Gods
Which three world religions can be described as monotheistic?
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Where was the birthplace of Christianity?
The birthplace of Christianity was a territory at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans called it Judea. It had once been a part of the ancient Kingdom of Israel.
What do Christians say proved that Jesus was the holy savior?
His death and ressurection.
According to Christians, what is the purpose of the sacrament of baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament that makes a person a member of the Christian church.
Which popular physical activity has origins in Hindu ideas and practice? (Hint: You might do this to stretch in PE class.)
Yoga has origins in Hindu ideas and practices. It has gained a following around the world.
Which religion is polytheistic, or, worships many different gods?
Hinduism
What was the Jewish Diaspora?
The Jewish Diaspora was the spread of the Jewish people outside their homeland, beginning about 586 B.C.E. when the Babylonians forced the Jews to Leave Jerusalem.
Jewish people identify this prophet as the patriarch of their religion, because they believe he made a covenant with God securing his blessing.
Abraham
What do most Hindus and Buddhists believe about reincarnation?
Souls are reborn into a different body. But by living a spiritual life, Hindus and Buddhists believe they can free themselves from karma and end the cycle of rebirth.
Why did Christianity adapt to local cultures in the Americas?
Christian beliefs blended with native traditions, producing a faith that was more meaningful to the local population.
According to Christian teaching, what is the Trinity?
According to Christian teaching, God consists of three beings in one -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- in a union known as the Trinity.
Where did Islam emerge, and how did it spread through the Middle East?
Islam emerged in Mecca, a city that is now in Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe that in 610 CE, an angel revealed the word of God/Allah to Muhammad. Muhammad spread Islam through Arabia, and after his death in 622, his followers spread the faith to North Africa, India, Asia, and Europe.
Which prophet/major figure's ideas spread only after their death?
Kongfuzi was a Chinese teacher whose ideas influenced the lives of millions of people. His western name was Confucius. However, his ideas did not become popular until some of his disciples collected his ideas in a book called "Analects."
Why did Confucius believe people should honor and respect their elders?
Confucius said that filial piety—respect of children for their parents—was critical to the social order.
Why do Jews set aside a holy day each week, and what is it called?
Jews set aside a holy day each week, called the Sabbath, for rest and prayer.
Why are Buddhism and Confucianism sometimes described more as a philosophy than as a religion? (Hint: They are lacking something that is very important to the other religions.)
Neither religion has any official gods, though some sects may believe in and worship spirits.
Both religions are more concerned with how people live their daily lives, not what happens in the afterlife.
What institutions did Buddhists create to help promote the spread and study of Buddhist thought?
Buddhists opened monasteries to promote the spread and study of Buddhist thought, which in turn influenced society and government.
According to Buddhist tradition, what did Prince Siddharatha Gautama see and experience for the first time when he walked away from the comforts of princely life?
At the age of 29, Prince Siddhartha Gautama was shocked by seeing the pain and suffering that is an inevitable part of life. He decided to leave his comfortable life in search of a greater truth.
Why does Buddhist teaching identify desire as the root of all suffering, and what does it propose as the way to end suffering?
In the Four Noble Truths, Buddhism teaches that suffering, change, and loss are inevitable. Desire for pleasure, power, or possessions and emotional attachment to things that might change or be lost is the cause of suffering. Buddhists believe that following the Eightfold Path, a person can remove desire.
What is the Hajj?
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims are encouraged to undertake it at least once in their lifetime.
How does the belief in many different gods contribute to there being many different ways that people practice Hinduism?
Although Hindus believe in the same gods, some individuals or sects might chose to focus on a specific god. Their worship and practices may be different depending on the supernatural aspects and natural forces associated with that god.
Confucius was born during the Zhou dynasty. At that time, how did many Chinese view their emperor?
China was in turmoil. The central government had lost control and civil wars ravaged the land. For many Chinese, this was a sign that their ruler had lost the Mandate of Heaven.
How do Christian and Islamic beliefs about Jesus Christ differ?
Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God and that his teachings are the final revelation of God's Word.
Muslims believe that Jesus was an important prophet, but God/Allah revealed his final word, the Qur'an, through Mohammad.
How can religions intersect with the themes of world history-- economic structures, social structures, political structures, human-environment interaction or cultural exchange?
(answers will vary)
How does taking a civil service exam in China relate to Confucianism?
Knowledge of the Confucian classics has traditionally been the basis of the state civil service exam in China.