Unit Three Part Two: Religion and Ethnicity

Question 1

Animism

Answer 1

Belief that objects, such as plants and stones, or natural events, like thunderstorms and earthquakes, have a discrete spirit and conscious life.

Question 2

Autonomous Religion

Answer 2

A religion that does not have a central authority but shares ideas and cooperates informally.

Question 3

Branch

Answer 3

A large and fundamental division within a religion

Question 4

Caste

Answer 4

The class or distinct hereditary order into which a Hindu is assigned according to religious law.

Question 5

Denomination

Answer 5

A division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations in a single legal and administrative body.

Question 6

Ethnic Religion

Answer 6

A religion with a relatively concentrated spatial distribution whose principles are likely to be based on the physical characteristics of the particular location in which its adherents are concentrated.

Question 7

Fundamentalism

Answer 7

Literal interpretation and strict adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect).

Question 8

Hierarchical Religion

Answer 8

A religion in which a central authority exercises a high degree of control.

Question 9

Monotheism

Answer 9

the doctrine or belief that there is only one God.

Question 10

Pagan

Answer 10

A follower of a polytheistic religion in ancient times.

Question 11

Pilgrimage

Answer 11

A journey to a place considered sacred for religious purposes.

Question 12

Polytheism

Answer 12

The belief in or worship of more than one god.

Question 13

Sect

Answer 13

A relatively small group that has broken away from an established denomination.

Question 14

Universalizing Religion

Answer 14

A religion that attempts to appeal to all people, not just those living in a particular location.

Question 15

Shamanism

Answer 15

Form of a tribal religion that involved community acceptance of a shaman, a religious leader, healer, and worker of magic who, through special powers, can intercede with and interpret the spirit world.

Question 16

Syncretism

Answer 16

The blending traits from two different cultures to form a new trait.

Question 17

Zionism

Answer 17

A worldwide movement, originating in the 19th century that sought to establish and develop a Jewish nation in Palestine. Since 1948, its function has been to support the state of Israel.

Question 18

Agnosticism

Answer 18

Belief that nothing can be known about whether God exists

Question 19

Atheism

Answer 19

Belief that God does not exist

Question 20

Secularism

Answer 20

A doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations.

Question 21

Apartheid

Answer 21

Laws (no longer in effect) in South Africa that physically separated different races into different geographic areas.

Question 22

ethnic cleansing

Answer 22

Process in which more powerful ethnic group forcibly removes a less powerful one in order to create an ethnically homogeneous region

Question 23

Ethnicity

Answer 23

Identity with a group of people that share distinct physical and mental traits as a product of common heredity and cultural traditions.

Question 24

Genocide

Answer 24

The mass killing of a group of people in an attempt to eliminate the entire group from existence

Question 25

Race

Answer 25

Identity with a group of people descended from a common ancestor.

Question 26

Racism

Answer 26

Belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

Question 27

Sharia

Answer 27

Body of Islamic law that includes interpretation of the Quran and applies Islamic principles to everyday life

Question 28

Theocracy

Answer 28

A government controlled by religious leaders

Question 29

Diaspora

Answer 29

A dispersion of people from their homeland (Jews outside of Israel)

Question 30

Karma

Answer 30

The belief that actions in this life, whether good or bad, will decide your place in the next life (Hinduism/Buddhism)

Question 31

Christianity

Answer 31

A monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior.

Question 32

Islam

Answer 32

A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Mohammed which stresses belief in one god (Allah), Paradise and Hell, and a body of law written in the Quran. Followers are called Muslims.

Question 33

Judaism

Answer 33

A religion with a belief in one god. It originated with Abraham and the Hebrew people. Yahweh was responsible for the world and everything within it. They preserved their early history in the Old Testament.

Question 34

Hinduism

Answer 34

A religion and philosophy developed in ancient India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being who takes many forms

Question 35

Buddhism

Answer 35

the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth

Question 36

Sikkhism

Answer 36

Monotheistic religion founded in South Asia in the late 15th century by Guru Nanak as a reaction to perceived problems with the teachings of Islam and Hinduism