World Religions Final Exam Flashcards

Flashcards for the World Religions Final Exam.

What is Nostra Aetate?

Addresses the Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions.

What is Francis and the Sultan?

A historic encounter between Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil during the Fifth Crusade, it's a remarkable early example of interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

What does the Latin word 'religion' mean?

To bind

What are the basic elements of a religion?

Doctrine, Beliefs, Practices/Rituals, Sacred Time, Sacred Places, Spiritual Goal, Moral code/guide to living, Communities, Art/architecture

Why should we study major world religions?

Gain a clearer understanding of one’s own faith, Better understanding of history, Dispel fears/misunderstandings, Assist a person in being more open/accepting others

What does Spiritual mean?

Individual, personal, and private connection or in touch with God through a particular activity

What does Religious mean?

Adherence to a religion (specific beliefs/dogma), organized, community (public practices, rituals, worship)

What is Theism?

Belief in the existence of God or God(s), God is the creator of the universe, God intervenes and sustains it with personal relationships

What is Deism?

Belief in the existence of god or gods, God is the creator of universe, God does not intervene in universe

What is Agnosticism?

Claim neither faith or disbelief in God, nothing is known or can be known of the existence of God, impossible to know

What is Atheism?

Means “without” belief, disbelief in the existence of god/s

What is the Replacement Model?

Christianity is meant to replace all other religions

What is the Fulfillment Model?

Affirming God’s presence in other religions

According to Barth, what saves us?

Grace, Faith, Christ, and Scripture

What is Ecumenism?

Refers to efforts by Christians of different church traditions and denominations to develop closer relationships and better understanding, with the ultimate goal of unity among all Christians.

What is interreligious dialogue?

Efforts by Christians of different church traditions and denominations to develop closer relationships and better understanding, with the ultimate goal of unity among all Christians.

What are the 3 Major Christian denominations?

Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant

What are the sacred texts for Christians?

Bible, Psalms, 10 Commandments, Apologetics

What is the Trinity?

Father, son, holy spirit

What is Incarnation?

God became human in the person of Jesus Christ

What is the Great Schism?

Constantinople moved to the capital to Byzantium

What is the Protestant Reformation?

Questioning of indulgences

What is Orthodox meaning?

Right teaching

What is Catholic meaning?

Universal

What is Protestant meaning?

Protesting against Catholicism

What does it mean to be an Ethnic Jew?

Means you are a member of the tribe from Abraham and Sarah

What does it mean to be a Religious Jew?

Adhere to set of beliefs, practices, and ethnics based on the Torah

What are the Branches of Judaism?

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist

What is Orthodox Judaism?

Literal interpretation of Torah

What is Conservative Judaism?

Subscribes to authority of Torah but also respects biblical scholarship

What is Reform Judaism?

Repository of ethical teachings rather that divinely revealed

What is Reconstructionist Judaism?

Torah not given by God, emphasis on Jewish culture and history

What is the Spiritual Goal of Jews?

Mitzvot

What is Monotheistic?

Belief in ONE GOD

What are the Abrahamic Religions?

Islam, Judaism and Christianity

What is YHVH?

Form of Hebrew verb “to be / Lord”

What is HaShem?

“the name”- way to refer to God in a casual conversation

What are Mitzvot?

Practices that are lived more consciously with God

What is Tanakh?

For Christians this is the Old Testament

What is Talmud?

Provides additional information, besides the Torah, that shows how to live out laws

What is Torah?

First 5 Books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

What is Zionism?

Movement beginning in the 19th century that sought to restore a Jewish homeland in Palestine in response to anti-Semitism

What is Kosher?

Means fit, current, and proper

What is a Rabbi?

Master” or “Teacher”

What is Tefillin?

A pair of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah

What is Tallit?

Traditional rectangular shawl made of typical wood or cotton

What is Yarmulke?

Head coverings that are mentioned in the Talmud, which is thought to be the origin of the yarmulke, it is mentioned in a story about a boy wearing a hat in which that hat is meant to protect him from evil thoughts

What is Rosh Hashanah?

A celebration of the creation of the world, start of the new year

What is Shavout?

Happens 7 weeks after the start of Passover, commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai

What is Shabbat?

Begins sunset on every Friday to sunset on every Saturday, celebrates how God made the world in 6 days and rest on the 7th

What is Yom Kippur?

Also known as the Day of Atonement, day for spiritual purification

What are the connections between Judaism, Christianity and Islam to Jerusalem / Israel?

Jerusalem is the holiest city in Judaism, Jesus lived, preached, and was crucified in Jerusalem, Jerusalem is the 3rd holiest city in Islam

What can you find in a synagogue?

Ark, Torah, Ner Tamid, Menorah, 10 Commandments, Star of David, Pews for congregation, Bimah

How is a male baby's birth celebrated in Judaism?

Circumcision, takes place 8 days after birth, gives permanent mark to Jews as a way to differentiate them from other people, tradition began with Abraham

How is a female baby's birth celebrated in Judaism?

Giving of her name, revealed for the first time by rabbi, brought to synagogue where she is welcome into congregation

What is Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

Ceremony that the individual has become an adult and is responsible for his/her religious and moral training.

What are the three main dictates of Kosher laws?

Permitted animals, Separation of meat and dairy, Proper slaughter and preparation

How did Islam originate?

Began with the preaching of Muhammad

What was Muhammad's role in Islam?

Restored Islam

What is Ramadan?

Month long fast from dusk until dawn

What is Eid al Fitr?

The festival of breaking the fast (after Ramadan)

What is the Qur’an?

Means recitation, Muhammads recited words to his followers who write them down, cannot be translated into other languages, commandment of Allah

What is Hadith?

Explanation of the commandments (helps make sense of teachings in Qu’ran), second in authority

What are the sacred cities of Islam?

Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem

Why is Mecca sacred?

Birthplace of Muhammad

Why is Medina sacred?

Muhammad immigrated here due to the strong opposition he faced

Why is Jerusalem sacred?

Muhammad made his “Night Journey” here

What would you find at a mosque?

Sahn, Mihrab, Minaret, Qubba, Calligraphic Inscriptions

What are the 5 pillars of Islam?

Shahada (Witnessing), Salat (Prayer), Sawm (Fasting), Zakat (Almsgiving), Hajj (Pilgramage)

What are the 6 beliefs of Islam?

Belief in Allah, Belief in Angels, Belief in Divine Scriptures, Belief in Prophets, Belief in the Day of Judgement, Belief in Divine Decree

What is Islam meaning?

“surrender or submission” and refers to one who submits to the will of God

What is Allah meaning?

“God” in Arabic

How did Hinduism originate?

Didn’t just begin, emerged (developed over time)

What is the Greatest spiritual goal in Hinduism?

Moksha, refers to freedom

What is the Caste system?

Rigid social system in Hinduism based on birthright

What are the Vedic Restraints?

Basis of the Hindu Moral Code

What are the two forms of scripture in Hinduism?

Shruti and Smirti

What are the deity traditions of Hinduism?

Different devotional practices based on a particular god or goddess that follows their worship

What is Monism?

The belief that all reality is one

Who is Brahman?

Ultimate Reality, the absolute/supreme God, has no physical attributes, life force of the universe

Who is Brahma?

The Creator

Who is Shiva?

The Destroyer

Who is Vishnu?

The Maintainer

What is Puja?

Form of worship and honors one or more deities

What is Diwali?

Celebrates the Return of Rama to his kingdom after being exiled

What is Holi?

Celebrates the love between Krisna and Radha

What are the 4 Pursuits of Life?

Dharma: following ones duties in life, Artha: the pursuit of both material and political wealth, Kama: cultural pursuits, Moksha: pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth

Who are the Dalits?

The untouchables or more so low caste Indians

What is Atman?

The individual’s soul or essence

What is Moksha?

Pursuit of liberation from the cycle or rebirth through actions, thoughts, and devotions

What is Samsara?

The experience of birth, life, and death over and over again until one has achieved oneness with Brahman or Moksha

What is Reincarnation?

The belief that the soul continues to exist after death and takes on a new body repeating this cycle until liberation is achieved