World Religions Exam Review Section

Main Idea

Concepts, Phrases, Events, etc.

General

Students should know the basic beliefs, major texts or doctrine, and important persons / figures for each of the major living religions.

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Religion

2

Basic Religions and Mythology

3

Hinduism

4

Buddhism

5

Eastern Religions

6

7

8

Judaism

Christianity

Islam

9

New Age

10

Current Issues

Purposes Characteristics / Types Syncretism Definition Monism / Dualism Symbols Morals / Ethics Use of art Monolithic Impact on the environment Common core characteristics Myth / Mythology Animism Polytheism Ancestor worship Use of drugs Creation / End of World / Flood myths Fable Legend Law of Manu Vedas Reincarnation Caste System Holy Days Moksha Untouchables Ramayana Bhagavad-Gita Karma Jainism Dharma Four Noble Truths Sangha Sutras Theravada Dalai Lama Dhammapada Mahayana Koan Zen Mandela Pure Land Holy Days Yin and Yang Filial piety Zoroastrianism Confucianism Daoism Abraham Torah Tanakh Conservative

Concept of God Monotheism Orthodox Reform

Jesus New Testament Paul Roman Catholicism Sunni Shiite Sufi Qur’an

Noah Holy Days / Calendar Messiah Prophets

Protestantism Protestant Reformation Holy Days / Calendar Greek / Orthodox Catholicism Jihad Haddith Holy Days Five Pillars

Six Basic Beliefs

Spirituality Unitarian Wicca New Age general beliefs Feminism Science and Religion Evolution vs. Creationism Evangelicalism

Fundamentalism Religion and culture Secularism

World Religions Review The exam consists of 70 multiple choice questions.  The emphasis of the course and the exam are on the concepts listed below although not all are directly tested. Knowing each of these concepts will provide students with a strong, general knowledge of the religions and will help them (directly or indirectly) pass the exam. The reference for each question is the Molloy textbook.  The course should place a strong emphasis on the analysis of common primary source material and comparatives; less on history although students should be able to place the world’s religions development in chronological order and generally trace the development of each religion. Current challenges faced each of the religions is an important part of the course, but is not tested on the exam.  There are ten reading questions involving primary source material; one picture related question Section

Main Idea

General

1

Religion

Concepts, Phrases, Persons, Events, etc. Students should know the following about each of the major religions:  When, where founded and by who if applicable  Basic beliefs  Major texts or doctrine  Important persons / figures for each of the major living religions Definition Purposes Characteristics / Types Syncretism Common core characteristics Symbols like water, ashes Use of art - in general only. Students are NOT required to know specific examples of religious art music, or architecture for the exam Monolithic Impact on the environment Morals / Ethics General concepts and challenges associated with the study of religion – but not the academicians themselves or their theories Monotheism, Polytheism, Monism, Pantheism, Panentheism, Atheism, Agnosticism, Nontheism Sacred vs. profane The Religious Experience

1

2

Indigenous Religions and Mythology

Confucianism 3

4

5

6

Daoism (Taoism)

Shinto

Hinduism

Myth / Mythology Animism Polytheism Ancestor worship / veneration Shamans Use of drugs Rites of passage Confucius The Analects The Five Confucian Relationships Filial piety Social Harmony Lao Tzu Tao te Ching Tao (The Way) Individualism Shinto as indigenous religion of Japan Kami Torii

Vedas Law of Manu Upanishads Caste System and the Untouchables Holy Days (annual) Bhagavad-Gita Ramayana Food restrictions Karma Reincarnation Dharma Moksha The Yogic Disciplines (Raja, Bhakti, etc.)

2

7

Buddhism

8 Jainism

Siddhartha Gautama Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path Monastery and the Sangha Sutras (in general, not specific ones) Theravada Mahayana Tantric Zen Koan Pure Land Mandala Dalai Lama Prayer Wheels and Flags Ahimsa Asceticism Relationship to Hinduism and Buddhism Guru Nanak Know what elements Sikhism takes from and rejects from both Hinduism and Islam

9

Sikhism

10

Zoroastrianism

11

Judaism

Zoroaster The Avesta Fire Temples Dualism and Free Will Judgment Day Death rites Influence on Judeo-Christian-Islamic beliefs Parsis Abraham, Noah, Moses Influence of Mesopotamia, Egypt Concept of God Monotheism Ethical monotheism, Mosaic Law Tanakh Torah Talmud

3

Judaism (cont’d)

12

Christianity

13

Islam

Orthodox Conservative Reform Role of the Prophets Food restrictions - kosher Messiah Holy Days / Calendar Diaspora Synagogue Holocaust theology Jesus New Testament Paul Mary Holy Days / Calendar Roman Catholicism Petrine Principal Greek / Orthodox Catholicism Sacraments Protestant Reformation Protestant Principles Pope, Patriarch, priest, pastor / minister Heresy Muhammad Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem Five Pillars of Islam Jihad Sunni Shiite Sufi Qur’an Hadith Sharia Law Holy Days Use of images Imam Food restrictions

4

14

New Age / Alternative Religions

General beliefs of New Age spirituality Monism Pantheism Unitarian Wicca Baha’i Rastafarianism

Notes:   

I have tried to focus this list on what I generally teach and what is on the exam. As noted above, several of the concepts are important but may not be covered on the exam. You may use this as a handout to students or, preferred, develop your own review activity using this list as a reference. If you have any questions or would like clarification – please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]

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