Religion Flashcards
Judaism
Hebrews or Israelites
Judaism
common elements with Mesopotamian and Babylonian cultures
Torah/Tannakh
Judaism
24 books
Law (Torah)
Prophets (Nevi’im)
Writings (Ketubim)
Mishna
Judaism
collection of the oral tradition
Gemara
Judaism
collection of commentary by the rabbis (Teachers)
Halakah
Judaism
tradition of interpretation of law, history, and practice
Kabbalah
Judaism
body of Jewish mystical literature
Hebrews
Judaism
God chose these people from all the people of the earth and entered into a covenant with them. The life of the people is to be structured around the promises and commandments of God
Law
Judaism
provides structure of religious practice and daily life. The guide for making ethical choices that reflect and demonstrate their unique character as the chosen people for God
Sin
Judaism
destroys the proper relationship between the person and God. communal identity, and sin can be either individual or communal
Rules for Hebrews
Judaism
- avoid marriage to persons outside the faith
- observe certain dietary restrictions (kosher)
- shall not marry foreigners
- Circumcision of all males (obedience and indication of separateness of the people)
Prayer times
Judaism
Dawn
Noon
Dusk
for some, Bedtime
Sabbath
Judaism
Sunset on Friday until sunset of Saturday
Day of rest
gatherings for worship (readings, singing, prayer)
Beliefs of Judaism
- only one God with whom each believer has direct personal experience and to whom prayers may be addressed
- God is the ultimate authority and possess final dominion ober the universe, which God created
- Life is Holy
- Torah- guide to correct living and a source of continued revelation of the word of God
- Group worship and prater are indispensable elements of a righteous life
- Jews share a broad common diversity and a sense of collective purpose and responsibility to one another
Orthodox
Judaism
conducts worship in Hebrew and interprets the Law very strictly and literally
Reform
Judaism
attempted to integrate Judaism into the mainstream European culture. Law, doctrine, and ritual are more liberally interpreted, and dietary laws are not observed
Conservative
Judaism
combines doctrinal reform with traditional observance. attempt to retain much of the old orthodoxy while also staying in touch with contemporary culture has made Conservatives slower in embracing most of the changes of Reform Judaism
Christianity
God would sent a Messiah who would establish the Kingdom of God on earth
Jesus of Nazareth
Christianity
preaching repentance in preparation for the arrival of the kingdom of God. Preached a Kingdom of God not of this world
Beliefs of Christianity
!. Jesus is the Son of God- died on the cross as an offering sacrifice that saved us from sin
2. The Bible- old testament (adaptation of Hebrew scripture) and new testament (27 books)
- One God- creator and redeemer, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present
- Jesus is the unique Son, savior
Sabbath
Christianity
Sunday. Jesus believed to have risen from the dead on Sunday morning
reading of scripture, proclamation of word of God, prayer, observance of Sacraments
Roman Catholic & Easter Orthodox sacraments
Christianity
baptism confirmation marriage ordination anointing and absolution of the sick & dying confession of sins Holy Communion
Protestant sacraments
Christianity
Baptism
Holy Communion
Roman Catholics & Eastern Orthodox beliefs
Christianity
Existence of a purgatory, state in which some souls are purified for entry to heaven
10 Commandements
Christianity
of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus, which include the “Golden Rule”
Protestant Reformation
Christianity
several reformers split from the Roman Catholic Church over issues of belief and practice
Mohammed
Islam
preach Islam, religion revealed by angel Gabriel. descended from Abraham’s son Ishmael
word “Islam”
Islam
Arabic word meaning “peace”
“Hijrah”
Islam
Muslim community left Mecca for Medina. Beginning of the Muslim calendar
Beliefs of Islam
Islam
- One God for all, unique, merciful
- God created angels
- God sent many prophets with his message
- All people judged on day of Judgement. All individuals accountable for actions
- God has complete authority over Destiny
- This world is a temporary place. There is life after Death
Surahs
Islam
Revelations make up Islam’s holy scripture, Koran (reading
Hadith
Islam
Record of Mohammad’s sayings
Koran
Islam
relationship between God and his creatures. basic human concerns including wisdom, worship, and law. guide to a just society, human conduct, and equitable economic principles
Koran’s basic Principles
Islam
- One God
- Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca. Prayer direct link between worshipper and God
- practice charity for the welfare of the community. Setting aside a proportion of personal wealth for those in need purifies possessions and encourages new and fair growth
- Fasting- sunrise to sunset every day during Ramadan to cleanse the spirit. Focus on real purpose in life by staying away from worldly pleasures
- Pilgrimage- made if physically and financially possible. Pilgrims wear simple garments that are said to remove all distinction of class
Moral Principles
Islam
practice charity, humility, patience; forgive enemies, avoid avarice, lying; stay away from drinking, eating pork, gambling
Education
Islam
God has bestowed humans with the ability to lean, so it is their obligation to seek knowledge
“Jihad”
Islam
means “struggle”
Koran and women
Islam
women given right to earn their own living, choose marriage partners, own and dispose their personal property and earnings as they wish
Family
Islam
Foundation of society. Marriage is encouraged as sacred act and legal agreement between partners
Divorce
Islam
“despised” by God and as a betrayal of a sacred relationship. Emphasis is on live, fairness, and harmony in the relationship
Dress
Islam
men and women expected to dress and act in a modest and dignified manner
Hinduism
no identifiable founder
no single theological system
no single code of ethics
no central religious organization
“Henotheistic”
Hinduism
Recognizing a single God that is manifested or expresses itself in other gods and goddesses
Vedas
Hinduism
Chants of the priestly class of Aryand or “noble” people
Vedas central texts
Hinduism
Rig Veda- “hymn knowledge”
Yajur Veda- “Ceremonial Knowledge”
Sama Veda- “Chant knowledge”
Atharva Veda- “Knowledge from Atharve”, A Vedic teacher”
Brahmana
Aranyakas
Upanishads- collection of poetry and prose that explores the basic philosophical and spiritual concepts of Hunduism. Spiritual mastery is achievable by all who practice correct meditation and discipline
Ramayana
Mahabharata inclues Bahagavad Gita- teaches that duty (dharma) and action are equal to prayer and sacrifice as paths to spiritual perfection
Hinduism beliefs
- Worship is an individual or family matter
- Atman and Brahman- “soul and divine spirit”
- Brahman course and substance of all existence. When understood as the “self” of humans, called Atman
- Spiritual goal of H. is to understand and experience that there is no difference between one’s self and the rest of the universe
- Maya- describes the world, comes from the concepts of magic and matter. “illusion”. belief that the world has a ingle spiritual nature and is not divided into “things”
- Karma- moral consequence of every act in the course of human life
- Samsara- cycle birth and rebirth in life. Path of the soul through rebirth is determined by individual’s karma
- Moksha- “liberation” or “freedom”. Attained by freeing oneself of egotism and anger and losing one’s sense of individuality in Maya. The goal of H. is the achievement of recognition that one’s self is indistinguishable from Brahman
Beliefs of Hindus etc.
pursing worldly goals: including religious and social duty, economic security and power, and pleasure
Caste System
Hinduism
framework of society
- Priestly class
- Aristocratic protectors of society
- Class of merchants
- Landowners and moneylenders
- Laborers
Outside caste system- untouchables
Yoga
Hinduism
active path to spiritual perfection
Vishnu
Hinduism
force of preservation
Shiva
Hinduism
God of destruction
Brahma
Hinduism
Creative force
Most honorable animal
Hinduism
Cow
Buddhism
developed and taught by Siddhartha Gautama
Name Buddha
“Enlightenment”, the awakened one or the enlightened one.
Buddhist philosophy
Escape from life’s cycle of suffering through compassion, non-violenve, moderate living
Tipitaka
Hinduism
Written text
Sutas- teachings in the form of dialogues and sermons
Vinaya- rules for monastic life
Abhidharma- systematic ordering of the lessons of the sutras
Buddhist beliefs shared with Hinduism
cycle of birth and rebirth
Nirvana- escape from the cycle of rebirth
Buddhist teachings
nothing is permanent, including universal spirt of the self
constant change in the universe and that all things will, in time, decay and disappear
Buddhist beliefs
- Buddha is model of what all humans should aspire to become
- The overarching Buddhist worldview and way of life
- The community of Buddhist nuns and monks
4 Noble Truths
Buddhism
- all life involves suffering
- suffering is caused by desire
- desire can be overcome
- the way to overcome desire is to follow the eightfold path
Noble Eightfold Path
Buddhism
practice to understand the universe. live compassionately and to achieve peace and enlightenment
- right views
- right intentions
- right speech
- right conduct
- right work
- right effort
- right meditation
- right comtemplation
Theravada
Buddhism
person who has attained perfect enlightenment and the end of all desire
Mahayana
Buddhism
“bodhisattva” an enlightened person who postpones entry into Nirvana to help others
Vajrayana
Buddhism
emphasizes ritual, including the use of mantras (chants), hand gestures, mandalas (icons of the Universe), and prayer wheels
Confucianism
Buddhism
teachings of Confucius written down in ANALECTS. Writings deal with individual morality, ethics, and the correct exercise of power by rulers
Confucianism 5 Key Values
Buddhism
- Ren: reciprocal human feeling
- Yi: righteousness
- Li: Propriety, which includes ritually correct behavior
- Zhi: knowledge
- Xin: trustworthiness
Taoism
founded by Lao Tzu. Tao means path or way
central writing of Taoism
Tao Te Chine. Discuss nature of the Tao, which is the source and essence of all being
Taoist beliefs
- Tao is first cause of universe and the force that flows through all life
- Goal of each believer is to develop harmony with the Tao
- There are many Gods
- Answers to observation
- Time is cyclical
- Health and vitality are to be strengthened
- The five main organs of the body correspond to the 5 parts of the Universe: fire, water, metal, earth, & wood
- development of virtue is the chief goal of believers
- the three “jewels” to be cultivated in life are moderation, humility, & compassion
- Humans should allow nature to take its course
- One should carefully consider each action in advance
- One should be kind to others
- People are compassionate by nature
Yin and Yang
Taoism
balance and the essential unity of opposites in the Universe
Shinto
religion of Japan. Developed from native folk beliefs and involved the worship of spirits and demons in animals, trees, and mountains. Strongly influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism. NEVER had strong doctrines on salvation or life after death.
Deities
Shinto
created Japan and its people. Worshipping the emperor as a God
“Four Affirmations”
Shinto
- tradition and the family
- love of nature
- physical cleanliness
- Matsuri- honor and worship of the Kami and the ancestral spirits
