Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems – Fill-in-the-Blank Flashcards

A comprehensive set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and figures from the lecture on world religions and belief systems.

A structured set of principles or tenets is called a __.

belief system

The broader framework of beliefs, values, and assumptions about reality is known as a __.

worldview

A worldview that affirms the existence of God or gods is termed __.

theistic

A worldview that denies any deity is called __.

atheistic

Beliefs about what is real or the nature of existence belong to the __ branch of a worldview.

ontology

Guidelines about how we gain knowledge or truth are part of __ within a worldview.

epistemology

The core principles or truths accepted by followers of a belief system are called __.

doctrines (dogmas)

Stories that explain origins, values, or truths within a belief system are known as __.

narratives (myths)

The moral rules of a belief system are its __ guidelines.

ethical

An internal, personal search for meaning and transcendence is referred to as __.

spirituality

The growing trend of people seeking meaning outside organized religion is labeled __.

Spiritual but Not Religious (SBNR)

The experience of going beyond one’s physical limitations is called __.

transcendence

The principle of non-violence in all things within Hindu and Buddhist traditions is __.

ahimsa

Physical and human features that affect where and how people live are studied in __.

geography

The intangible aspects of a society, such as beliefs and language, constitute __ culture.

non-material

The blending of two religious traditions, as in Japanese Buddhism and Shinto, is called __.

syncretism

Transmission of culture within one’s own family is known as __.

enculturation

The system of writing used in ancient Mesopotamia is called __.

cuneiform

Mountains regarded as holy sites illustrate the influence of __ on religion.

geography

Religious holidays, arts, and architecture are examples of __ influencing culture.

religion

Abraham’s agreement with God that ensured divine protection in return for obedience is known as the __.

covenant

Jacob was later renamed __, meaning “He who struggles with God.”

Israel

The liberation of Israelites from Egypt under Moses is called the __.

Exodus

God’s giving of the commandments to Moses occurred at __.

Mount Sinai

The Hebrew Bible is collectively called the __.

Tanakh

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible are collectively known as the __.

Torah (Pentateuch)

The Oral Torah later written down in the Mishnah and Gemara forms the __.

Talmud

The segment of the Tanakh containing prophetic writings is the __.

Nevi’im

The total of 613 Jewish commandments are traditionally called the __.

mitzvot

The most famous subset of mitzvot listed in Exodus 20 is the __.

Ten Commandments

Christians believe in one God existing in three persons, a doctrine called the __.

Holy Trinity

The part of the Bible describing Jesus’ life and teachings is the __.

Gospels

The last book of the Christian Bible, rich in symbolism, is __.

Revelation

The Christian belief that bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood is __.

transubstantiation

The belief that Christ’s body and blood coexist with bread and wine is __.

consubstantiation

The two greatest commandments taught by Jesus summarize to: Love God and __.

love your neighbor

A 40-day period of repentance and preparation for Easter is called __.

Lent (Lenten Season)

The celebration of Jesus’ birth on December 25 is known as __.

Christmas

The feast commemorating the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus is __.

Epiphany

Jesus’ ascent to heaven, 40 days after the resurrection, is the feast of __.

Ascension

The event regarded as the birthday of the Church, when the Holy Spirit descended, is __.

Pentecost

The formal Christian statement of faith first issued in 325 AD is the __.

Nicene Creed (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed)

The clause “and the Son” added to the Creed that helped spark the Great Schism is called the __.

Filioque Clause

The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic split of 1054 is known as the __.

Great Schism (East-West Schism)

Martin Luther’s 1517 document criticizing indulgences is popularly called the __.

95 Theses

The belief that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority in faith is central to __.

Protestantism

In Orthodox Eucharist celebrations, __ bread is used instead of unleavened bread.

leavened

Shared leadership among the patriarchs of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem is the __ system.

Pentarchy

The Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church bears the title __.

Pope

The sacrament that initiates a Christian into the faith community is __.

baptism

The Jewish weekly day of rest and worship is __.

Shabbat

The week-long Jewish festival recalling life in temporary booths after the Exodus is __.

Sukkot

The book used at Passover meals that guides the celebration is the __.

Haggadah

The 10-day period of introspection between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called the __.

Days of Awe

The Jewish concept of the world to come, often linked to the Messianic age, is __.

Olam Ha-Ba

The angel who announced Jesus’ conception to Mary is __.

Gabriel

The highest order of angels who attend God’s throne are the __.

Seraphim

The leadership of God’s armies against Satan is traditionally ascribed to the archangel __.

Michael

Positive and negative listings of the 613 mitzvot were systematized by __.

Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides)

Emperor __ made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Constantine

A sentence stating that love is the greatest virtue appears in 1 Corinthians __.

13:1-7