World Religion Exam

Hasidism

A branch of Orthodox Judaism that emphasizes joy, prayer, community and devotion to God.

Passover

A festival celebrating the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in Egypt under Moses.

Pentateuch

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Torah).

Circumcision

A covenant ritual in which a male baby’s foreskin is removed, symbolizing God’s covenant with Abraham.

Moses

Prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments.

Shabbat

The Jewish holy day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

Abraham

Considered the father of Judaism and the first person to make a covenant with God. 

Torah

The sacred scripture of Judaism containing God’s laws and teachings.

Kosher

Foods that follow Jewish dietary laws.

Synagogue

Jewish place of worship.

Rabbi

Jewish religious teacher and leader.

Atheist

A person who does not believe in God.

Agnostic

A person who believes it is impossible or uncertain to know whether God exists. 

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity; Christians believe He is the Son of God and Messiah.

Roman Catholic

Largest Christian denomination led by the Pope.

Eastern Orthodox

Christian denomination that split from Roman Catholicism in the Great Schism.

Rosary

Prayer beads used mainly by Catholics.

Pope

Leader of the Roman Catholic Church

Gospels

The first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke John

Holy Bible

Sacred scripture of Christianity.

Parables

Stories Jesus used to teach moral and spiritual lessons.

Reformation

 16th-century movement that led to Protestant Christianity.

Great Schism

The split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches in 1054 CE.

Emperor Constantine

Roman Emperor who legalized Christianity.

Church

Christian place of worship.

Sabbath Day

Day dedicated to worship and rest (usually Sunday for Christians).

Messiah

 The savior promised by God.

Shahada

Declaration of faith: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”

Salat

Five daily prayers.

Zakat

Giving charity to the poor.

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca.

Wudu

Ritual washing before prayer.

Sunnis

Largest branch of Islam; believe leaders should be chosen by the community.

Shi’ahs

Believe leadership should remain with Muhammad’s family.

Ummah

Worldwide Muslim community.

Jihad

“Struggle” to live according to God’s will.

Hijrah

Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

Muhammad

Founder and final prophet of Islam.

Mosque

Muslim place of worship.

Halal

Permitted according to Islamic law.

Haram

Forbidden according to Islamic law.

Ka’bah

Sacred structure in Mecca toward which Muslims pray.

Imam

Prayer leader.

Caliph

Successor to Muhammad’s political leadership.

Allah

Arabic word for God.

Sudra

The fourth and lowest traditional caste; workers and laborers.

Samsara

Cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

Karma

The law of cause and effect; actions affect future lives.

Avatars

Earthly forms taken by gods, especially Vishnu.

Caste System

Traditional social hierarchy.

Polytheism

Belief in many gods.

Moksha

Freedom from Samsara.

Brahma

The creator god.

Brahman

Ultimate spiritual reality; divine force behind everything.

Dharma

Moral duty and righteous living.

Mandir

Hindu temple.

Vegetarian

Many Hindus avoid meat out of respect for life.

Ahimsa

Non-violence toward all living things.

Yoga

Spiritual and physical practice aimed at union with the divine.

Cremation

Traditional Hindu funeral practice.

Guru

Spiritual teacher.

Siddhartha Gautama

Founder of Buddhism who became the Buddha.

Mandala

Sacred symbolic design used in meditation.

Mantras

Sacred phrases repeated during meditation.

Sangha

Community of Buddhists.

Ahimsa

Non-violence.

Four Sights

The old man, sick man, dead man, and holy man that inspired Siddhartha’s spiritual journey.

Ascetic

Person who practices extreme self-denial.

Nirvana

Ultimate state free from suffering and rebirth.

Enlightenment

Complete understanding of reality.

Buddha

The Enlightened One.

Concept of Suffering

Life invovles suffering caused by desire and attachment.

Temple

Place of Buddhist worship.

Bodhisattvas

Enlightened beings who help others achieve enlightenment.

Meditation

Practice used to develop wisdom and mindfulness.

Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha.

Kesh

Uncut hair representing acceptance of God’s creation.

Kangha

Wooden comb representing cleanliness.

Kara

Steel bracelet representing eternity and commitment to God.

Kachera (Kaccha)

Cotton shorts representing self-discipline.

Kirpan

Ceremonial sword representing justice and protection.

Khanda

Symbol of Sikhism.

Waheguru

The Sikh name for God.

Guru Granth Sahib

 Holy scripture of Sikhism.

Gurdwara

 Sikh place of worship.