Religion+Culture

Question 0

What is the literal meaning of the word “Islam”?

Answer 0

“Islam” literally means “submission (to the will of God).”

Question 1

What are the 13 Articles of Faith?

Answer 1

Principles of faith that summarize the fundamental beliefs of Judaism

• Belief in the 13 Articles of Faith is the minimum requirement for being a Jew, according to medieval Jewish philosopher Rabbi Maimonides
• However, almost all have been challenged at one time or another by various Jewish sects

Question 2

What is the main difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?

Answer 2

The main difference is the contrasting beliefs on who should be the successor of Muhammad.

• Sunnis believe that a caliph (head of state) should be elected by the whole community
• Shi’ites assert that only Allah himself can choose a leader, and that Muhammad’s only rightful successors are his descendants

Question 3

What are Hinduism’s three most important writings?

Answer 3

The Vedas
The Mahabharata
The Ramayana

Question 4

What are a few of Judaism’s sacred texts?

Answer 4

Tanakh (which contains the Torah)
Talmud
Midrash

Question 5

True or False: Hinduism is polytheistic.

Answer 5

False.

Hinduism asserts a single Supreme Being called Brahman, but incorporates the worship of several different gods that represent Brahman’s different aspects.

Question 6

In Judaism, what is the Tanakh?

Answer 6

The Tanakh is the whole Hebrew Bible.

• The Torah is only the first part
• Second part: Nevi’im (Prophets)
• Third part: Ketuvim (Writings)

Question 7

What is the Torah?

Answer 7

It contains the same first five books of the Christian Old Testament, and is also called the Five Books of Moses or the Pentateuch

(Judaism)

Question 8

What are the Vedas?

Answer 8

Major Hindu texts that include Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda

Question 9

At what place did Buddha achieve enlightenment?

Answer 9

Under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, which is still a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists today

Question 10

What is anicca?

Answer 10

Impermanence, one of the three Buddhist marks of existence

Anicca does not mean that all things cease to exist; rather, it means that all things must eventually change forms.

Question 11

What is dukkha?

Answer 11

“Suffering;” and is one of the Buddhist marks of existence

Question 12

What is the literal meaning of “Allah”?

Answer 12

The God

emphasis on The

Question 13

What is the central text of Islam?

Answer 13

the Qur’an

Question 14

What is muktuk?

Answer 14

the Inuit/Eskimo and chukchi meal of frozen whale skin and blubber

Question 15

What do Costa Ricans call themselves?

Answer 15

Ticos + Ticas

Question 16

What is the name of the bull in Hinduism that is associated with the deity Shiva?

Answer 16

Nandi

Question 17

Name the philosophical doctrine that suggests that life is without meaning or value.

Answer 17

Nihilism