecution and murder of about $6$ million Jews by the Nazi regime led by Adolf Hitler between $1933-1945$, resulting in the loss of approximately one-third of the world's Jewish population.

Kristallnacht

Meaning 'Night of Broken Glass,' it was an event where Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues were attacked.

Auschwitz

The largest Nazi death camp used during the Holocaust.

Genocide

The deliberate attempt to destroy a group of people.

Rabbi

A Jewish religious leader and teacher who explains Jewish laws and leads worship services.

Talmud

A collection of rabbinic teachings, interpretations, and discussions of Jewish law that helps Jews apply the Torah to everyday situations.

Mitzvot

The commandments or religious duties Jews are expected to follow, such as keeping kosher, observing Shabbat, and honoring parents.

Orthodox Jews

The most traditional branch of Judaism which strictly follows Jewish law and maintains traditional worship practices.

Reform Jews

A modern branch of Judaism characterized by flexible interpretation of law, personal choice, and the ability for women to become rabbis.

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, observed from Friday sunset to Saturday night, as a weekly reminder that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.

Synagogue

A Jewish place of worship and community life featuring an Ark for Torah scrolls that faces Jerusalem, a Bimah, and an eternal light.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Abraham

The founder and first patriarch of Judaism with whom God made a covenant promising land, descendants, and blessings.

Gospel

Meaning 'Good News,' it refers both to the message that Jesus died for humanity's sins and the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Jesus Christ

The central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God, who was crucified by the Romans and rose from the dead after three days.

Indulgences

Church-granted reductions of punishment for sins, which were often sold for money by the early $1500s$, sparking Martin Luther's opposition.

95 Theses

A document posted by Martin Luther in $1517$ opposing indulgences, which started the Protestant Reformation.

Evangelism

The act of sharing the Gospel and encouraging others to follow Jesus, helping Christianity spread into a worldwide religion.

Fundamentalism

A Christian movement emphasizing strict adherence to traditional beliefs and a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Evangelicalism

A Christian movement focusing on a personal 'born again' relationship with Jesus Christ and the importance of spreading the Gospel.

Bishops

Senior Church leaders considered successors of the Apostles who gather at Ecumenical Councils to discuss important issues.

Catholicism

A branch of Christianity led by the Pope, following scripture and Church Tradition, and observing seven sacraments.

Anglicanism

A branch of Christianity that started when England separated from the Pope, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and viewed as a middle way between Protestantism and Catholicism.

Allah

The Arabic word for God, whom Muslims believe is the one and only God.

Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the literal word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad; it contains $114$ surahs.

Hadith

Collections of the sayings, actions, and teachings of Prophet Muhammad used to guide daily life.

Fatwa

A religious ruling or opinion provided by an Islamic scholar regarding a religious question.

Jihad

Meaning 'struggle' or 'striving,' often referring to the personal spiritual struggle to live a good Muslim life.

Jumu'ah

Special Friday congregational prayer that includes a sermon called a khutbah.

Eid al-Fitr

The 'Festival of Breaking the Fast' which celebrates the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Adha

The 'Festival of Sacrifice' commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

Hijrah

Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in $622$ CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Angel Gabriel (Jibril)

The angel who appeared to Muhammad in the Cave of Hira to reveal messages from Allah.

Shahada

The declaration of faith and the first pillar of Islam: 'There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.'

Salat

The ritual prayer performed five times daily (Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) while facing Mecca.

Zakat

The pillar of charity, usually involving the giving of $2.5\%$ of wealth to those in need.

Sawm

Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca required once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able.

Mihrab

A niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca (Qibla).

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam, which believes leaders should be chosen by the community.

Shi'a

The branch of Islam that believes leadership should remain within Muhammad's family through Ali.

Halal

Actions or foods that are permitted or lawful in Islam.

Haram

Actions or foods that are forbidden or unlawful, such as pork, alcohol, or blood.

Puja

A Hindu worship ritual involving offerings, prayers, and lamps, intended to connect with the divine presence through a murti.

Mandir

A Hindu temple or place of worship believed to be the earthly home of a deity.

Samsara

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Moksha

The liberation from samsara where the soul (atman) becomes united with Brahman.

Karma

The law of action and consequence; the belief that good or bad actions affect a person's future life or rebirth.

Dharma

Duty, moral responsibility, and proper behavior according to one's age, caste, and stage of life.

Caste System

A traditional social structure in India divided into four main groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.

Trimurti

The three forms of the divine in Hinduism: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).

Bhagavad Gita

A sacred Hindu scripture where Krishna teaches Arjuna about duty (dharma) and the eternal nature of the soul on a battlefield.

Guru

A spiritual teacher who guides followers in Hindu faith and practice.

Siddhartha Gautama

The prince who became the Buddha, or 'the Awakened One,' after discovering the Four Noble Truths and the Middle Way.

Nirvana

The highest goal in Buddhism, representing freedom from suffering, craving, attachment, and the cycle of rebirth.

Anicca

The Buddhist truth of impermanence, reflecting that everything is always changing.

Dukkha

The Buddhist concept of suffering, dissatisfaction, or stress inherent in life.

Anatta

The Buddhist belief that there is no permanent, fixed, or unchanging self or soul.

Tripitakas

Also called the 'Three Baskets,' these are the sacred texts of Buddhism preserving the Buddha's teachings and rules for monks.

Interreligious Dialogue

Respectful conversation and cooperation between people of different religions to increase understanding and promote peace.

Polytheism

The belief in many gods, such as in ancient Roman religion or certain forms of Hinduism.

Monotheism

The belief in one God, as seen in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Religious Pluralism

When diverse religions coexist and actively engage with or learn from one another while respecting beliefs.

Pharisees

A Jewish group focused on scripture and oral tradition whose teachings shaped Rabbinic Judaism after the destruction of the Temple.

Ark

The most sacred area of a synagogue where the Torah scrolls are kept.