Beliefs and religions

Question 1

Worldview

Answer 1

The lens in which people see the world

Question 2

Truth claims

Answer 2

We are given different ‘truth claims’ as to ‘what’ and ‘why’ we are here for. The are known as metaphysical questions - a metaphysical question is a question that relates to our purpose and meaning

Question 3

Humanism

Answer 3

Humanists believe that people should be able to pursue happiness whilst being considerate and kind to others. They believe in following ‘reason’ rather than superstition and believe that science can provide the answers to our existence

Question 4

Naturalism

Answer 4

Naturalists believe that all religious truth is based not on revelation but rather the study of natural causes and processes

Question 5

Hinduism Trimurti

Answer 5

Hindus believe that there is one reality found in Brahman and that the three gods, known as the Trimurti, portray his main functions

Question 6

Brahma

Answer 6

Brahma is the creator and source of creation

Question 7

Vishnu

Answer 7

Vishnu is the preserver, responsible for keeping all good things on Earth

Question 8

Shiva

Answer 8

Shiva is the destroyer which indicates that change is necessary for the creation of new things

Question 9

The three gods of Hindu (Trimurti)

Answer 9

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

Question 10

Hindu origin of the universe

Answer 10

There are various creation stories and beliefs regarding creation contained in the Hindu scriptures. Hinduism teaches that our is millions of years old and that there have been previous universes. Hindus believe that the universe will also end and a new one will form. The sound Aum is believed to be the first sound at the start of creation.

Question 11

Islam creation story

Answer 11

In the space before time began there was just Allah. When Allah wanted to create something all he had to say was ‘be’ and it became. Allah made the Earth and heavens, then all the animals. He made angels, sun, moon and stars to live in the heavens. He brought the rain and split the soil to bring the corn, fruit, flowers and trees. He ordered the angels to bring 7 handfuls of soil of different colours from this he made man and breathed life into him. Allah took man to live in Paradise and made woman out of mans side

Question 12

Islam - who is Muhammad

Answer 12

Muslims believe that, if Allah is an all-powerful God, then he neither sleeps or rests. This revelation was given to Muhammad, whom Muslims consider to be the last and greatest prophet

Question 13

5 pillars of Islam

Answer 13

The 5 pillars of Islam are - shahada, salat, zakah, sawm and hajj.

Question 14

Shahada

Answer 14

Shahada is the declaration of faith. It reads: “I bear witness that none deserves worship except God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

Question 15

Salat

Answer 15

Salat means pray 5 times a day.

Question 16

Zakah

Answer 16

Zakah means giving money to people who are poor or in need (charity). Every Muslims are expected to give 2.5% of the money they receive that year to charity.

Question 17

Sawm

Answer 17

Sawm is fasting (especially during the month of Ramadan)

Question 18

Hajj

Answer 18

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah. Every Muslim who can afford it are expected to visit Makkah at least once a year. For Muslims, Makkah is the most holy place because it is where Muhammad lived and worked.

Question 19

Muslim Holy Book

Answer 19

The Qur’an

Question 20

Muslim sacred text

Answer 20

The Qur’an is the holy book for Muslims which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years ago. It was also revealed in stages to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years.

Question 21

Christianity origin story

Answer 21

On the first day God made light and called it day and called darkness night.
On the second day God separated the waters. One was sky and one was sea. He added land as well.
On the third day God made plants and fruit.
On the fourth day God created stars and the moon.
On the fifth day God created animals of all kind.
On the sixth day God created humans (Adam and Eve) and on the seventh day God rested

Question 22

Life of Muhammad

Answer 22

Muhammad was born in Makkah (now called Saudi Arabia). He was born in 570 ce. One night Muhammad was meditating in a cave on Mount Hira when he had a vision. In his vision and angel called Jibril came to him carrying a cloth on which words were written. The angel said ‘recite!’ Muhammad said he couldn’t read then the angel repeated the command and he could read and understand the words. The angel said ‘Muhammad, you are Allah’s messenger. He preached to other people about Allah.

Question 23

Hindu creation story

Answer 23

A lotus flower grew from Lord Vishnu’s navel with Brahma sitting on it. Brahma separated the flower into 3 parts - the heavens, the Earth and the sky.