Religions Unit Review

Ritual

A repeated act, such as kneeling to pray, performed in a manner dictated by a religion to show reverence for a god or gods.

Sacrifice

The purposeful destruction of something valuable as an offering to the divine. Animal sacrifice was central to every preliterate religion. Human sacrifice was also practiced and was especially important to the Aztecs.

Tenochtitlan

One of the main cultural centers for the Aztec civilization. Said to be consecrated by both Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli. All religious ceremonies were held in the main temples. Tenochtitlan Temple Pyramid

Totemism

A belief that humans have a kinship with a spirit, or totem, such as an animal or plant. Traditionally, practiced among hunter-gather and mixed farming communities, such as the First Nations of Canada.

Quetzalcoatl

"The Plumed Serpent", the god of civilization who represents priesthood and learning.

Taboo

Taboo is based on moral judgments and religious beliefs that strongly prohibit certain social actions. If broken a person is shamed, ridiculed or exiled and can be cleansed through ritual. Traditionally, practiced by the people of the South Pacific.

Fetishism

Fetishism is the belief that certain objects have supernatural powers. These objects are usually idols or statues and may be made from bones, blood, fur, feathers, gems, or special plants. Common in West Africa

Yggdrasill

Creation was all tied together by this tree, Connected Asgard, Midgard and Hel.

Mana

Mana is the belief that a person, place, or thing has supernatural qualities. To have mana is to have influence and authority. Traditionally, common belief among the South Pacific people - particularly the Maori of New Zealand. In Maori culture, facial/body tattoos were a sign of great mana and status.

Ragnarok

A term from Norse mythology that refers to a series of catastrophic events that lead to the end of the world and the death of many gods and humans, followed by a rebirth and renewal of the world. Also means the ‘twilight of the gods’

Animism

The belief in supernatural power that organizes the universe. Spirits or gods might live in trees or animals or inanimate objects such as mountains. Followers pray to these gods or spirits for protection. Knocking on wood for good luck comes from the Druid's.

Pre-literate religion

- A Pre-Literate religion is a set of religious beliefs that is NOT set down in writing in holy books such as the Bible.
- They did NOT have holy books or complicated oral stories of God's lives, loves and battles like the ancient Greeks.
- They did not explain the world with science instead they developed myths to make sense of their world as they knew it, and offered explanations for why humans behaved the way they did.
- They were Polytheistic, which means they worshipped many gods.s.

Homer

First Teacher & Greatest of Epic Poets. Blind poet who created the Iliad and the Odyssey and began the western literary tradition Mythical beginnings for Greek history was a unifying force for the Greek people and became a "religious" document. Solidified the Epic genre

Valhalla

The Old Norse name for Valhalla is Valhöll, Valhalla means "hall of the fallen.". In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the hall of slain warriors, who live there blissfully under the leadership of the god Odin.

Who were the main gods of ancient egypt and how were they worshipped?

Isis, Osiris, and Set were the main gods.
- Egyptians built temple complexes along the Nile River

Describe the Egyptian process of artificial mumification

- Dehydrated body
- Wrap body in bandages
- Put organs in canopic jar
- put coffin, canopic jar, and wealth in tomb

What did Egyptians believe would happen to the body in the afterlife?

- Pass through the 7 gates
- Meet Osiris and have your heart weighed
- The heart is weighed on a scale by the jackal headed god Anubis against the feather of Ma'at
- Balancing the scale meant immortality
-If the scale did not balance then Amemt (crocodile headed god) would eat the heart, and Seth, murderer of Osiris ate the rest of the body

How did the geography of ancient Greece impact the development of language and religion?

each City-State or Polis had its own hinterland - Or Farmland

Due to the mountainous terrain of the region they were all separated they had their own languages and religious beliefs

How did ancient Greeks stay on the good side of their gods? How did literature inform their understanding?

- The Greeks honoured their gods by worshipping them and by holding festivals and games in their honour
- Early Greek literature included stories that taught lessons, and long poems that told of adventures

Discuss the impact Greek mythology has on popular culture.

Greek mythology is refrences common phrases or expressions

Trojan Horse
Herculean effort
Achilles Heel
Opening a Pandora's Box
Olympic Proportions
Midas touch
Titanic

What can you learn about the Aztecs by examining their religion?

- Human sacrifices were very important to them and the slaughtering of thousands of humans was seen as normal.
It was even seen as good because the more murder the better the gods would treat them

Explain the Aztec religious significance of human sacrifice.

The Aztecs believed that by performing these sacrifices that it gave power to the gods which in turn would insure the survival of the Aztec universe

How do Norse myths and sagas reflect the lifestyle of the Vikings?

-Importance of religion: Norse mythology was in everyday Viking life
-Warrior culture: sagas portrayed heroic battles and the Vikings were renowned warriors
-Expedition: Sagas depicted voyages set by skilled navigators with a desire for conquest which the Vikings are known for

How is Ragnarok similar to the Christian concept of the end of the world?

Both Christianity and Norse mythology use the concept of "Good vs Evil" in their apocalypse prophecies. For Christianity, it's Jesus vs the Antichrist, and for Norse, it's gods vs giants.

How is Norse mythology reflected in modern culture?

The names for the days of the week used in Norse mythology are retained in modern culture, albeit with different spelling.
Example: Thursday was known as "Thor's Day" to the Norse.

What elements do the religions we covered in this unit have in common?
(Refer to comparison chart)

All the religions believe in one sole creator who is responsible for everything that exists. Also, all the religions have their own belief systems that guide their respective communities on right/wrong and purpose.

How is a belief system transferred from one generation to the next?

A belief system is passed down primarily through religion as it often contains the moral values and beliefs of a community. Oral tradition is the main method of passing down a belief system, but written works have been used as well (Ex. Ten Commandments).