DSST Introduction To World Religions

Instructions:

• Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
• If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
• Match each statement with the correct term.
• Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. The clover leaf is a good way to illustrate the mystery of...
Reconcile Aristotle's work with their religions.
The Trinity
Upanishads
Meditation - Nonviolence - Self-Denial


2. The Church of England/Anglican Church was a compromise that resulted in...
Angels - heaven - and hell
Religious practice of ancient Egyptians
Protestant doctorine but Catholic ritual
The first week of mourning after a death


3. Hindus view 'dharma' as a duty - or moral code of action - whereas to Buddhists 'dharma' is...
The teachings of Buddha - or religious truth.
A supreme being
Jesus is the son of God
Achieved enlightenment


4. Religions typically do not include...
God's goodness can heal illness as well as sin
Monasticism
Celebrates the birth of Krishna - the incarnation of the god Vishnu - the protector and preserver.
David


5. The purpose of the Catholic sacrament of Anointing the Sick is to...
Benevolence
Were political rulers; The caliphs were considered successors to Muhammad - but after the first four - caliphs were political - rather than both political and religious - leaders
Lack of hierarchical structure; Unlike the Roman Catholic Church that has the pope at its head - Eastern Orthodox churches are ruled by a network of patriarchs.
Confer special grace on the gravely ill person


6. What is not a reason fundamentalist movements in any religion usually develop?
The desire to convert nonbelievers and spread the religion
Christians' belief in an immortal soul; Native Americans in general believe that if people forget the dead - over time their souls will cease to exist.
Both branches of Buddhism believe that Gautama Buddha is one of many Buddhas; Theravada Buddhists see Gautama as a saint and great teacher and Mahayana Buddhists see him as a savior who helps others to enlightenment.
A path to release the mind from distractions


7. In an effort to become less isolated from their non-Jewish communities - Reform Jews in the 19th century...
It is the revealed word of God; Muslims believe that God revealed his message to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.
Eased kosher restrictions;
Eating pork
The split into Sunni and Shi'a branches of Islam


8. What contribution did Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon) make to Jewish thought?

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


9. The Jews who were expelled from Spain and Portugal in the 15th century were known as...
Judaism - Christianity - and Islam
Enter the state of nirvana - or enlightenment
A group's identification with an animal - which is a totem
Sephardim


10. The best explanation of why Muslims pray prostrate on the ground is...
Roman Catholicism; Roman Catholics have a special devotion to the Virgin Mary that is a major difference with other Christian denominations.
Venerate and fear ancestors - Have healers; Are localized; Hinduism does not share any of these characteristics. The only trait that African religions have in common with Hinduism is that Hinduism and African religions are polytheistic.
To show their humility before Allah
'Chuang Tzu'


11. Muslims and Christians both believe...
Compassion
Loyalty
Profess one's Islamic faith
In a final Judgment Day; Both Muslims and Christians believe that there will be a Judgment Day when the dead will be raised up.


12. Emphasis on the proper relations between individuals as a means to perfection is the central element of...
Confucianism
Filial piety
Is a righteous God who demands moral and ethical behavior from people
It describes Allah as a strict - distant - and unresponsive god


13. How do Mahayana Buddhists and Theravada Buddhists view Gautama?
The caste system is both religious and social in nature.
The sun goddess - believed to be the direct ancestor of the Japanese emperor - and a very important deity in Shinto.
Shinto; The Japanese government set up national shrines - mandated the teaching of Shinto in schools - and used State Shinto to further its military aims. It was banned after World War II.
Both branches of Buddhism believe that Gautama Buddha is one of many Buddhas; Theravada Buddhists see Gautama as a saint and great teacher and Mahayana Buddhists see him as a savior who helps others to enlightenment.


14. What statement about the Qur'an is not true?
Were political rulers; The caliphs were considered successors to Muhammad - but after the first four - caliphs were political - rather than both political and religious - leaders
Both the Pentateuch and all oral and written teachings of Judaism
Judaism; Islam; Traditional African religions
It describes Allah as a strict - distant - and unresponsive god


15. The Messiah according to Judaism will NOT...

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


16. In the thinking of many Buddhist sects - to love any person or any thing is...
Baal Shem Tov
Modern Iraq; A theocracy is a government in which the power and authority comes either because the ruler is considered a god (Egypt under the pharaohs) or a representative of God on earth (John Calvin's Geneva and Massachusetts Bay).
A distraction from seeking salvation; For these sects - any attachment is a distraction and must be renounced
Who would appoint bishops


17. A rite of passage in Judaism is...
Circumcision; The ceremony of circumcision - known as brit - marks the entrance of a male child into Judaism.
Can be entered by living a good life and reciting the name of Amitabha
Episcopalianism
Moksha


18. Mahayana Buddhists believe that Gautama Buddha was not one of the following...
Orthodox
The representation of an eternal Buddha; one of many Buddhas
Jesus is actually present in the bread and wine in communion
The concept that Judaism was based on laws that could be read and known


19. What occupation would a dalit have in India?
He attempted to reconcile Judaism and Aristotelian philosophy; Like Thomas Aquinas in the Roman Catholic Church - Maimonides attempted to reconcile Aristotle's philosophy with his own belief system and caused a similar controvers.
Ramadan
Trash hauler
Fourth Commandment; The Fourth Commandment - Honor thy Father and thy Mother - applies not only to relationships within the family unit - but to the relationship between civil authority and members of the civil society.


20. During their centuries of conquest - Muslim rulers...
Does not include worship of spirits or divine beings
Allowed subject peoples to practice their own religions
Ignorance and desire for things of this world are the cause of suffering
Roman Catholicism


21. The only religion that requires miracles in order for a person to be named a saint is...
Roman Catholicism
A group's identification with an animal - which is a totem
Offered a spiritual approach to life
Episcopalianism


22. The menorah is a symbol used for which Jewish holy day?

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


23. What religion believes in Purgatory?
Humaneness
Roman Catholicism
A conservative movement within Islam
Its members pray together without priests and with little ritual


24. What was NOT a concern of Taoism?
Pentecostals believe that they receive special powers from God.; One special power is the ability to 'speak in tongues.'; Pentecostals believe that they receive special powers from God and one of those powers is the ability to speak in tongues.
Its members pray together without priests and with little ritual
Possession of wealth and power
Religious practice of ancient Egyptians


25. One reason that early Christians began to separate from Judaism was...
Humaneness
The Christian belief that Jesus was the messiah
Pentecostals believe that they receive special powers from God.; One special power is the ability to 'speak in tongues.'; Pentecostals believe that they receive special powers from God and one of those powers is the ability to speak in tongues.
Its members pray together without priests and with little ritual


26. Buddhism's 'middle path' is best explained as a way of life that...
Has no set list of beliefs that followers must accept
Connect with Brahman
Is neither a life of pleasure nor one of self-denial
Shinto; Shinto was - and remains - a specifically Japanese religion.


27. Monasticism in the West during the Middle Ages is credited with...
Preserving Greek and Roman civilization and learning in general; Monks in monasteries and nuns in convents kept learning alive through their copying of Greek and Roman writings and by teaching.
The urge for spontaneity should be controlled; Taoism taught that spontaneous action that arose from being free of worldly concerns and open to the Tao - or workings of the universe - was good.
Muhammad forbade idol worship; the lack of mosques' ornamentation was a result of Muhammad's ban on idols out of fear that his followers could fall back into polytheism.
A distraction from seeking salvation; For these sects - any attachment is a distraction and must be renounced


28. What is a major difference between Episcopalians and Lutherans?
Right understanding - Right speech - Right livelihood; The steps of the Eightfold Path are right views - right thoughts - right speech - right action - right livelihood - right effort - right mindfulness - and right concentration.
Is neither a life of pleasure nor one of self-denial
Episcopalians believe in scripture as interpreted by tradition - whereas Lutherans believe that scripture alone is the sole authority on which their faith is based.
Ordinary people could easily understand and practice Islam; The practices of Islam are easy to understand and to practice even by the poorest and uneducated.


29. The most accurate description of yoga to Hindus is...
Developed over time; he doctrine of papal supremacy was first declared by Pope Damasus I who reigned in the 4th century. He based his declaration on Jesus' words - 'Thou are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my church.'
A path to release the mind from distractions
Ramadan
Jews


30. A Buddhist who is proud would not be practicing which principle of the Eight-Fold Path?
Right Views
The Hindu Festival of lights.
Judaism
Tantras of Tibetan Buddhism


31. The two most important works of Taoism are the 'Tao Te Ching' and the...

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


32. Meditation is NOT an important part of the practice of...
Sudden illumination; The Renzai - or Intuitive - school of Zen Buddhism believes that rational thought will not bring illumination. One must think anti-rationally and go behind reason before enlightenment will come - and then it will come suddenly in
Allowed subject peoples to practice their own religions
No schools that teach religion to their followers
Indigenous religions of South America


33. Religion that does not include fasting.
Hasidic Jews
Set out a number of principles that are central to Hinduism; The Upanishads are a collection of advice from Hindu sages. Among the topics covered are reincarnation - creation - and the relationship between individual souls and Ultimate Reality.
Celebrates the birth of Krishna - the incarnation of the god Vishnu - the protector and preserver.
Zoroastrianism


34. The delivery of the Jews from Persia is celebrated during...
Purim
Judaism; Islam
Myths explain the natural world and the reasons for the religious beliefs and customs of a group
Religious practice of ancient Egyptians


35. The 'Good News' of which Jesus spoke was...

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


36. What was not a result of the Council of Trent - which was convened during what is known as the Counter-Reformation?
Asoka; Asoka - a ruler of the Maurya dynasty in India in the third century B.C.E. - converted to Buddhism and sent missionaries to convert the people of his huge empire. As a result - Buddhism is the predominant religion of Asia.
The Talmud is the word of Yahweh
Ended the practice of indulgences
Religion includes a belief in the supernatural or divine - a set of practices - and a code of ethics.


37. A definition of religion would include what elements?
The caste system.
A supreme being
Islam and Hinduism; Nanak - who founded Sikhism in northern India in the late 15th and early 16th centuries - was born a Hindu and studied Islam - but could not find spiritual peace in either.
Ritual; A code of moral conduct; An afterlife


38. What is not a characteristic of Calvinism?
Is neither a life of pleasure nor one of self-denial
The growing materialism of Islam around the 800s
Salvation is achieved through faith and good works
It is considered a holy river


39. The Diaspora began...
After the Assyrians destroyed Israel; The Jewish Diaspora began after the destruction of the kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians in the 8th century B.C.E.
The concept that Judaism was based on laws that could be read and known
It was absorbed into Hinduism. Over time - Hinduism adopted some of the concepts of Buddhism and Buddha became one of many Hindu gods.
Description of certain ideas in terms of their opposites - such as good and evil and yin and yang


40. Shari'a deals with...
It has aspects of African religions as well as Islam; Voodoo has elements of Roman Catholicism - not Islam - mixed with traditional African religions.
Religious conduct; commercial transactions; political actions; private life
Does not include worship of spirits or divine beings
Female - nurturing - and passive


41. The purpose of the sweat-lodge ceremony is to...
Purify the body and mind.
Both branches of Buddhism believe that Gautama Buddha is one of many Buddhas; Theravada Buddhists see Gautama as a saint and great teacher and Mahayana Buddhists see him as a savior who helps others to enlightenment.
What Allah said to Muhammad
The Talmud is the word of Yahweh


42. One sect of Zen Buddhism believes that enlightenment comes through...
Because he did not write down his teachings
Sudden illumination; The Renzai - or Intuitive - school of Zen Buddhism believes that rational thought will not bring illumination. One must think anti-rationally and go behind reason before enlightenment will come - and then it will come suddenly in
An afterlife; Jews believe that there is an afterlife - but it does not have the physical description that Christian and Islamic heaven and hell have. Jews focus on living a good life according to God's laws rather than on punishment and reward after
Moses


43. Predicting the future through divination is an element of...
A central principle of Hinduism is reincarnation
Shinto; The Japanese government set up national shrines - mandated the teaching of Shinto in schools - and used State Shinto to further its military aims. It was banned after World War II.
Buddha's compassion for living things
Confucianism


44. The Baha'i movement believes that...

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


45. 'Shivah' - in Judaism
An emphasis on monasticism; an emphasis on the compassion of Buddha; the transformation of Siddharta Gautama into an Ultimate Being - one of many Buddhas; the belief that the 'Great Vehicle' has room to transport all souls to nirvana
The first week of mourning after a death
Provides many people a counterweight to changing social mores
Moksha


46. A major difference between Native American religions and Christianity is...

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


47. The word 'Islam' means...
In a final Judgment Day; Both Muslims and Christians believe that there will be a Judgment Day when the dead will be raised up.
Submission
Set out a number of principles that are central to Hinduism; The Upanishads are a collection of advice from Hindu sages. Among the topics covered are reincarnation - creation - and the relationship between individual souls and Ultimate Reality.
After the Assyrians destroyed Israel; The Jewish Diaspora began after the destruction of the kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians in the 8th century B.C.E.


48. The basis for the split in Islam into Sunni and Shi'a was...
A better birth in the next cycle of rebirth - life - and death
The father of the gods in the Greek pantheon.
Political. The basis for the split was a disagreement over who would succeed Muhammad after his death.
The Islamic concept of the community of Muslim believers


49. What statement accurately describes Jewish worship?
Rabbis - like priests - lead ritual sacrifice during the liturgy.
Doctrine of papal infallibility
Venerate and fear ancestors - Have healers; Are localized; Hinduism does not share any of these characteristics. The only trait that African religions have in common with Hinduism is that Hinduism and African religions are polytheistic.
Circumcision; The ceremony of circumcision - known as brit - marks the entrance of a male child into Judaism.


50. The Upanishads are important to Hindus because they...
Any gods
Orthodox branch; Orthodox Jews conform most closely to the tenets of Judaism as revealed by God. They are not concerned with adapting Judaism to the world outside of the Jewish community.
Set out a number of principles that are central to Hinduism; The Upanishads are a collection of advice from Hindu sages. Among the topics covered are reincarnation - creation - and the relationship between individual souls and Ultimate Reality.
Church's selling of indulgences