Exam review world religions Flashcards
A person who doubts that humankind can know the existence of a possible God and the possible existence of anything beyond this life
Agnostic
One who holds that no God exists
Atheist
A philosophy or set of beliefs
Credo
A system of morals; rules for human conduct
Ethics
An adherent of humanism; an outlook or system of thought that views humankind, rather than spirituality or religion, as the source of all meaning.
Humanist
The universal urge to believe in something beyond ourselves
Religious Impulse
A prescribed religious procedure or performance
Ritual
Connected with religion
Sacred
Concerned with or belonging to the material world
Secular
Doctrine of nonviolence towards all living creatures
Ahimsa (H)
One who practices very strict devotions using severe self denial
Ascetic (B)
A compassionate being who enlightens themselves and helps others to be enlightened
Bodhisattva
The ruler and spiritual leader of Tibet
Dalai Lama
Understanding the truth of life by attaining freedom from ignorance
Enlightenment
“Action” or law of the cause and effect; the totality of one’s thoughts and actions that determines one’s fate in the next life
Karma
Symbolic phrases that are chanted
Mantras
A method of calming and training the mind through concentration
Meditation
An everlasting state of great joy and peace resulting from the end of desire and suffering
Nirvana
The transference of consciousness into new bodies; being born again
Reincarnation
The universal soul and supreme being; the eternal being from which all things originate from and to which they return
Brahman
The highest member of the Hindu caste
Brahmin
Religious or moral duty
Dharma
A spiritual teacher or guide who can help one achieve moksha or salvation
Guru
A common thanksgiving ritual that involves the offerings of flowers, food and articles to the deities
Puja
Belief in many Gods
Polytheism
Endless cycle of rebirth
Samsara
A practice or discipline combining philosophy with physical exercise and meditation; union with God
Yoga
The religious initiation ceremony of a Jewish boy who turned 13/Jewish girl who turned 12-13. The term means “son/daughter of the commandment”
Bar/bat mitzvah
As used in the Bible, a solemn and binding agreement between God and humanity.
Covenant
A small circular cap worn by Jewish men, also called a yarmulke
Kippah
Fulfilling the requirements of Jewish dietary laws of Kashrut
Kosher
A commandment from God, the act of performing a good deed. The most well known mitzvah are the 10 commandments
Mitzvah
Believing in only one God
Monotheistic
A person who receives a message from God and delivers that message to God’s people. The message belongs to God, with the prophets only acting as the messengers.
Prophet
A Jewish scholar or teacher, especially of the law, a person appointed as a Jewish religious leader.
Rabbi
The remaining part of King Herod’s temple in Jerusalem where Jews traditionally pray and lament on Fridays
Western Wall
Sacrament in some churches in which person acknowledges, to a priest or confessor, wrongs committed and receives forgiveness from God
Confession aka reconciliation
Follower of Jesus Christ during his public ministry; includes but not limited to, the 12 apostles.
Disciple
Day of God’s final judgment at the end of the world, then the faithful will go to heaven
Last Judgment
Someone who has suffered or died for their religion
Martyr
Roman Catholics believes that the pope cannot err when speaking on matters of faith and morals in his role as head of the church
Papal Infallibility
Type of short story often used by Jesus to teach an important truth or lesson in morality
Parable
Division of the Church into separate, and often hostile, groups because of strong differences in opinion
Schism
Changing of bread and wine into the substance of the body and blood of Christ during Holy Communion
Transubstantiation
Christian belief that there are 3 persons in one God: The Father, the son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
Trinity
Pilgrimage to Makkah; the 5th pillar of the Islamic faith
Hajj
A headscarf worn by women as a sign of modesty
Hijab
The worshipping of objects, usually sculptures or paintings, as gods.
Idolatry
Muslim prayer leader
Imam
A cube shaped building that Abraham built under divine inspiration and dedication to the One God
Ka bah
The ascension of Muhammad into heaven
Mi raj
Ritual prayer or service of worship that takes place before dawn, early afternoon, late afternoon, soon after sunset and then an hour and a half later in the evening; the second pillar of Islamic faith
Salat
Mandatory facing during Ramadan, the 9th month. Muslims may fast in several other occasions in addition to this. This is the 4th pillar of the Islamic faith
Sawm
The islamic creed or declaration of faith: there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger
This the 1st pillar of islamic faith.
Shahadah
Giving alms to the poor and needy: the 3rd pillar of Islamic faith
Zakat
