World Religions 23/24

Canaan

ancient home of the Hebrews, God promised this land to the Jews

Torah

first five books of the Hebrew Bible, it is considered the most sacred writings in the Jewish religion

Abraham

God chose him to be the "father" of the Hebrew people

covenant

(Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return

"Exodus"

the second book of the Old Testament: tells of the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt led by Moses

Ten Commandments

A set of laws for responsible behavior, which, according to the Bible, were given to Moses by God.

Moses

The Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt across the Red Sea on a journey known as the Exodus

monotheism

The Hebrew emphasis on right conduct and worship of ONE God. This idea influenced human behavior for thousands of years through Judaism,Christianity and Islam

Judah

Hebrew people were divided into 12 tribes eventually they merged into this one.

Jews

After the tribes merged into one,the Hebrew people came to be called this name.

Saul, David,Solomon

3 Hebrew Kings that led Israel through 100 years of power and independence.

King Solomon

built a grand temple that was to be the permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant

Assyrians and Babylonians

Groups that eventually conquered Israel and Judah

Hinduism

A religion native to India, featuring belief in many gods and reincarnation. It is a collection of beliefs.

Moksha

The Hindu state of perfect understanding of all things.

reincarnation

rebirth of an individual until the enlightenment is achieved.

karma

the idea that all actions of a person will affect that person's fate in the next life

caste system

a social system in which people are born into certain social classes and cannot change their circumstances

Siddhartha Gautama

the founder of Buddhism, the Buddha

Nirvana

The Buddhist state of perfect understanding of all things.

Mecca

Islam's holy city

Ka'aba

Islam sacred site built by Abraham and his son Ishmael it is surrounded by the Grand Mosque. Muslims face toward Mecca to pray.

hajj

a pilgrimage to Mecca, performed as a duty by Muslims

Muhammad

founder of Islam

Muslims

followers of Islam. "one who has submitted"

Islam

means "submission to the will of Allah"

Qur'an

Holy book of Islam

Vedas

Sacred writings of Hinduism

Sunni

People who believe that Muslim rulers should follow the example of Muhammad

Shi'a

People who believe that all Muslim rulers should be descended from Muhammad

House of Wisdom

Was built in Baghdad as a gathering place for scholars of different cultures and beliefs

Calligraphy

The art of beautiful handwriting

Jesus

Religious leader and founder of Christianity

Apostles

Jesus' followers who carried out his teachings all over the ancient world.

Christos

Greek word for messiah or savior

Paul

an apostle of Jesus who declared that Christianity should welcome all converts. This universality allowed the religion to become more than a local religion.

Gentile

anyone not of the Jewish faith

Diaspora

Scattering of the Jewish people from their homeland

Constantine

Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)

Peter

Apostle of Jesus travelled to Rome and supervised the "building" of churches. Referred to as the "rock" on which the Christian Church was build.

mosque

Muslim house of worship

synagogue

Jewish house of worship

Confucius

philosopher who believed that social order, harmony and good government could be organized around 5 basic relationships

bureaucracy

trained civil service or those who run the government

Confucianism

was never a religion, but an ethical system, based on accepted principles of right and wrong

Bible

The holy book of Christians.

Salvation

Once a christian accepts and follows Jesus, everlasting life is granted.

Five Pillars of Faith

Steps that a devoted Muslim must follow.

untouchables

lowest level of the caste system

Four Noble Truths

as taught by the Buddha, the basic beliefs that form the foundation of Buddhism

Eight Fold Path

Steps taken to achieve Nirvana

Dalai-Lama

the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and, until the establishment of Chinese communist rule, the spiritual and temporal ruler of Tibet.