Shared Flashcard Set

Details

CompStud 270
Midterm & Final
109
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 3
04/22/2010

Additional Religious Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Religio
Definition

-From Latin re-ligare.

-To bind, re-unite to divine.

Term
Clifford Geertz (Cultural Anthropology)
Definition

-Religion is...

1. A system of symbols which acts to

2. Establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by

3. Formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and

4. Clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that

5. Moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.

-"Religion as a cultural system" that helps make sense of the world, a system of meaning.

-Finding meaning in the face of suffering.

-Study of religion has 2 stages:

1. Analysis of the systems of meaning embodied in symbols.

2. Relating these systems to social and psychological processes.

Term
Karl Marx (Marxism)
Definition

-Dialetical materialism; material needs come first.

-Religion = Opinion = Alienation = Opium of the people

-Goal is creation of a classless, egalitarian society and elimination of hierarchies of rich and poor.

-"Man makes religion, religion does not make man."

Term
Emile Durkheim (Sociology of Religion)
Definition

-Religion = Social cohesion

-Totemism

-Totem = group; Totem = sacred; The sacred = group; Sacred = "society writ large"

-Religion holds societies together and is projection of social group.

-Collective effervescence; loss of traditional religion in the face of modern science, industrialization.

-Trying to find unity, building community.

Term
Cognitive Science
Definition

-Religion is part of how we've evolved as species and how our brains work.

-2 cognitive approaches

1. Religion is useful evolutionary adaptation: David Sloan Wilson

-Helped us survive as species.

2. Religion is an accidental by-product: Pascal Boyer

-By-product of mental systems that were adapted for something else.

-Religious spandrels:

1. Extensions of agency to supernatural realm and non-living things.

2. Anthropomorphism- Strong tendency to see human qualities/features in non-human things.

3. Casual reasoning, finding causes for occurances.

4. Belief in the afterlife.

Term
Mircea Eliade (Comparative Religion)
Definition

-The sacred = the really real being, power ("Sui Generis") of its own religion.

-Religion is human notions regarding sacred, numinous, spiritual and divine.

-Universal dimension and beginnings of culture are rooted in religious experiences.

-Cacred can't be explained by or reduced to anything else.

-2 claims:

1. Humans are innately religious

2. Comparative study of religion has positive role in tolerant world

-The sacred = God, Allah, the Ultimate Realms, ect.

-The profane = mundance, ordinary world

-Sacred spance = opening and orientation to sacred

-Sacred time = periodic return to sacred, reenact original occurance

Term
Huston Smith (Perennial Philosophy)
Definition

-Universal recurrence of philosophical insight independent of culture, including universal truths on nature of reality, humanity or consciousness.

-Transcendent unity of religions.

-Wrote "The Religions of Man", Introduction to comparative religion.

-"Sui Generis", religion is of its own origin, people have natural tendency to tap into religion.

Term
Scientology
Definition

-People are immortal spiritual beings who have forgotten their true nature.

-Spiritual rehabilitation by auditing.

-Causal relationship between experiences of earlier incarnations and one's present life, and with each rebirth, the effects of the MEST universe (matter, energy, space, and time) on the thetan become stronger.

-3 parts of the human being: body, mind, thetan (spirit)

-Rationality over morality.

-Actions are considered ethical if they promote survival across all eight dynamics, benefiting greatest number of people or things while harming the fewest; The 8 dynamics:

1. Survival of oneself

2. Survival of future generations

3. Survival of group

4. Survival of human species

5. Survival of all living beings

6. Survival of entire cosmos

7. Survival of spiritual self (Thetan)

8. Survival of infinite Being/God

Term
L. Ron Hubbard
Definition

-Founder of Scientology.

-Author or sci-fi and fantasy.

-Wrote "Dianetics".

Term
Dianetics
Definition

-Self-help system.

-Set of ideas/practices about metaphysical relationship with mind and body.

-Written by Hubbard.

-Person's awareness is influenced by stimulus-response of reactive mind.

-Analytical mind: rational mechanism which is responsible for consciousness.

 -Reactive mind: absorb all pain and emotional trauma, bad memory traces (engrams) recorded here

-Goal is to get rid of engrams and become "clear" through auditing.

Term
E-Meter
Definition

-An electronic device used during Dianetics and Scientology auditing to detect engrams, painful and debilitating; as they accumulate, people move further away from their true identity.

-Believed to reflect or indicate whether or not a person has been relieved from spiritual impediment of past experiences.

-Used by Scientology ministers or ministers-in-training; Doesn't diagnose or cure anything.

Term
Thetan
Definition

-Scientology; Individualized expression of the cosmic source, or life force.

-True identity of a person – an intrinsically good, omniscient, non-material core capable of unlimited creativity.

-Reborn in new bodies through "assumption", similar to reincarnation.

-The source of life, or life itself.

-An immortal spiritual being; the human soul.

-A person's identity and self-awareness come entirely from a thetan.

Term
"Clear"
Definition

-Gradual freedom from engrams, and knowing own reality as thetan in Scientology.

-Person is free of unwanted influence of engrams, unwanted emotions or painful traumas which are not readily available to the awareness of present time.

Term
Common Elements of all Hindu Traditions
Definition

1. Reverence for the Vedas as sacred scripture.

2. Common mythology: gods, goddesses, sacred stories.

3. Brahmins as priestly authority.

Term
Vedas
Definition

-Hinduism.

-Revealed knowledge, sacred wisdom.

-Texts in Sanskrit language.

-Rig Veda is the oldest part.

-Early Vedas: fire sacrifice.

-Revealed truths of eternal validity.

Term
Upanishads
Definition

-Hinduism.

-(4th) Last part of the Vedas.

-Meditation, philosophy, yoga.

-Goal is Moksha; Karma; Samsara.

-Ahimsa (non-harming)

-Universal spirit (Brahman, impersonal absolute reality) = Individual Self (Atman)

-Contain first and most definitive explications of the divine syllable OM, cosmic vibration that underlies all existence.

-The mantra "Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti" (the soundless sound, peace, peace, peace)

-This one reality prevades everything and thus must prevade us.

Term
Atman
Definition

-Hinduism.

-Who you really are; The self.

-Free from evil, old age, death, grief, and hunger should be sought after.

-Atman = Brahman

Term
Brahman (Infinite Spirit)
Definition

-Hinduism, Chandogya Upanishad.

-Impersonal ultimate reality; Eternal; Unchanging.

-Source of all spiritual and phenomenal existence.

-Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe.

-Cannot be known by material means, that we cannot be made conscious of it, because Brahman is our very consciousness.

-Impersonal absolute reality

-Personal Gods/Goddesses, the different ways we can each come to the same ultimate reality.

-Multiple arms, multitasking, unlimited in their abilities, more than human.

Term
Brahmin (Priest)
Definition

-One of the 4 social classes of educators, doctors, law makers, scholars, priests and preachers of Dharma in Hinduism.

-Vedas are primary source of knowledge.

 

Term
Samsara
Definition

-Round of life, death, and rebirth in Hinduism.

-Ignorance of one's true self that leads to ego-consciousness of the body and the phenomenal world.

Term
Karma
Definition

-Action, that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect in Hinduism.

-A spiritually originated law.

-An extended expression or consequence of natural acts.

-Our actions and reactions in this and previous lives, determines our future.

Term
Moksha
Definition

-One of the 4 ends of life in Hinduism.

-Liberation, realize that Atman and Brahman are one, from cycle of samsara

-"Release" of suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and rebirth (reincarnation).

-The self not the body is emphasized.

-Final release from one's worldly conception of self.

-A realization of one's own fundamental nature, true being, pure consciousness and bliss.

Term
Samadhi
Definition

-A higher level of concentrated meditation.

-The complete absorption of the individual consciousness in the self at the time of death.

-Union of Self and Brahman.

-Last (8th) part of Ashtanga, 8-limbed Yoga in Hinduism.

-Meditative absorption.

Term
Bhagavad Gita
Definition

-"Song of God"; Bhagavad Gita is Krishna in Hinduism.

-Small part of the great epic, the Mahanbharata.

-Rivlary between two cousins over control of Bharata (India).

-Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince during an arguement on the battlefield.

-Krishna reveals His identity as the Supreme Being Himself to Arjuna.

-Gita often described as self-contained guide to life.

-Mainly about Bhakti Yoga.

 

Term
Dharma
Definition

-One of the 4 ends of life in Hinduism.

-One's righteous duty, any virtuous path.

-Cosmic order; Social duty

Term
Yoga
Definition

1. Jnana Yoga

2. Karma Yoga

3. Bhakti Yoga

4. Hatha Yoga

Term
Jnana Yoga
Definition

-Hinduism.

-Self Transcending Knowledge

-Philosophy, meditation

-Shiva as Lord of Yoga

-A path of knowledge and discrimination to the difference between the immortal soul (atman) and the body.

-Monism: Atman and Brahman are One.

Term
Karma Yoga
Definition

-Hinduism.

-Selfless Action

-Doing one's duties in life as per his/her dharma, or duty, without concern of results.

-A sort of constant sacrifice of action to the Supreme.

-The ideal path to realize the Truth.

Term
Bhakti Yoga
Definition

-The spiritual practice of fostering loving devotion to a personal form of God, each of which can be ultimate reality in Hinduism.

-Example: Krishna as lover

-Smallest gift if given with full love god accepts it as the best gift he could receive.

Term
Hatha Yoga
Definition

-Hinduism.

-Forceful/Strenuous.

-Focuses/Emphasizes on physical postures.

-Physical means of uniting self with the divine.

-Meditation in action.

Term
Darshan (Darsan)
Definition

-Visions of the divine, of a god or a very holy person or artifact.

-Seeing image of deity in worship (Puja) of Durga image in Hinduism.

-Direct connection with the divine through image, seeing.

-"Receive darshan" of the deity in the temple, or from a great saintly person.

Term
Puja
Definition

-Worship of God in Hinduism.

-A ceremony of gratitude or religious ritual performed as an offering to various deities and receiving their blessing.

-Done on a variety of occasions and settings, from daily puja done in the home, to temple ceremonies and large festivals, or to begin a new venture.

Term
Vishnu (Visnu)
Definition

-One of the Trimurti (3 faces of god) in Hinduism.

-The Supreme God, the Preserver of cosmic order.

-Desends into the world in different forms, Avatars (incarnation)

-Duty is to interviene in the cosmic order.

-The All-Pervading essence of all beings, the master of—and beyond—the past, present and future, the creator and destroyer of all existences, one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe and originates and develops all elements within.

Term
Krishna (Krsna)
Definition

-Vedanta: A manifestation of God himself in Hinduism

-ISKCON: Supreme being, higher than Brahman.

-8th incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu; Bhakti

-Love between God and the soul.

-Karma Yoga.

Term
Shiva (Siva)
Definition

-One of the Trimurti in Hinduism.

-Lord of Yoga

-The destroyer; destroys the world at the end of time.

-visualize the belief that the sacred ultimate power of the universe as being both feminine and masculine

-Home in the Himalayas

Term
Brahma (The Creator God)
Definition

-One of the Trimurti in Hinduism.

-God of creation

-The father of Manu, and from Manu all Hindus are descended.

-Self-born

-Said to be the son of the Supreme Being, Brahman.

Term
Durga
Definition

-Form of Devi in Hinduism.

-Exists in state of independence from universe and fierce compassion.

-Aspect of Kali and the mother of Ganesha.

-Creates Kali to battle

Term
Kali
Definition

-Hindu Goddess associated with eternal energy.

-The dark mother

-Kali = time, blackness

-Killed Siva

-The prime mover of the universe.

-The only source of existence.

-The power behind time which devours everything.

Term
Ganesh (Ganesa)
Definition

-Hindu God.

-Son of Shiva and Parvati.

-Remover of obstacles.

-Lord of beginnings.

-Learning, commerce, wealth.

Term
Ramakrishna
Definition

-Hindu Saint of Ramakrishna Mission in Hinduism.

-Poor, simple, illiterate priest of Kali

-All religions are from one source.

Term
Ramakrisha Mission
Definition

-Hindu inclusivism.

-"Truth or God is one."

-Our real nature is divine.

-The purpose of life is to realize the One in our own soul.

-Innumerable spiritual paths, all leading to this realization of divinity.

-Similar to Houston Smith.

Term
Swami Prabhupada
Definition

-Founder of ISKCON; Hinduism.

-After his guru died, became wandering monk.

-Gave speech at World Parliament of Religions.

Term
ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
Definition

-"Hare Krishna Movement"; Hinduism.

-Founded in NYC

-Based on Bhagavad-gītā

-Founded by Swami Prabhupada

-Practices Bhakti Yoga- Dualism: The Self and God (Krishna) are distinct.

-You don't meld into God, but you have a loving relationship with him.

Term
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha
Definition

-The Traditional Buddha

-Sage of the Shakyas -Born a prince in 6th century BCE.

-Rejection of sacrafice.

-Rejection of class system.

-Ahima: non-harming

-Basic Buddhist scriptures: Tripitika/Tipitika ("3 baskets"), discourses, monastic rule, philosophy.

-"See for yourself"

Term
Nirvana
Definition

-Perminant happiness in Buddhism.

-Liberation frmo cycle of reincarnation

-Ultimate peace, freedom, happiness from egotism and self-desire; then you can be compassionate to others.

Term
Four Noble Truths
Definition

-Teaching of Buddhism.

1. Existence is unsatisfactory.

2. Suffering if caused by desire .

3. There is an end to suffering .

4. The way to end suffering is the Eight-fold path.

Term
Eight-Fold Path
Definition

-The 4th Noble Truth, the way to end suffering in Buddhism.

-Knowledge, morality meditation.

1. Right views

2. Right Intention

3. Right Speech

4. Right action

5. Right livelihood

6. Right effort

7. Right mindfulness

8. Right concentration (Samadhi)

Term
Anatman
Definition

-One of the 3 marks of all things in Buddhism.

-No self

-5 bundles:

1. Form

2. Feeling

3. Senses

4. Will (+karma)

5. Consciousness

Term
Theravada
Definition

-"School of Elder"; Hinayana ("lesser vehicle") in later Buddhism.

-The oldest surviving Buddhist school.

-No independent dharmas.

-Salvation is primarily individual responsibility.

-Formed monastic community, Compiled scriptures and constructed stupas.

Term
Mahayana
Definition

-"Great Vehicle"; Buddhism through Tibetan and Chinese sources.

-Emptiness (shunyata), concept of zero.

-Mind only, reality as we now see it is limited construction of mind

-Buddha, human, earthly projection of beginningless and endless, omnipresent being.

-Ideal of Compassion.

-Nirvana, extinction of greed and hate; Universal salvation.

-More accessible path for all people.

-Maitreya, future Buddha who will come.

-Multiple Buddhas; Amitabha, Buddha of Pure Land

-Schools of Mahayana: Pure Land, Zen, ect.

-Buddha-nature, nature of the mind itself, which all beings have.

Term
Vajrayana
Definition

-5th, or final period of Buddhism, brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava.

-Merges with Tibetan Bon Po religion.

-Scriptures are called the Tantras.

-Ritual instead of meditation.

Term
Bodhisattva
Definition

-"Being of wisdom" 

-In Theravāda Buddhism, used by Buddha to refer to himself in previous lives and current life prior to his enlightenment while working towards liberation.

-In Mahāyāna Buddhism, postpone liberation to come back and help others become liberated; so filled with love.

-Anthropomorphised vehicle for the actual deity

Term
Avalokiteshvara
Definition

-"Lord who looks down"

-Avalokiteśvara is Badhisattva of compassion, postpones Buddhahood until he has assisted every being on Earth in achieving nirvana, in Mahayana Buddhism.

-Incarnation of Dalai Lama.

-Mainstream Theravada does not worship any Mahayana bodhisattvas.

Term
Pure Land
Definition

-Amitabha (Buddha of Western Paradise), principle Buddha in Pure Land.

-Form of Mayahana Buddhism in Asia.

-For last reincarnation

-The celestial realm or pure abode of buddha/bodhisattva which are all accessible through meditation and trance sadhana.

Term
Shunyata
Definition

-Emptiness in Mahayana Philosophy.

-Everything in the universe is imperminant but interconnected.

Term
Zen
Definition

-Ch'an: China, Zen: Japan

-School/Form of Mahayana Buddhism established by Bodhidharma.

-Zazen, seated meditation for long periods of time to realize Buddha in yourself.

-Technique and practice of "turning the eye inward"; Became popular through martial arts.

-Discover Buddha-nature within self, through meditation and mindfulness of daily experiences, provides new perspectives/insights on existence, ultimately leading to enlightenment.

1. Soto (Gradual School)

2. Rinzai (Sudden School); koans, shouting, stick-beating.

Term
Koan
Definition
-Riddles for meditation with no real answer in Rinzai Zen, Mahayana Buddhism.
Term
Dalai Lama
Definition

-"Ocean of Wisdom"

-Incarnation of Avalokiteshvara in Vajrayana Buddhism.

-Tibetan's religious and politial leader until Chinese invasion in 1950's.

-Argues Buddhism and science; Meditation and neuroscience.

Term
Mandala
Definition

-Circle, used in meditation as something you visualize, symbol of cosmos and ones self in Vajrayana Buddhist practice.

-Depicts 'family' of 5 Buddhas.

-Often drawn with colored sand, then blown away symbolizing imperminance.

Term
Islam
Definition

-Abrahamic religion and lifestyle.

-The term "Islam" itself derives from two different roots, one which means "submission" and the other which means "peace"; "submitting and surrendering your will to Almighty God" in Arabic; "commitment" in English.

-Goes back to the Prophet and patriarch Abraham, who settled down in the city of Mecca, and with Ishmael built the Ka'bah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.

-About love, devotion, reverence, and humbleness for God.

-Teaches peace, mercy, forgiveness, and accountability for One's deeds.

-After the death of Muhammad--Shiite and Sunni

-Teaches that all religions originally had the same essential message, to submit wholeheartedly to the will of God and to workship Him and Him alone, to obtain true peace both in this life and in the life hereafter.

-Followers are Muslims, they commit their lives to peace, harmony, truthfulness, good works, charity, neighborliness, almsgiving, acceptance of religious pluralism, diversity, and free will.

-Believe that Allah ("the friend of God") revealed books (Qur'an) to his messengers (Prophet Muhammad) as proof and guidance for mankind

-Islamic prophets, such as Abraham, David, and Jesus--but Mohammed is the final prophet, who managed to bring to humanity the complete and true understanding of Allah.

 

-Rests on 5 pillars:

1. Shahada--Declaration or profession of faith

2. Salat--Prayer

3. Zakat--Almsgiving or charity, giving to the poor

4. Sawm--Fasting during Ramadan

5. Hajj--Pilgrimage to Mecca

Term
Muhammad
Definition

-Means "highly praised" = "Seal of the Prophets"

-The prophet, as ordained by God, who Allah (the Angel Gabriel) revealed the Qur'an to.

 

Term
Qur'an (Koran)
Definition

-Delivered "recitations," divine revelations, the final book.

-Allah revealed to the Prohpet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel.

-About the last revelation and Word of God and is the prime source of faith and practive for every Muslim and speaks of human equality.

-Islams sole sacred text, basis for Islamic law (shariah)

-Recorded in the Arabic language and its 114 chapters (surahs) are arranged by length.

-States that all Muslims must believe in God, his revelations, his angels, his messengers, and in the "Day of Judgement".

-Muslims believe it to be the verbal book of divine guidance and direction for mankind and the final revelation of God.

-The chapter entitled "The Pilgrimage" speaks of divine command to perform Hajj.

Term
Shariah
Definition

-Sacred law of Islam based on the Qur'an and Hadith.

-It means the right way to life one's life as a Moslem.

-All Muslims believe Sharia is God's law, but they have differences between themselves as to exactly what it entails.

-Include proper moral behavior, proper respect towards Allah, correct belief, proper personal piety, and so on.

-Halal (legal) vs. Haram (forbidden)

 

-Schools of interpretation (fiqh):

1. Shafi'ii--Indonesia, Malaysia

2. Hanafii--Turkey, South Asia, Egypt

3. Maliki--North and West Africa

4. Hanbali--Arabia

5. Jaferi--Shi'ite school of fiqh, Iran, Iraq

Term
Kaaba
Definition

-"The Cube," "The House of God," Center of the Muslim world, surrounded by the great moqsue.

-Built by Abraham and Ishmael, reclaimed by Muhammad.

-The focal point toward which Muslims turn in their worship 5 times each day.

Term
Five Pillars of Islam
Definition

-Indicate the main values and practices of Islam, the framework of Muslim life.

 

1. Shahadah: (Declaration of Faith) States that no being is worthy of worship except for God and that Muhammad is God's messenger.

2. Prayer: (Salah) Provides a direct relationship between the worshipper and his God. Performed 5 times a day in Arabic.

3. Almsgiving: (Charity, Zakah) "Purification" and "growth," Muslims give 2.5% of wealth to charity annually.

4. Fasting during Ramadan: (Sawm) From sunset till sundown during the month of Ramadan to teach self-restraint and gratitude, and the person grows spiritually by appreciation of God's blessings.

5. Hajj: (Pilgrimage) Lays out the goal of each Moslem performing a pilgrimage to Mecca to worship at the Kaaba and to rededicate themselves to Allah at sites important in his life.

Term
Hajj
Definition

-Pilgrimage to Mecca (birthplace of Islam), only in a life time obligation that dates back to the Prophet Abraham.

-Lays out the goal of each Moslem performing a pilgrimage to Mecca to worship at the Kaaba and to rededicate themselves to Allah at sites important in his life.

-Rituals of the Hajj recall events or practices in Abraham's life and that of Hagar and their son Ishmeal

-Muhammad restored the Hajj rites to their original purity and devotion to the one God alone.

-Begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year.

-Pilgrims dress in the same clothing to demonstrate how all mankind stand equal before God.

-End is marked by Eid al-Adha, or the festival of the sacrifice, commemorating Abraham's willingness to obey God's command to sacrifice his son.

-

Term
Ramadan
Definition

-Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year.

-It is considered holy because it was during this month that Mohammed received the first revelation of the Qur'an.

-Moslems fast during the daytime and at the end of the month, the festival of the Breaking of the Fast (Eid al-Fitr) occurs.

-Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

-Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God.

Term
Sunni
Definition

-Make up the vast majority of Muslims.

-Believe that Mohammed did not appoint a successor, and therefore one had to be appointed by the Muslims themselves, which lead to the establishment of the Caliphate.

-The Caliphate is a series of men who took over Mohammed's worldly and temporal power, but who made no claim to be Mohammed's spiritual successor.

Term
Shi'ite (Shi'i, Shia)
Definition

-Believed that Mohammed had designed Ali as his successor and spiritual heir, call the Imam.

-This successor should be a religious and spiritual leader as well as a wielder of worldly and temporal power, and be from Muhammad's family.

Term

Beliefs/Signs that Sunni and Shi'ite's are agreed upon

Definition
  1. The Mahdi will be a descendant of Muhammad of the line of Fatimah.
  2. His name will be as the name of Muhammad.
  3. He and Isa (Jesus) will rule for either 40 years (though these years are consisted of days not necessarily the same as 24 hour days)
  4. His coming will be accompanied by the raising of a Black Standard.
  5. His coming will be accompanied by the appearance of the Ad-Dajjal (the 'Great Deceiver').
  6. There will be a lunar and solar eclipse within the same month of Ramadan
  7. A star with a luminous tail will rise from the East before the Mahdi emerges.
  8. He will restore faith to its original form and eradicate moral corruption.
  9. He will have a broad forehead, a prominent nose, and his eyes will be naturally mascaraed. However the physical signs of his body are only mentioned in the Sunni books of Hadith, and are not present in the Shia's books.
  10. He will fill the world with justice and fairness at a time when the world will be filled with oppression.
  11. His face shall shine upon the surface of the Moon.
  12. The name of his (Imam Mehdi's) representative will begin with the first-letter of a prophets name, also the name of an Ayah of the Qur'an. "Y"
Term
'Ali
Definition

-The first Imam in Shi'ite belief and elevates Ali to the position of a "Friend of Allah"--next to Mohammed.

-Believed to have been designed by Muhammad as his successor.

 

-Became the Fourth Roughtly Guided Caliph in Sunni belief.

-Thought that the caliphate should have gone to him because he was Mohammed's closest male relative.

Term
Husayn (Hussein)
Definition
-Commonly given male name meaning "good" or "handsome" or "beautiful."
Term
Imam
Definition

-In the Shi'ite tradition...

-A spiritual leader whose authority comes from Muhammad through his son-in-law Ali.

-There is an unbroken succession of Imams after Ali, although particular Imams may be hidden by Allah for protection.

-The leader or the successor that should be a religious and spiritual leader as well as a wielder of worldly and temporal power.

-The line of Imams living in the world has now ceased, although most Shiites believe that the final one, the Mahdi, is alive in hiding (occultation) and will return.

-Literally means "submission (to God)"

-Many believe that the last Imam will one day return.

Term
Mahdi
Definition

-In the Shi'ite tradition...

 -"Guided One."

-the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on earth seven, nine, or nineteen years (depending on the interpretation) before the coming of the day, Yawm al-Qiyamah (literally "Day of the Resurrection" or "Day of the Standing").

-Muslims believe the Mahdi will rid the world of error, injustice and tyranny alongside Jesus.

-A "powerful and central religious idea" for Shia Muslims who believe the Mahdi is the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi who will return from occultation.

Signs of Mahdi:

  1. Before his coming will come the red death and the white death. The red death is the sword and the white death is plague.
  2. Several figures will appear: the one-eyed Dajjal, the Sufyani and the Yamani.
  3. The Muslims will throw off the reins and take possession of their land, throwing out the authority of the foreigners.
  4. There will be a great conflict in the land of Syria until it is destroyed.
  5. Death and fear will afflict the people of Baghdad and Iraq. A fire will appear in the sky and a redness will cover them.

-Will be a descendant of Muhammad of the line of Fatimah.

-Mahdi symbol has developed into a powerful and central religious idea.

Term
Sufism
Definition

-A term that designates Islam's mystical and ascetic movements.

-A Sufi is one who practices Sufism: Attempt to go beyond the restrictions of a "typical" Moslem life and to seek Allah in more intimate ways.

-Strive to break down the barriers between themselves and Allah by replacing their human characteristics with divine ones.

-Since Allah is one himself, the attempt to reach him can become the realization of the oneness of all things.

-Sufis focus on three kinds of mysticism to accomplish this:

1. Love mysticism

2. Ecstatic mysticism

3. Intuitive mysticism

Term
Mevlevi
Definition

-"Whirling Dervishes"

-Sufi order of the followers of Jala al-Din Rumi, in Turkey.

-Poetry, music, dance as means of uniting with God.

-Known for their practice of whirling, during Sema, as a form of remembrance of God.

-Turning towards the truth, the follower grows through love, deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrives at the "Perfect".

-When you perform Sema you are also closer to God.

Term
al-Qeada
Definition

-means foundation or basis

-The origins of al-Qaeda as a network inspiring terrorism around the world and training operatives can be traced to the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

-Al-Qaeda is an international terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden.

-Current goal is to establish a pan-Islamic Caliphate throughout the world by working with allied Islamic extremist groups to overthrow regimes it deems "non-Islamic" and expelling Westerners and non-Muslims from Muslim countries.

-Al-Qaida has cooperated with a number of known terrorist groups worldwide.

-The group has targeted American and other Western interests as well as Jewish targets and Muslim governments it saw as corrupt or impious — above all, the Saudi monarchy.

-Goals and Objectives:

1. Establishing the rule of God on earth.

2. Attaining martyrdom in the cause of God.

3. Purification of the ranks of Islam from the elements of depravity.

Term
Taliban
Definition

-Meaning "students," Muslim fundamentalist group.

-A Sunni Islamist political movement in Afganistan overthrown in 2001.

-Extremely strict and anti-modern ideology.

-A methodology for command and control."

Term
Wovoka
Definition

-Jack Wilson, the religious leader who founded the Ghost Dance movement.

-Means "cutter" or "wood cutter."

-Prophet of peace,  teacher of pacifism and peace.

-Given Ghost dance by God and commanded to take it back to his people.

-If every Indian in the West danced the new dance to "hasten the event", all evil in the world would be swept away, leaving a renewed Earth filled with food, love, and faith.

Term
Ghost Dance
Definition

-Bringing back the dead Native Americans and Buffalo.

-"Round dance."

-Jack Wilson preached that if the five-day dance was performed in the proper intervals, the performers would secure their happiness and hasten the reunion of the living and deceased.

-Led to the Massacre at Wounded Knee; originally peaceful.

Term
Sun Dance
Definition

-Religious ceremony: dancing, singing, praying, fasting, sometimes piercing.

-Object of the practice is to make a sacrifice to the Great Mystery, and to pray while connected to the Tree of Life, a direct connection to the Creator.

 

Term
Peyote
Definition

-Cactus, containing moscaline, used in Native American religious ceremonies.

-Healed Comanche Chief Quanah Parker.

-Physical effects: Altered perception, heightened senses, feeling of inter-connectedness, union with nature, loss of self.

-Spiritual effects: Introspection (reflection on one's good and bad deeds), experience communication with God/Nature, healing relationships, and seeing and overcoming sin, drug and alcohol addiction.

-Contact deerperson by using Peyote.

 

Term
Quanah Parker
Definition

-Last Chief of the Quahadi Comanche Indians healed by Peyote.

-Founder of the Native American Church Movement.

-Supported "half-moon" style of peyote ceremony and rejected monogamy and traditional Protestant Christianity.

-Taught that the sacred peyote medicine was the sacrament given to the Indian Peoples.

Term
Native American Church
Definition

-Founded by Quanah Parker, with the help of James Mooney.

-Adoption of Christian language and use of the Cross.

Term
Half Moon Ceremony
Definition

-Style of peyote ceremony supported by Quanah Parker.

-Crescent shaped alter, tipi (the sacred space) with its entrance facing east = rising sun, fire pit = bird, feathers = thoughts, rattle = world.

-Few Christian elements.

-Road Man (priest): organizes all-night peyote ceremony, Drum Man, Cedar Man, Water Woman (Peyote Woman): Journey to the mountain to find original peyote & brings in fresh water and ceremony is over.

Term
Al Smith and The Smith Case
Definition

-Al Smith was fired for attending NAC meeting and was denied unemployment compensation.

-US Supreme Court overturned Oregon Supreme Courts decision in favor of Smith.

-Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed by Clinton was reversed by the Court.

-Ruben Snake defends Native rights and rallies NA around Al Smith.

Term
Apocalypse
Definition
Term
Millennium
Definition
Term
Peoples' Temple
Definition
founded by jim jones 1955

november 18 guyana 918 people died

Jonestown

congressman leo ryan killed, members pass him notes to say they want to leave
Term
Jim Jones
Definition
founder of the poeples temple 1966

organized mass suicide of 918 members
Term
Millerites
Definition
followers of william miller

second adventist

believed christ would return in 1844 (the great dissapointment)
Term
Branch Davidians
Definition
David Koresh

"king cyrus" - the anoited one or the messiah the lamb of revelation

Compound in WACO, TX

raided by BATF in feb 1983
Term
David Koresh
Definition
branch davidians

had multiple wives, 12, 17, 16, 20

believe all men should be celibate besides him

accused of child abuse, converting semi-auto weapons to auto without permit, and having grenades.
Term
The Seven Seals
Definition
Term
Heaven's Gate
Definition
founded by Marshall apllewhite

39 members commit suicide by drinking cyanide mix

thought there was a alien craft in haleys commet
Term
Marshall Applewhite
Definition
Term
The Next Level Above Human
Definition
Term
Rapture
Definition
Term
Antichrist
Definition
Term
Pagan
Definition
Term
Neo-Paganism
Definition
Term
Wicca
Definition
older than christianity

centered on mother goddess and god of the hunt

christian turned god into the devil
Term
Aleister Crowley
Definition
Term
Magick
Definition
Term
Gerald Gardner
Definition
Father of modern witchcraft

first modern covens in london

"old dorthy" - loving witch
Term
Wheel of the Year
Definition
Term
Starhawk
Definition
says goddess is empowering
Term
Church of Satan
Definition
Anton Lavey

Saw same people at strip club at church.

Was a lion tamer and police scene photographer

Satanic Bible 1969

Held the first black mass
Term
Anton Szandor LaVey
Definition
Founder of the church of satan in 1969

Carnival organist

lion tamer

police photographer

influencial in horror movies.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!