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 best explanation of why Muslims pray prostrate on the ground is...
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
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.
To show their humility before Allah
Roman Catholicism


2. Example of the animistic theory of religion; based on worship of the spirits - known as kami - of natural objects - such as stones and trees.
Had been denied an annulment of his marriage
Shinto
Confucianism
Householder


3. In the Roman Catholic Church - the feast of the Epiphany broadly commemorates...
Judaism; Islam; Traditional African religions
The recognition of Jesus as the messiah of Israel and the savior of all peoples
Jewish mysticism
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.


4. The goal of liberation theology is to...
Improve the lives of the poor through political activism
A compilation of ancient Jewish oral law and rabbinical teachings
Judaism; Judaism is a religion and Zionism is a political movement begun in 1896 to establish a Jewish state in what the Jews consider the 'promised land.'
Torah; The Torah scroll is kept in the ark and read from during services


5. The Second Truth of the Four Noble Truths.
Law of Manu (describes the caste system and the duties of each caste).
Benevolence
The desire to convert nonbelievers and spread the religion
Ignorance and desire for things of this world are the cause of suffering


6. Which religion is the largest in the world?
Only those times when he invokes the authority of 'ex cathedra'; 'Ex cathedra' is the authority of the pope based on his position as teacher and pastor of Christians. When the pope speaks 'ex cathedra' on a doctrine of faith and morals - he is kept f
Christianity
Religion includes a belief in the supernatural or divine - a set of practices - and a code of ethics.
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.


7. Wahhabism
Monasticism
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 group's identification with an animal - which is a totem
A conservative movement within Islam


8. What is a major difference between Episcopalians and Lutherans?
Episcopalians believe in scripture as interpreted by tradition - whereas Lutherans believe that scripture alone is the sole authority on which their faith is based.
Does not include worship of spirits or divine beings
Is of little importance in achieving nirvana; Ritual sacrifice plays a minor role in Theravada Buddhism.
Good government could become oppressive if it interfered too much in people's lives


9. In Taoism - yin is...
Respect that one person shows another; 'Li' is defined as correct behavior - or etiquette - between individuals.
A Taoist endeavors to live a simple life. Taoism teaches inaction as the highest principle of being.
Roman Catholicism
Female - nurturing - and passive


10. What is not a true description of the Talmud?
The Talmud is the word of Yahweh
Salvation is achieved through faith and good works
Offered a spiritual approach to life
Destruction of the second Temple and the end of Palestine in 70 C.E.


11. Satan explains the presence of evil in which of the following religions?
Judaism; Islam
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.
Required obedience to a set of moral behaviors
That Jesus was both human and divine; Arius taught that Jesus was not equal with God the Father and eternal. The Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicea to deal with the issue - which was dividing the early Church.


12. Ka'bah
In a final Judgment Day; Both Muslims and Christians believe that there will be a Judgment Day when the dead will be raised up.
The most sacred to Muslims
The replacement of a traditional language with a vernacular language.
The representation of an eternal Buddha; one of many Buddhas


13. A major difference between Buddhism and Hinduism is Buddhism's rejection of...
The caste system
Is neither a life of pleasure nor one of self-denial
Hinduism
Xun-zi


14. How is the belief in God - by whatever name - similar in Christianity - Islam - and Judaism?
The first week of mourning after a death
God is the creator of the world; All three religions believe that God is the creator of the world - and is all knowing - all powerful - and all present.
Its meaning differs among the various Christian religions; various religions have different interpretations of how original sin affects human nature.
Possession of wealth and power


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

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16. Twelvers believe...
Invasion of the Holy Land by the Crusaders
Pacifism
Judaism; Judaism is a religion and Zionism is a political movement begun in 1896 to establish a Jewish state in what the Jews consider the 'promised land.'
That the last imam will return and with him - Judgment Day


17. Theravada Buddhism does not emphasize...

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18. The Jewish Day of Atonement is...
Judaism; Judaism is a religion and Zionism is a political movement begun in 1896 to establish a Jewish state in what the Jews consider the 'promised land.'
Yom Kippur; Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish calendar.
The dominant theme of Taoism
The Islamic concept of the community of Muslim believers


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

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20. Confession of one's sins to a priest or minister is part of Roman Catholicism - Eastern Orthodox rites - and...
All people are created equal; The Baha'i movement preaches equality of the sexes - the importance of education - an end to prejudice - and the value of leading a good life.
Ritual; A code of moral conduct; An afterlife
Episcopalianism
Emphasis on the goodness of the spirit over the evilness of the flesh.


21. What is an accurate description of Martin Luther's teachings?
Luther denied the infallibility of the pope.
Hinduism
To redeem humankind from sin
Sephardim


22. In Judaism - Yahweh...
Ritual; A code of moral conduct; An afterlife
Its meaning differs among the various Christian religions; various religions have different interpretations of how original sin affects human nature.
Buddha's compassion for living things
Is a righteous God who demands moral and ethical behavior from people


23. Instead of statues - Eastern Orthodox rites use what as ornamentation in their churches?
Monasticism
Salvation came as a gift from God
Recognize when a boy and a girl are considered adults in Judaism.
Icons


24. The Hasidic movement was founded by...
Church's selling of indulgences
Baal Shem Tov
Rabbis - like priests - lead ritual sacrifice during the liturgy.
Has no set list of beliefs that followers must accept


25. To say the Shahadah is to...

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26. In addition to Muhammad - Muslims consider as prophets Abraham - Moses - and...
Is of little importance in achieving nirvana; Ritual sacrifice plays a minor role in Theravada Buddhism.
Moksha
Jesus
Primacy of the pope in determining matters of Christian doctrine. The Eastern Church believed that authority in matters of faith rested more with the Bible and church councils than with the pope.


27. In Taoism - the source of all things is...
An imperceptible presence in the universe
Magic
It taught people to accept the status quo
Easter; Easter fulfills Jesus' promise to his followers that he will overcome death as those who believe in him will


28. Voodoo is an example of...
Magic
Primacy of the pope in determining matters of Christian doctrine. The Eastern Church believed that authority in matters of faith rested more with the Bible and church councils than with the pope.
Ahura Mazda
Roman Catholicism; Roman Catholics have a special devotion to the Virgin Mary that is a major difference with other Christian denominations.


29. What statement about the Qur'an is not true?
Its meaning differs among the various Christian religions; various religions have different interpretations of how original sin affects human nature.
The dominant theme of Taoism
Humaneness
It describes Allah as a strict - distant - and unresponsive god


30. In Zen Buddhism - 'satori' is...
Enlightenment
To redeem humankind from sin
A distraction from seeking salvation; For these sects - any attachment is a distraction and must be renounced
Sign of Yahweh's presence among the Jews


31. That God is all-knowing - all-powerful - all-present - and one and undivided are beliefs of both Islam and...
In response to the works of scientists and philosophers like Darwin and Marx
Pork
Judaism
Reassert Church doctrine as a result of the Protestant Reformation


32. Muslims and Christians both believe...
Myths explain the natural world and the reasons for the religious beliefs and customs of a group
Religious practice of ancient Egyptians
In a final Judgment Day; Both Muslims and Christians believe that there will be a Judgment Day when the dead will be raised up.
Description of certain ideas in terms of their opposites - such as good and evil and yin and yang


33. Talmud
Yom Kippur; Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish calendar.
A compilation of ancient Jewish oral law and rabbinical teachings
Householder
The holy scripture of Nichiren Buddhism


34. For Catholics - the central act of worship is...
The mass
Empty their minds of all thoughts and desires
The role of its clergy; Shi'a has a clerical hierarchy.
Eased kosher restrictions;


35. Who is the most traditionally observant Jew?
It describes Allah as a strict - distant - and unresponsive god
Meng-zi reinforced Confucius's teaching that people were innately good - whereas Xun-zi taught that people were innately evil.
To show their humility before Allah
Orthodox


36. King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church because he...
Had been denied an annulment of his marriage
Trash hauler
Five Pillars
Ahura Mazda


37. The goal of the Four Noble Truths.
Enter the state of nirvana - or enlightenment
All Protestant denominations accept all three of the creeds
Monasticism
Monasticism


38. Which system of Hindu philosophy believes that only Brahman is real?
Submission
Vedanta; The Vedanta system holds that all the world - including humans - is an illusion
A Taoist endeavors to live a simple life. Taoism teaches inaction as the highest principle of being.
Easter; Easter fulfills Jesus' promise to his followers that he will overcome death as those who believe in him will


39. A definition of religion would include what elements?
Had been denied an annulment of his marriage
Ritual; A code of moral conduct; An afterlife
Pork
Thomas Aquinas


40. 'Umma'
Destruction of the second Temple and the end of Palestine in 70 C.E.
Ecumenism.
The Islamic concept of the community of Muslim believers
Circumcision; The ceremony of circumcision - known as brit - marks the entrance of a male child into Judaism.


41. In what deities do both good and evil co-exist?
Ruler; The ruler as the superior
The concept that Judaism was based on laws that could be read and known
Ahura Mazda
Angels - heaven - and hell


42. The Five Pillars are the basic belief system of...
Primacy of the pope in determining matters of Christian doctrine. The Eastern Church believed that authority in matters of faith rested more with the Bible and church councils than with the pope.
Quality of human-heartedness. 'Jen' may also be translated as social virtue or goodness.
Islam
The caste system


43. What is taboo for Jews?
Roman Catholics
Eating pork
Islam; Christianity; Judaism; Zoroastrianism
Roman Catholicism


44. According to the doctrine of transubstantiation in the Roman Catholic Church...
Jesus is actually present in the bread and wine in communion
Confer special grace on the gravely ill person
Episcopalianism
The concept that Judaism was based on laws that could be read and known


45. The Upanishads are important to Hindus because they...
'Chuang Tzu'
Reconcile Aristotle's work with their religions.
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.
Reliance on magic


46. In Hinduism - ahimsa is the principle of...
Nonviolence
Judaism
The caste system.
While delaying their own entrance into nirvana


47. The Sufi movement was a reaction against...
The growing materialism of Islam around the 800s
Achieved enlightenment
Disappeared after the Assyrians captured Israel
Marriage for the clergy


48. The purposes of Ramadan are to...

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49. Council called to modernize the Roman Catholic Church.
Ramadan
Ruler; The ruler as the superior
Sencond Vatican Council
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.


50. Shari'a deals with...
Religious conduct; commercial transactions; political actions; private life
Required obedience to a set of moral behaviors
Buddhism; Confucianism; Taoism
Purify the body and mind.