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DSST Introduction To World Religions

Subjects : dsst, culture

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. Zeus
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
Christianity
Episcopalianism
The father of the gods in the Greek pantheon.

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.
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
Shinto
Economics and social concerns of African Americans within an Islamic framework
Marriage for the clergy

3. The Wahhabi movement took control of the area that became which of the following nations?
The father of the gods in the Greek pantheon.
Saudi Arabia; The Wahhabi movement is a conservative movement within Islam and controls Saudi Arabia through its connection to the ruling family.
Disappeared after the Assyrians captured Israel
Shinto

4. What is the most accurate definition of religion?
Recognize when a boy and a girl are considered adults in Judaism.
Religion includes a belief in the supernatural or divine - a set of practices - and a code of ethics.
Monasticism
It has aspects of African religions as well as Islam; Voodoo has elements of Roman Catholicism - not Islam - mixed with traditional African religions.

5. Monasticism in the West during the Middle Ages is credited with...
Empty their minds of all thoughts and desires
It acknowledges that everything belongs to Allah ultimately.
Xun-zi
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.

6. Buddhism's 'middle path' is best explained as a way of life that...
Myths explain the natural world and the reasons for the religious beliefs and customs of a group
Profess one's Islamic faith
Is neither a life of pleasure nor one of self-denial
Jesus is actually present in the bread and wine in communion

7. Emphasis on the proper relations between individuals as a means to perfection is the central element of...
That the last imam will return and with him - Judgment Day
Orthodox
Confucianism
Myths explain the natural world and the reasons for the religious beliefs and customs of a group

8. Which practice of Roman Catholicism was rejected by Protestants during the Reformation?
Things like ambition - wealth - and power keep people from their real purpose in life
Economics and social concerns of African Americans within an Islamic framework
Use of Latin for the Bible and for church services; One of the changes of the Reformation was the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages and their use in church services. The Roman Catholic Church continued to use Latin for church service
The Talmud is the word of Yahweh

9. The Nicene Creed ended the Arian division within the early Christian Church by reaffirming...
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.
Things like ambition - wealth - and power keep people from their real purpose in life
Rejection of the caste system
Buddhism; Confucianism; Taoism

10. Why was Confucius similar to Gautama Buddha?
Angels - heaven - and hell
Because he did not write down his teachings
Roman Catholicism
Mayan religion

11. The best explanation for the government persecution of Buddhists during the Tang Dynasty in China was that...

12. What belief systems are neither monotheistic nor polytheistic?
What Allah said to Muhammad
Jews; This is the promise that Yahweh made to Abraham
Disappeared after the Assyrians captured Israel
Buddhism; Confucianism; Taoism

13. Judaism is unique in that it...
Is as much a cultural designation as a religious one
Purify the body and mind.
Buddhism; Confucianism; Taoism
To show their humility before Allah

14. Is Monasticism found in Islam?
Eating pork
Confucianism
No
Neither has priests. Neither Jewish rabbis nor Muslim imans are priests; both are teachers and leaders of services - which is not the same as a priest whose role is to make sacrifices.

15. Almsgiving is one of the...
A compilation of ancient Jewish oral law and rabbinical teachings
Indigenous religions of South America
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
Five Pillars

16. The Mahdi is the Islamic equivalent of...
A messiah
Purify the body and mind.
Female - nurturing - and passive
Xun-zi

17. Who is the most traditionally observant Jew?
The Talmud is the word of Yahweh
Orthodox
Empty their minds of all thoughts and desires
Indigenous religions of South America

18. Taoism and Buddhism are similar in that both teach that...
An imperceptible presence in the universe
Islam; Christianity; Judaism; Zoroastrianism
Things like ambition - wealth - and power keep people from their real purpose in life
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.

19. The predominant culture in India is...
Zoroastrianism.
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.
Has no set list of beliefs that followers must accept
Hindu

20. 'Shivah' - in Judaism
The first week of mourning after a death
Episcopalians believe in scripture as interpreted by tradition - whereas Lutherans believe that scripture alone is the sole authority on which their faith is based.
Exposure to Western culture and the growing secularization of Muslim nations; Exposure to Western culture and the growing secularization of Muslim nations
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.

21. Satan explains the presence of evil in which of the following religions?
A compilation of ancient Jewish oral law and rabbinical teachings
Judaism; Islam
There is a connection between all things that exist
Emphasis on the goodness of the spirit over the evilness of the flesh.

22. Gnosticism's influence on Christianity can be seen in Christianity's...
Protestant doctorine but Catholic ritual
Emphasis on the goodness of the spirit over the evilness of the flesh.
Nonviolence
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.

23. The Qur'an contains...
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.'
The father of the gods in the Greek pantheon.
It has aspects of African religions as well as Islam; Voodoo has elements of Roman Catholicism - not Islam - mixed with traditional African religions.
What Allah said to Muhammad

24. What accurately describes the Qur'an?
Trash hauler
Political. The basis for the split was a disagreement over who would succeed Muhammad after his death.
It is the revealed word of God; Muslims believe that God revealed his message to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.
That the government should support religion; They believe in separation of Church and State

25. Circumcision is a rite of passage found in which religions?
Judaism; Islam; Traditional African religions
Disappeared after the Assyrians captured Israel
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.
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).

26. The prophet and priest Ezra's contribution to Judaism was...
Jainism
The concept that Judaism was based on laws that could be read and known
Baghdad; Baghdad was an important center of Islamic power during the caliphates.
The recognition of Jesus as the messiah of Israel and the savior of all peoples

27. What changes in Arab society resulted from Muhammad's teachings?
Is a righteous God who demands moral and ethical behavior from people
Dowries were given to brides - not their fathers; Women gained property and inheritance rights; Mistreatment of wives in marriage was forbidden
Enlightenment
Empty their minds of all thoughts and desires

28. Buddhism declined in India until...
Both the Pentateuch and all oral and written teachings of Judaism
It was absorbed into Hinduism. Over time - Hinduism adopted some of the concepts of Buddhism and Buddha became one of many Hindu gods.
Buddhism; Confucianism; Taoism
The First Pillar of Islam

29. Jihad refers to...
Islam; Christianity; Judaism; Zoroastrianism
The struggle within a Muslim to live a good life
Benevolence
Yahweh's covenant with Abraham. In the covenant - Yahweh declared that the descendants of Abraham would have a special relationship with him.

30. Mawlid al-Nabi

31. The Vedanta system of Hinduism is based on the...
Luther denied the infallibility of the pope.
The concepts of purity and pollution remain the basis for the caste system.
Upanishads
Things like ambition - wealth - and power keep people from their real purpose in life

32. The only religion that requires miracles in order for a person to be named a saint is...
Moksha
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.
Roman Catholicism
Trash hauler

33. The goal of the Four Noble Truths.
Confucianism
Trash hauler
Enter the state of nirvana - or enlightenment
Empty their minds of all thoughts and desires

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

35. The Hasidic movement was founded by...
Zoroastrianism
Baal Shem Tov
A person who is not sure whether there is a supreme being or not
Jewish mysticism

36. A major stumbling block to reconciliation with Protestant groups is the Roman Catholic Church's...
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.
Indigenous religions of South America
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.
Doctrine of papal infallibility

37. What is not a characteristic of Calvinism?
Monasticism
Salvation is achieved through faith and good works
Enter the state of nirvana - or enlightenment
Xun-zi

38. Talmud
Dowries were given to brides - not their fathers; Women gained property and inheritance rights; Mistreatment of wives in marriage was forbidden
A compilation of ancient Jewish oral law and rabbinical teachings
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.
The first week of mourning after a death

39. The original teachings of Confucius do not include references to...
A supreme being
The Hindu Festival of lights.
No schools that teach religion to their followers
Circumcision; The ceremony of circumcision - known as brit - marks the entrance of a male child into Judaism.

40. What was not a teaching of Muhammad?
Forced conversion of non-Muslims; Muhammad preached tolerance for other religions - but did impose a tax on nonbelievers.
Church's selling of indulgences
It taught people to accept the status quo
Sign of Yahweh's presence among the Jews

41. What is a true statement about Confucian teachers after Confucius?

42. Who wrote the 'City of God' and greatly influenced the early development of Christian theology?

43. Whereas Hindus refuse to eat beef - Muslims refuse to eat...
Abraham
Pork
Economics and social concerns of African Americans within an Islamic framework
Confucianism

44. The basic teachings of Islam are set down in the...
Enter the state of nirvana - or enlightenment
Five Pillars.
Ignorance and desire for things of this world are the cause of suffering
Pacifism

45. A major cause of the schism between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Churches was the...
Emphasized obedience to God's law
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.
Communion
A better birth in the next cycle of rebirth - life - and death

46. Christian fundamentalism began in the late nineteenth century...
Ended the practice of indulgences
In response to the works of scientists and philosophers like Darwin and Marx
The first week of mourning after a death
Purim

47. What is NOT a teaching of Islam?
Guides to the spirit world. Shamans functioned - and still function - in religions based on nature and spirit worship.
Founder
Fasting during the day for one month each year
Sencond Vatican Council

48. Twelvers believe...
The Hindu Festival of lights.
Roman Catholicism
That the last imam will return and with him - Judgment Day
Had been denied an annulment of his marriage

49. The Five Pillars are the basic belief system of...
Islam
Helps others to find nirvana
The Islamic concept of the community of Muslim believers
David

50. In Judaism - Yahweh...
Is a righteous God who demands moral and ethical behavior from people
Five Pillars.
The Exodus
God's mercy and love shown in the life - death - and resurrection of Jesus