WORLD RELIGIONS MIDTERM REVIEW Flashcards
aboriginal
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
ones that have been there since the earliest known times or that were there before people or animals from other countries arrived
complementary dualism
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
belief that two entities can exist together and supplement each other in a harmonious way
conflict dualism
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
belief that two entities are in constant opposition and will never be able to coexist peacefully
cosmology
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
the study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe
cosmogony
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
branch of religion that studies the origin + development of the universe, usually from a religious perspective
eschatology
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
branch of theory that focuses on the end of time and the ultimate destiny of humanity
ghost dance
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
religious ritual originating in the late 1880s. ritual of renewal and spiritual healing
mana
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
a spiritual power or force in many religions and cultures, believed to be of a supernatural source
oral traditions
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
traditional songs, stories, customs and beliefs passed down orally from generation to generation
shaman
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
a person believed to achieve various powers through trance or acstatic religious experience
sun dance
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
a ceremony in Native American religious traditions that honors the sun, giving thanks to the gifts of the sun, such as light and health
syncretism
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
combining of different beliefs and practices from various religious and cultural traditions in order to form a new, blended belief system
revitalization movements
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
religious movements aimed at restoring vitality and enthusiasm for a particular faith or dominion
ritual
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
symbolic activities performed within a religious or spiritual context
taboo
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
a religious or cultural prohibition against an act or behavior, usually based on religious beliefs, societal norm, or traditions
trickster
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
a figure or spirit in many religions, myths, and stories who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior
totem
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
objects, animals, or symbols believed to possess spiritual or religious significance to a person, family, or group of people
yoruba
(indigenous religions & theory of religion)
an African traditional religion that is based on the worship of ancestors, gods, and spirits (includes practice of divination and sacrifice + belief in reincarnation)
apocalypse
(judaism)
the end of days, when the messiah will come and the world will be redeemed + perfected
ashkenazi
(judaism)
a Jewish ethnic group descended from Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe; known for their unique religious practices and culture, as well as their dinstinctive language and liturgy
bar mitzvah
(judaism)
a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony that marks a boy’s transition into adulthood; typically celebrated when a boy is 13
diaspora
(judaism)
refers to Jews who are disperesed among other nations, but still remain connected to their Jewish identity + faith
exile
(judaism)
refers to the state of being seperated or removed from one’s homeland (result of Jewish diaspora)
exodus
(judaism)
refers to the story of Ismaelites leaving slavery in Egypt and moving to the Promised Land
hasidism/hasidic
(judaism)
branch of Orthodox Judaism that emphasizes importance of spirituality, personal religious experience, and the study of Hasidic texts (emphasizes joy and devotion)
holocaust
(judaism)
term used to refer to the mass genocide of Jews during WWII
kabbalah
(judaism)
branch of Jewish mysticism that docuses on the spiritual understanding of the divine and human relationship (believed to give practitioners a deeper understanding of the divine, Torah, and the universe)
kosher
(judaism)
set of dietary laws in Judaism that outline which foods are permissible to eat and how they should be prepared
masada
(judaism)
a symbol of Jewish heroism and courage in the face of overwhelming odds; a reminder of the bravery of the Jewish people in their struggle for survival
menorah
(judaism)
a symbol of the Jewish people and is often used to represent the idea of divine light and the historical connection w/ the Temple of Judaism
mishnah
(judaism)
the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral tradition known as Oral Torah. provides legal foundation for interpretation of the Torah + serves basis for Jewish religious law
passover
(judaism)
a Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt; celebrated w/ the Seder meal which includes sumbolic food items, prayers and rituals
pentateuch
(judaism)
the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Torah, which are the foundation of Jewish law and tradition
rabbi
(judaism)
a Hebrew title for a Jewish religious teacher or leader who has studied and been ordained w/ Jewish law + tradition
sabbath
(judaism)
seventh day of the week and is observed as a day of rest and spiritual renewal in Judaism
seder
(judaism)
a ritual meal that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover
sephardic
(judaism)
spanish Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism or face expulsion from Spain after 1492
synagogue
(judaism)
a Jewish house of worship
talmud
(judaism)
the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and is the basis for Jewish law + tradition; a collection of rabbinic discussions and teachings on a wide range of topics
tanakh
(judaism)
the Hebrew acronym for the three parts of the Jewish Bible: Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim
torah
(judaism)
refers to the five books of Moses which are foundational texts in Jewish scripture
yarmulke
(judaism)
(or kippah) is a brimless, circular cap worn by Jewish men and boys in observance of Jewish law
yiddish
(judaism)
a language of Ashkenazi Jews, and it has become a cultural language for Jews worldwide
apostles
(christianity)
the first followers of Jesus and the leaders of the early Christian church
atonement
(christianity)
the process by which Christians believe that sins are forgiven by Jesus Christ’s death + resurrection (central belief in Christianity)
baptism
(christianity)
a Christian sacrament that symbolizes the cleansing and renewal of a believer’s commitment to Jesus Christ
bishop
(christianity)
a leader in the Christian church who oversees a group of churches, called a diocese
canon
(christianity)
refers to the set of books accepted by the Christian church as divinely inspired and constituting the Christian Bible
christ
(christianity)
seen as the son of God and the savior of manking in Christianity
creeds
(christianity)
a statement of Christian beliefs, such as the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed
ecumenism
(christianity)
the movement to promote unity and cooperation among Christian denominations
eucharist
(christianity)
a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ (believers partake in the body + blood of Jesus Christ to symbolize their unity to him)
evangelical
(christianity)
type of Protestant Christianity that emphasizes a personal relationship w/ Jesus Crhist + the authority of scripture
good friday
(christianity)
the day on which Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death
gospel
(christianity)
the good news of salvation of Jesus Christ (central message of the Christian faith)
incarnation
(christianity)
the belief that God became human in the form of Jesus Christ
logos
(christianity)
a term used in Christian theology to refer to the Word of Godm or the divine reason and will
mass
(christianity)
the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of Communion or the Lord’s Supper
mysticism
(christianity)
a spiritual practice of seeking a direct experience of God or union w/ the divine through prayer + contemplation
original sin
(christianity)
the doctrine that himans are born into sin due to the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (all people have the tendency to do wrong and are unable to do good w/o God’s help
passion
(christianity)
a deep and abiding love for God and his teachings
pope
(christianity)
head of the Catholic Church and leader of the worldwide Catholic Church
predestination
(christianity)
belief that God has predeteremined all events in the world, including who will be saved or lost
purgatory
(christianity)
a state or place of purification in which souls undergo penance for their sins before entering into heaven
sacrament
(christianity)
a symbolic act that signifies God’s grace and presence
syncretism
(christianity)
blending of beliefs and practices from different Christian denominations
transubstantiation
(christianity)
belief that during the Eucharist, the bread & wine become the body and blood of Christ
trinity
(christianity)
the belief that God is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
caliph
(islam)
the title of a leader in the Muslim community, a successor to the Prophet Muhammad
dhimmis
(islam)
non-Muslims living in an Islamic state who are given protection by the state in exhange for taxation
eid al-Adha
(islam)
Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to scrafice his son, Ismael
eid al-Fitr
(islam)
Islamic festical marking the end of Ramadan
hadith
(islam)
a body of reports containing the traditions or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (source of Islamic law + guidance)
hajj
(islam)
a pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam
halal
(islam)
any action or behavior that is permissable to Islamic Law
hijab
(islam)
a form of modest Islamic dress worn by Muslim women, which covers their head + chest
imam
(islam)
an Islamic term referring to the leader of Muslim prayer services and a spiritual guide
iman
(islam)
the belief in the 6 articles of faith, known as Arkan Al Iman
jihad
(islam)
the spiritual stuggle within oneself against sin & temptation, and to strive in the path of God
nabi
(islam)
Arabic term meaning “prophet”
qiblah
(islam)
concept of the direction of prayer, indicated by architectural arrangement
qu’ran
(islam)
central religous text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
ramadan
(islam)
Islamic holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer (seen as a time to purify the soul)
rasul
(islam)
Arabic term meaning “messanger of God”
shahadah
(islam)
the Islamic declaration of faith, meaning “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messanger of faith”
shari’ah
(islam)
an Islamic law based on the teachings of Qur’an + Sunnah (a set of rules and regulations governing the behavior of Muslims)
shi’ah
(islam)
an interpretation of Islam that emphasizes the spiritual leadership of the Imams, descendents of the Prophet Muhammad
shaykh
(islam)
an honorific title given to a respected spiritual leader in Islam
sunni
(islam)
one of the two main branches of Islam (emphasizes importance of the consensus of the Muslim community (umma) and a literla interpretation of the Qur’an)
shi’a
(islam)
a branch of Islam that believes in the infallibility of Muhammad’s family, w/ Ali ibn Abi Talib as the first Imam
sufism
(islam)
a form of Islamic mysticism that emphasizes spiritual growth through personal introspection + discipline
surah
(islam)
Arabic term meaning “chapter” and refers to a chapter in the Qur’an
