Hinduism
What does "Karma" mean?
Karma is the law of cause and effect - whatever goes out from people comes back to them. This can involve past lives for Hindus.
True or False - Buddhists are pacifists and do not engage in violence.
FALSE: There have been many battles fought between Buddhist groups, and there have been many monasteries with their own armies. There have also been wars between Buddhists and non-Buddhists, including the Tibetan Buddhists who fought invading British forces. Japanese Zen masters also supported the military expansion of the Japanese Empire.
What does someone mean when they call themselves a Secular Jew?
Secular Judaism refers to those who are adherents to the values of Judaism but who are divorced from the religious content.
What is the concept of the Trinity?
The concept of the Trinity holds that although God is one, God is also expressed in three personas: Father, or creator; Son, or redeemer (Jesus); and Holy Spirit, or sustainer.
TRUE: In Islam, Jesus is called "Isa" meaning "salvation of God" and is believed to be a prophet of God. Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the son of God, although they do believe he was born of a virgin. The prophet Jesus is mentioned more times in the Koran than the prophet Muhammad.
True or False: Hindus are polytheistic.
FALSE: Most sects of Hinduism believe that the various gods and goddesses are embodiments of the Divine Brahman - the ultimate reality. This type of belief can be described as "henotheistic."
True or False: Buddhists are polytheistic.
False. Buddhists do not believe in a creator god. They do believe in supernatural entities such as Devas and Bodhisattvas that can influence things here in our reality, but they believe that these beings are also caught in the cycle of birth and re-birth. Buddhism has been considered by many a "nontheistic" religion or a "trans-polytheistic" religion because of this.
Gautama Buddha himself, in early Buddhists texts, says he saw no one beginning and creation of the universe.
What two ways can someone be considered a Jew?
Their mother is Jewish or they have converted to Judaism.
What is "atonement?"
Christians believe that God redeemed the world through Jesus.
It is commanded in the Koran that Muslim women must wear what?
The hijab is a Koranic commandment and must be worn by Muslim women who have reached puberty. It is optional for Muslim women who have gone through menopause but it is suggested that they still wear it. This is due to the doctrine of modesty in the Koran, which applies to both men and women - this applies to modesty in looking, walking, and speaking.
What is Samsara?
The continual cycle of birth and rebirth (reincarnation) until one transcends all pain and pleasure and releases themselves from all fear and attachment.
What do Buddhists mean by following the "middle-way?"
Buddha didn't believe that one reaches Nirvana (release from suffering) by extreme pleasure or self-denial but by following a path in the middle of these two and focusing on purity of thought and deed.
What is the holiest of Jewish Holidays and what do Jews do on this day?
Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, is considered by many Jews as the holiest of Jewish holidays and is spent in fasting, prayer and confession.
Which sect(s) of Christianity do not celebrate Easter and Christmas?
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, United Church of God, Westboro Baptist Church, and several others don’t celebrate Christmas because “the Bible didn’t teach Christmas.”
True or False - Muslims are encouraged to prove God through science and reasoning as opposed to faith alone.
True. The Koran is a huge proponent of science, and encourages all Muslims to prove god through scientific thought and reason. Islam, in fact, was a huge conduit for the evolution of sciences such as mathematics and astronomy.
Why do Hindus wear Bindis?
Venerating the "third eye" and as a sign of marriage. Traditionally a red bindi means marriage and a black bindi means widowed.
What is "Buddha?"
A Buddha is a person who has achieved enlightenment. Siddharta Gautama was the first Buddha, although there have been many Buddhas after him and many more to come.
When is the Jewish Sabbath celebrated and how do Orthodox Jews and Reformed Jews celebrate this day differently?
Sundown on Friday until Sundown on Saturday.
Orthodox Jews will not use electronics, drive or work during the Sabbath where Reformed Jews are able to do all of these things.
What are the three major divisions of Christianity?
Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the celebration of the reception of the Qur’an - no eating, drinking, smoking or sexual intercourse while the sun is up for a month.
What is "Yoga?"
Yoga is the paths toward God / True Self and there are 4 of them: Jnana Yoga - the path of intellect, Bhakti Yoga - the path of love and devotion, Karma Yoga - the path of work, and Raja Yoga - the path of psychological experimentation.
What did Gautama Buddha learn when he meditated under the Bodhi tree?
The Four Noble Truths:
1. There is suffering
2. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment
3. Suffering can be overcome.
4. The way to end suffering is to follow the 8 Fold Path.
What is the Kabbalah?
The Kabballah is a mystical interpretation of Jewish scripture. It teaches about the unchanging, eternal God- —the mysterious Ein Sof ("The Infinite")—and the mortal, finite universe (God's creation).
What is the Emergent Church Movement?
A radical shift in the Christian church that challenges traditional Christian practices through the postmodern lens that emphasizes social justice, relativism, and a democratic style of leadership.
What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?
Profession of Faith, Ritual Prayer, Almsgiving, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.