World Religions 2025

Major Jewish Holidays and Festivals

Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, Shavuot.

Do all Jews follow a kosher diet?

No.

Shema

"Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One."

Origin of Yiddish

German speaking language around the 9th century.

Branches of Judiasm

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Constructionist.

Shofar

a ram's horn used as a musical instrument for Jewish holidays and solemn occasions. It is most notably used on Rosh Hashanah.

Huppah’s purpose at a wedding

symbolizes the new couple's home, representing hospitality during a Jewish wedding ceremony. It's a canopy on four poles.

Midrash

ancient form of Jewish biblical exegesis, providing detailed interpretations and expansions of the Torah and other parts of the Hebrew Bible.

Talmud

central text of Rabbinic Judaism and serves as a comprehensive commentary on the Mishnah. It consists of the Mishnah (the first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions) and the Gemara (an elucidation of the Mishnah and related.

Torah

also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses, comprises the first five books only.

What is the common term for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?

Mormons

The primary text of the Church of Christ, Scientist is

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Manual of the Mother Church

Why are Native American’s tied to specific lands

connection to specific lands is deeply rooted in their religious history. Unlike religions that are based on specific time periods their tradition is tied to geographical locations. These locations are sacred, holding significant spiritual and historical value for various tribes

Do Catholics and Orthodox believe in infant baptism?

Yes

Transubstantiation

central doctrine of the Catholic Church which states that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Magesterium

the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, vested in the bishops in communion with the Pope.

What is ecumenism?

principle or aim of fostering unity among Christian churches or denominations. More broadly, it seeks to promote cooperation and better understanding among different religions or faiths, to overcome divisions and work together on shared concerns.

martyrs

Members who die in defense of their faith.

Five Pillars of Islam

Shahada (Declaration of Faith), Salat (Prayer), Zakat (Charity), Sawm (Fasting), Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Kaaba

meaning 'cube' in Arabic, is a sacred building at the center of Islam's most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is believed to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael and is the holiest site in Islam.

Where do Muslims face when they pray? Who calls them to prayer?

Kaaba in Mecca; muezzin is the person who calls Muslims to prayer from a mosque's minaret. This call, known as the adhan, is a public announcement of the prayer time and invites Muslims to come together for communal worship.

Differences between leadership in Shi’a and Sunni>

Sunni Muslims believe that the leader of the Muslim community, or Caliph, should be chosen by consensus among Muslims or their representatives. They recognize the first four Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali) as the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Shi'a Muslims, on the other hand, believe that leadership should have remained within the Prophet's family, specifically through Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law.

What do Muslims believe about the Koran

the literal word of God (Allah), as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. It is considered the highest authority in Islam, providing guidance on all aspects of life, including moral, ethical, and legal principles.

How many times do Muslims walk around the Kaaba during hajj? Is every Muslim required to go on hajj

Seven times in a counterclockwise direction; this is known as Tawaf. The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and it is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Rules of Ramadan

No eating or drinking from dawn to sunset. No smoking. No sexual activity during fasting hours. No intentional vomiting. Fasting is for healthy adult Muslims (exceptions: children, sick, elderly, travelers, pregnant, menstruating)

Who was Muhammad? Was he illiterate?

founder of Islam and is considered its last prophet. He was born in Mecca in 570 CE and received revelations from God, which became the Quran. Yes

Shahada

Islamic declaration of faith:
“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Names of Creator god, preserver god, Trimurti?

Creator: Brahma Preserver: Vishnu Trimurti: Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), Shiva (Destroyer)

What Hindu River is most sacred

Ganges River

What is Atman

individual soul or true self in Hinduism, believed to be eternal and part of the universal soul (Brahman).

What is Sikhism a blend of

Hinduism and Islam

Rig Veda

Oldest Hindu sacred text of hymns

Shudra

Lowest caste in traditional Hindu society

Bhagavad Gita

Hindu scripture; dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna on duty and faith

Samsara

cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation) in Hinduism.

Krishna

major Hindu god, considered an avatar of Vishnu, known for his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita and stories in Hindu scriptures.

What is Dharma

the moral duty, righteousness, or the right way of living according to one’s role in society.

What is Avatar?

A god taking human or animal form on Earth.

What is Brahmin

Highest caste in Hindu society; priests and scholars

Primary Branches of Buddhism

Theravada Mahayana Vajrayana

What are bodhisattvas

Enlightened beings who delay entering nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

Siddhartha Gautama

Also known as the Buddha, was the founder of Buddhism. He achieved enlightenment and taught the path to end suffering.

What is Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha—the truth, law, and path to enlightenment.

How is the Dalai Lama Chosen

Tibetan Buddhist monks who search for the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, using signs, visions, and tests to identify the child.

Four Noble Truths

Life has suffering. Suffering has a cause (desire). Suffering can end. The path to end suffering is the Eightfold Path

What is Moksha

liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara); union with the ultimate reality (Brahman) and freedom from suffering.

Hindu understanding of the Soul

(Atman) is eternal, unchanging, and a part of Brahman (universal spirit). It is reborn until it achieves moksha (liberation).

Confucius on Suffering

Can be avoided with proper education.

Analects

collection of sayings and ideas of Confucius, recorded by his followers, forming a key text of Confucianism.

Understanding of Right Relationships

respectful, ethical roles between people (like parent-child, ruler-subject) that maintain social harmony and order.

wu wei

“non-action” or “effortless action”—acting in harmony with nature, without force or struggle.

Shinto presence in modern era Japan?

Japan’s native religion, with rituals, festivals, and shrines still important in Japanese culture and daily life today.

Yin & Yang?

opposite yet complementary forces in Chinese philosophy, representing balance and harmony in the universe (e.g., dark/light, female/male).