Key Concepts in Religion and Beliefs

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key religious terms, concepts, and figures.

Monotheism

Belief in one, all-powerful God.

It shaped western religion by emphasizing a single divine will guiding creation and mortality.

Polytheism

Belief in many gods or divine beings.

Atheist

Someone who does not believe in any god or gods.

Theist

Someone who believes in one or more gods.

The base worldview of most global religions.

Agnostic

Someone who believes that we cannot know for sure if God exists.

Focuses on uncertainty and evidence rather than faith

Religion

A system of beliefs, practices, and values that connect humans with the divine or the sacred.

Express both personal faith and community identity through rituals, stories, and ethical teachings.

Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, believed to be God’s final revelation to humanity.

Teaches moral laws, social justice, and devotion to Allah

Written in Arabic and revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible used in Judaism, divided into three parts — Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

It tells the story of God’s covenants with the Israelites

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Genesis exodus Leviticus numbers and Deuteronomy.

The foundation of Jewish law and tradition.

Bible

The sacred scripture of Christianity, consisting of the Old Testament and New Testament.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Grew out of Judaism; centers on love, forgiveness, and eternal life.

Judaism

The monotheistic faith of the Jewish people, centered on the covenant between God and Israel.

Following the Torahs laws

Emphasizes ethical living, justice, and community

Islam

Monotheistic faith founded by the Prophet Muhammad; followers are called Muslims.

The five pillars- faith, prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage

Teaches submission to the will of Allah and the pursuit of peace through obedience to God.

Adam and Eve

The first humans created by God according to the Bible and Qur'an.

A story in Genesis explains human origin and the idea of sin

Symbolizes humanitys relationship and fall from grace with God

Abraham

Considered the father of monotheism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

His covenant with God began the Hebrew peoples lineage

Isaac / Ishmael

Sons of Abraham; Isaac is the ancestor of the Jews through Sarah (the wife), Ishmael the ancestor of Arabs through Hagar(the servant)

Their story explains the shared lineage of Judaism and Islam

Jacob

Son of Isaac, later renamed Israel; father of the twelve tribes of Israel.

represents God‘s ongoing covenant with the Hebrew people

Moses

Prophet and leader who freed the Israelites from Egypt.

received the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai

Central figure in Judaism and respected in Christianity and Islam

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Messiah and Son of God.

taught love forgiveness and salvation

seen as a prophet in Islam, divine Savior in Christianity and historical Teacher and Judaism

Muhammad

The final prophet in Islam who received God’s revelation (the Qur'an).

Preached in Mecca and Medina about monotheism in social Justice

Muslim see him as the seal of the profits completing the messages of Abraham, Moses and Jesus