World Religions

Which group of faith is Judaism, Christianity and Islam?

Abrahamic Faiths

How are Christianity, Judaism and Islam different?

Judaism- Does not seek converts, believes that God chose the Jewish for a special purpose
Christianity- Believe God revealed in 3 "persons" (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), Death of Jesus was an atonement for the sins of humans, Love of God and of other humans is important
Islam- Believe that Muhammad is God's prophet, Every Muslim must follow the 5 pillars, Mecca is the holiest place.

Similarities between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism?

Judaism and Christianity- Hebrew Bible
Judaism and Islam- dietary restrictions
Christianity and Islam- Seek and welcome converts, Influenced by Judaism
All- Belie 1 God, Guided by holy books, Middle east, Ethical worldview

What are the 7 dimensions?

experiential, mythic, doctrinal, ethical, ritual, social, material

Explain the 7 dimensions

Doctrinal- Systematic formulation of religious teachings in an intellectually coherent form
Mythological- stories that fit together into a fairly complete interpretation of the universe and humanity's place in it.
Ethical- Rules about human behavior
Ritual- Forms and orders of ceremonies
Experiential- experience, feelings
Institutional- shared beliefs, attitudes and practices
Material- Ordinary objects or places that manifest sacred or supernatural
Social- people and roles

Who is Abraham?

First Jew, covenant to God

Who is Ishmael?

-Son of Abraham
-Banished by Sarah
-Lineage claimed in Islam

Who is Isaac?

-Son of Abraham and Sarah; heir promised to him; 2nd patriarch of Israel -almost sacrificed as a 12-year-old child

Who is Jacob?

Son of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was the eldest son and was entitled to the birthright. Jacob tricked Isaac into giving Jacob the birthright that was rightfully Esau's. Jacob fled thinking that Esau would kill him. He went to live with his Uncle Laban. He married both Leah and Rachel

Who is Joseph?

-Jacob's favorite son -sold into slavery by his brothers -became prime minister of Egypt

Family tree of Abraham

Name and explain the 3 Abrahamic Covenants

The promised land of Israel

Seed

- descendants

Blessing

- "bless those who bless you"

Name the musical based on the life of Jacob's family

Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat

define revelation

God's disclosing to man things about Himself that man could not know otherwise

Who are the founders of Judaism?

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph and moses

Who are the founders of Christianity?

Jesus

Who founded Islam?

The Prophet Muhammad

What is the history of The Old Testament?

Come out of Judaic tradition and is shared with Christians and is part of the first half of the Christian bible

What are the 4 central concepts (Judaism) and explain

One God- God created a Covenant (agreement) with Moses on Mount Sinai. The covenant required exclusive loyalty to God, who rescued them from bondage in Egypt, Worship of other gods is prohibited, and Rituals and festivals created to celebrate God's historical and continuing provision.
One People- Jewish tradition states that because of the covenants with God, the Jewish people are God's chosen people.
One Holy Land- Gained significance during Moses' life as Hebrews sought to develop a community in the Promised Land. Jews believe this is Israel.
One Law- God passed on the Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. Written in Hebrew "First five books": Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Some of the Main Stories include:
- Creation of the world- God's call to Abraham
- 10 Commandments- Rescue from Slavery in Egypt
- Finding the Promised Land
- The Torah scroll itself is Holy. It is never touched with bare hands and gets put away in a velvet wrapping

What is God referred to in Hebrew

In Hebrew texts, God is referred to as YHWM (Ancient Hebrew has no vowels...pronounced yahweh)

What are the 3 types of Judaism?

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform

Explain Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Jews sought to maintain very strict observance of Jewish Laws as expressed in the Torah (written) and the Talmud(oral)
-follow literal meaning of the Bible
-about 40% of Jewish population

Explain Conservative Judaism

developed in America as a way to acculturate (pretend to assimilate)
-sits in between orthodox and reform
-many American Jews find Reform Judaism as a way to fit into American society with having to fully give up the torah and the talmud
-about 30% of Jews

Explain Reform Judaism

Reform Jews view Jewish Laws as being adaptable to the changing cultures over time
-MOST LIBERAL form of Judaism
-use the Bible for BASIC moral principles
-no not believe in literal meaning of the Bible
-ignore outdated passages of example animal sacrifice
(first women Rabbis, believe in intermarriage, not so traditional, don't NEED a separate Nation)
-about 30%

Where is the Holiest place for Jews

The Holy Temple in Jerusalem. However, the Temple has been destroyed (once by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and once the Romans destroyed it in 70 CE) It was never rebuilt.

What is the Jewish place of worship?

synagogue

What is the most sacred text of Judaism?

The Torah. Jews believe its contents were revealed to Moses by God. The Torah plays a central role in many Jewish ceremonies.

What along with the Hebrew Bible, the foundation of Jewish ethics and religious practices.

The Talmud

What is the belief that that there is only one God and that God wants humans to lead moral lives called?

Ethical Monotheism

The ancestral homeland of the Jewish people and site of Judaism's holiest places

Israel

Adopted as the Old Testament by Christianity.

Hebrew Bible

Jewish religious leaders were called?

Rabbis

What is the relationship between the Torah and the Hebrew Bible?

The torah is a part of the Hebrew Bible, other than prophets and writings

If the calendar says that the first day of a Jewish holiday is September 18, when do Jews begin celebrating the holiday? Why?

All the holidays start at the sunset of the day before and ends the next evening so they would celebrate on september 17 evening.

One of the contributions of Judaism to the world is the idea of a day of rest. How do days of rest help people?

The Friday night to Saturday night is the day of rest where people does not do work and can focus on other things and rest.

Who is Moses?

Moses is the giver of the 10 commandments. Moses is the greatest prophet in the Old Testament. Moses is from the tribe of Levi (One of the sons of Jacob). Moses' Parents: Amram and Jochebed. Moses' Sister: Miriam, helps lead the people. Moses' Brother: Aaron, does the talking Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter and found in a basket An Israelite/Hebrew Saved from death when his mother sent him in a basket down the Nile River Grew up as an Egyptian prince Discovers his heritage Runs away to Midian God speaks to Moses in burning bush - sends him to free the Israelites

What are the 10 plagues? (Judaism)

1) water to blood 2) the frogs 3) gnats 4) flies 5) pestilence 6) boils 7) hail 8) locusts 9) darkness 10) death of first born

What is the significance of the crossing of the red sea

-Pharoah agrees to free the Israelites
-Changes his mind and sends chariots after them
-Moses parts the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross

What is Pesach?

Passover, celebrating God's deliverance of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt; families gather for the first evening of the festival to share the Seder meal, which recalls in words and symbols the departure of the Israelites from Egypt
-Recollection of the freedom from bondage and slavery in Egypt
-Also represents the beginning of the time of harvest

Celebrating Pesach

- Begin by removing chametz (leaven bread) from the home
- This commemorates the fact that the Jews leaving Egypt were in a hurry, and did not have time to let their bread rise.
- It is also a symbolic way of removing the "puffiness" (arrogance, pride) from our souls.

What is the Seder?

The Seder, a festive Passover meal, actually means "order." It is called this because the meal is done in a certain order which symbolizes the Jews moving from slavery to freedom in Ancient Egypt (Exodus)
Ex. Unleavened bread—leaving in haste, bitter herbs—struggles
-Shank bone - not eaten, but a reminder of the lamb that was killed so it's blood was placed on the door posts
-Egg - hard-boiled and roasted in a flame. A reminder of the animals which used to be sacrificed
-Green vegetable - symbol of the way God cared for the Jews
-Bitter herbs - a symbol of the bitterness of slavery
-Charoset - a sweet mixture of apples, nuts, spices, and wine. Reminder of the cement used by the slaves when they were building. Also a symbol of freedom.

Significance of Moses in a Basket as a baby

As a baby he was put in a basket on the Nile River to save him rescued by a royal family in Egypt and grew up as an Egyptian prince.

Significance of Burning Bush

The start of Moses's mission to help God and the Israelites

Significance of 9 Plagues

The things that happened to the Egyptians when the Pharoah did not agree to free the Israelites

What is Death of the First Born

One of the plagues

Significance of Israelites cross the Red Sea

When the Pharoah agrees to free the Israelites, Moses parts the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross

What is Kosher/Kashurt?

food acceptable to God according to the law
• Dietary laws observed all year round
• Restrictions can vary depending on the sect of Judaism

Jewish Clothing

Not all Jewish people will follow a day-to-day dress code, but the more traditional Jewish people (particularly Orthodox Jews) will follow a very strict daily dress code

What is a Yamulke

• known in Hebrew as a kippah
• Optional for Reformed Jews• Mandatory for Conservative and Orthodox Jews
• Worn when praying, attending the synagogue or at a religious event or festival.
• respect and fear of God. • separates God and human
• Debate as to whether it is a law or not

What is a "tallit" for?

It is worn over the shoulders during prayer Prayer Shawl

Tzitzit

- fringe made of 4 strands of wool Traditionally worn all day
Most often worn during prayers

What is a tefillin?

small black boxes containing Torah worn on forehead and arm during morning prayer

Two black leather boxes

•Contain parchment with sacred text
•Boxes are tied near head and left arm
•Worn during prayer

What is the Sabbath?

a day set apart to rest and honor God based on creation stories of Genesis.

•Friday night and Saturday is a time set aside for prayer, family and friends •Begins at Friday at sunset

•lighting of candle "let there be light"

•Sabbath dinner (kiddush) songs and prayer)

-Challah bread - special Jewish bread eaten on Sabbath and holidays.

What is Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah?

"son/daughter of the commandment" now considered an adult in the community and responsible for following the Jewish laws.

What is the Shiva ritual?

•The ritual of seven day mourning of a loved one.
•For seven days after the death of a family member, people sit shiva. They do not work or other activities for seven days. It is tradition for people to visit you in the home.

What is a mezuzah?

small box containing Torah affixed to gates and doorways

Why is the Mezuzah important?

It reminds those who leave and enter Jewish homes that the household is blessed

What is the Holy Arc?

an ornate cabinet that enshrines the sacred Torah scrolls used for public worship. Because it symbolizes the Holy of Holies of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, it is the holiest place in the synagogue and the focal point of prayer.

Define Synagogue

Jewish house of worship, comes from a Greek word for gathering together

What is the Bimah?

The elevated platform in a Jewish synagogue where the person reading aloud from the Torah stands during the service

What is the Torah Scroll?

is the centre of jewish life
torah means teaching, each scroll contains the Five Books of Moses

What is the ner tamid a reminder of?

When there was a flame burning in the menorah in the Temple at Jerusalem.

What is the Ner Tamid?

Eternal light above the ark

What is the Amud?

A lectern, where the prayer book is placed and read from.

What is a menorah?

a candelabra with 7 or 9 lights that is used in Jewish worship. The Hanukkah menorah has 9 branches

Define congregation

a local assembly of persons brought together for common religious worship

Who is a rabbi?

Jewish religious teacher

Who is the Cantor?

a member of the congregation who leads the prayers.

Who is the Gabbai

someone who keeps things organized and running smoothly in the synagogue

What is the Chanukah? Or Hanukah?

Chanukah is also known as Hanukkah, which is the Festival of Lights. This holiday honors the reclaim of the temple in around 165BC by the Maccabees. Chanukah is celebrated for 8 nights. During Chanukah, family say prayers and light candles. The candles are lit in menorah which is eight-branched. Family would also come together, playing games, giving, and even serving special foods.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year that is celebrated during the month of September. It last around two days of each year. The reason for the celebration of God's creation of the world. The usual way of celebration is to recite a special prayer of penitence. Then Jews would throw breadcrumbs in the water to symbolize the washing away of sins. Wearing new clothes and getting a haircut is customary during Rosh Hashanah.

What is Yom Kippur?

A day of atonement celebrated once a year by the Jews. Yom Kippur is known as the most sacred day of the year, it marks the highest point of the 10 Days of Awe. Yom Kippur is known as the day that god decides a person's faith. The holiday is performed with a 25 hour fast and a special religious service. Yom Kippur took place after the Israelites had been exiled from Egypt and had arrived at Mount Sinai.

What is Christianity?

-A diverse, 2000 year old religion followed by almost one third of the world's population!
-Based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of a first century Jew known as Jesus, believed to be the Christ (messiah, savior) by his followers (thus called "Christians")

What are the scriptures of Christianity?

- Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible)
- New Testament (Written after Jesus' death, by his followers during the first century, not canonized until the 4th century) includes the Four gospels, The Book of Acts of the apostles - earliest history of the developing church, Epistles ("letters") of Paul and other evangelists addressed to the churches they founded and led throughout the Mediterranean and The Book of Revelation - a vision of the future, the ultimate destiny of mankind, the culmination of God's plan for humanity

What does Christianity believe?

The "Christ" - born of a virgin in fulfillment of Jewish messianic expectation to be "king of the Jews"
• The "Son of God" - fully divine and fully human
• The savior of humanity - saving us from sin through his sacrifice on the cross
• Risen from the dead (resurrection) "on the third day" - overcoming death so that we too may have "eternal life"
• Ascended into heaven, residing with God "the father" to intervene on our behalf
• Will come again at the "end of days" to judge the living and the dead The Last Judgement by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

What is the Trinity?

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

What is the Eastern Orthodox Church?

The church created in the byzantine Empire after the church in the east separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the west
• The Eastern church: Orthodox Christianity
• Greek, Russian, Coptic, and other national churches of Eastern Europe, North Africa, and Asia

What is the Western Orthodox Church?

• The Western church: Roman Catholicism
• unified under the Pope (bishop of Rome)
• found throughout western Europe and the Americas
• Over 900 million (half of all Christians worldwide)

When did the 2 Christian churches split?

1054CE

What is the Great Schism?

The break of the communion between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Christian Church

What are Protestants? What are Catholics?

New branch of Christianity; former Catholics that left the Church to protest corruption.
Catholic Churches were decorated, had a lot of statues and artwork, wore rich garments...

Who is Martin Luther?

A german monk who was a leader of the Reformation.
• The Western church: Roman Catholicism
• unified under the Pope (bishop of Rome)
• found throughout western Europe and the Americas
• Over 900 million (half of all Christians worldwide)

What is The English Reformation?

King Henry VIII created the Protestantism and became "Supreme Head of the Church of England" (church of England split from Rome and become a new religion)
• Henry was in dispute with the Pope over divorcing his first wife, Catherine
• Wants to marry Anne Boleyn, who is about to give birth to his child.
• Pope refuses, as he's the cousin of Catherine
• Henry declares himself "Supreme Head of the Church," appoints his own Archbishop (church leader), and divorces Catherine.
• Nothing really changes for the average person in England

Queen Elizabeth I's contribution to Christianity

This "virgin" queen ruled England for 50 years and was one of the most successful monarchs in English History. She supported the arts, increased the treasury, supported the exploration of the New World, built up the military, and established the Church of England as the main religion in England
• Brings about a moderate reforms after her half-sister Catholic Queen Mary had reverted her father King Henry's changes.
• Elizabeth I's changes are known as the 'middle way'.
• English Prayer Book restored
• 39 Articles of Faith• Maintained independence from Rome
• The Church of England or Anglican Church is found all over the world today.
• In the United States, it's known as the Episcopalian Church after the American Revolution.

What is the New Testament about?

The salvation work of God through the history and activity as well as the teaching of Jesus. It is the second part of the Christian Bible.

What is the Protestant Reformation?

A political movement lead by Martin Luther after the 95 theses being written, which challenged some ideas believed and lead to Protestantism

Who is Jesus of Nazareth?

Real person
Born to Mary and Joseph
Had 3 names-Jesus bar Joseph, Jesus the Carpenter, and Jesus of Nazareth
Born around 6-4 B.C and died in 30 or 33
Jesus is the Son of God. He is also the Messiah and a Palestinian Jew

What are the images of Jesus?

-Teacher (Rabbi) - Taught in parables
-Healer - healed people of their illness
-Signs & Wonders - miracle
-Social Reformer - wanted an 'unbrokered' relationship with God
-Shepherd - cares for others

Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

-Conflict with Jewish and Roman authorities lead to his death by crucifixion 3 Days after his death - Empty Tomb, Jesus appears to disciples
-Jesus stays with Disciples 40 days then ascends to heaven

What does Jesus' arrival to earth symbolize?

-New Relationship with God (Life)
-Redemption of Humanity (Death on the Cross)
-New Life in Christ (Resurrection)
-Switching Allegiance/New King

What is the significance of Advent and Christmas?

Advent is the 4-week preparation for Christmas awaiting the Messiah
Christmas was the celebration of the Birth of Jesus that is 12 days long, with activities, midnight mass, 9 lessons and carols, and Christmas pageants

What is the Church?

Christian place of worship

What is a chapel?

A small building or room used for prayer. Part of an institution