Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Religion Test 1, GREL 101 JMU
Intro, Nat. American, African, Hinduism
84
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 1
01/31/2012

Additional Religious Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Faith
Definition
In one's heart; how one comes to know God; internal
Term
Religion
Definition
Organization of people showing their faith, external, comes from religio meaning "awe/fear in the presence of a spirit/god"
Term
3 Things a religion must have
Definition
Creed- beliefs, doctrine
Code- Morality, how to live
Cult- ritual, tradition
Term
Revealed Religion
Definition
A human being delivers the faith to people, a specific source EX. Abraham (Judaism)
Term
Prophet
Definition
a revealer, spokes person for the god/religion, Ex. Jesus, Joseph Smith, Muhammed
Term
Islam
Definition
Submission to God
Term
Religions of the Book
Definition
Christianity and Judaism as referred to by Muslims
Term
Buddhism
Definition
Revealed by Siddhartha Gautama, no deity, nirvana, perfection, The Buddha- The enlightened one, broke off from Hinduism
Term
Hinduism
Definition
Not revealed, indigenous, oldest religion, no beginning
Term
Aryan
Definition
"the noble ones" migrants in Indus valley
Term
Varnas
Definition
basic 3 classes
Term
Brahmins
Definition
Priests
Term
Shudras
Definition
Slaves/Servants to Aryans
Term
Vedas
Definition
Oldest Sacred Hindu text, understanding of the universe, orally before ever written, Includes: Rig Vedas- first and most important, Yajur Veda (knowledge of rites), Sama-Veda (knowledge of chants), Atharva Veda (knowledge given by sage Atharva to ward off evil, prayers)
Term
Mantras
Definition
hymns to the gods
Term
Brahmanas
Definition
ritual materials, instructions for sacrifices and worshiping (part of the Vedas)
Term
Upanishads
Definition
last part of Vedas, philosophical material, mystical
Term
Brahma
Definition
the creator
Term
Vishnu
Definition
the preserver (manifested in Krishna and Ramo)
Term
Shiva
Definition
The destroyer
Term
Ganesh
Definition
providing god, elephant
Term
Reincarnation
Definition
reborn into someone/thing else, cycle of life, death, and rebirth, determined by karma
Term
Karma
Definition
drives reincarnation, determines how the person will be reborn, can be an animal or human, act out decisions made in past lives
Term
Samsara Wheel
Definition
the soul wanders across into other times and bodies, life force doesn't die,
Term
Moksha
Definition
goal of Hinduism, to break free from samsara and karma
Term
The Law of Manu
Definition
written between 300 BCE-CE, ethical and social standards, explains 4 varna (classes)
Term
Dharma
Definition
duties, how to live life, outlined by the Law of Manu
Term
4 Stages of Life of a Male Hindu
Definition
Student (Learn from elder/teacher/study Vedas)
Householder (marry within caste)
3/4- Hermit/Forest Dweller (meditation, break from earthly life) people come to you for advice
Term
Cows symbolize
Definition
fertility
Term
Yoga
Definition
connect the divine with the human
Term
Kama
Definition
desire/passion
Term
artha
Definition
wealth
Term
Jannana Yoga
Definition
knowledge
Term
Bhakti Yoga
Definition
devotion to a god
Term
Karma Yoga
Definition
reverse karma, detachment of soul from world
Term
Raja Yoga
Definition
Royal, control over mind and emotion
Term
Diwali "Divali"
Definition
A Hindu festival of lights, celebrates day universe was created
Term
Ahimsa
Definition
non violence
Term
Vedas restraints:
Definition
1) Ahimsa
2)Truthfulness
3)no stealing
4) avoid promiscuity
5)forgiveness 6)steadfastness/determination 7)compassion
8)honesty
Term
Kama Sutra
Definition
An ancient Sanskrit treatise on the art of love and sexual technique
Term
Ganges River
Definition
Holy, cleanses, connected to god(s), bathed in
Term
4 different sects of Hinduism
Definition
Shaiva
Vaishnava
Shakta
Smarta
Term
Trimurti
Definition
the three most important Hindu gods: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma
Term
magic
Definition
not faith based, manipulation of nature, quick fix
Term
divination
Definition
communicating with the divine, can be through an intermediary (priest)
Term
totem
Definition
A natural object or animal believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and adopted by it as an emblem, Native American and African
Term
Animism
Definition
spirit in everything (nature, animals, people), take only what you need
Term
taboo
Definition
A social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing
Term
sacrifice
Definition
means "to make holy"
giving something up to show devotion, a gift to a deity, strengthens relationship,
Term
rite of passage
Definition
a ritual performed in some cultures at times when an individual changes status (as from adolescence to adulthood)
Term
vision quest
Definition
An attempt to achieve a vision of a future guardian spirit, traditionally undertaken at puberty by boys
Term
peyote
Definition
cactus, hallucinogenic, smoked by Native Americans in worship
Term
deist
Definition
believes god created the world and is no longer involved
Term
theist
Definition
believes god created the world and is still heavily involved
Term
Humanism
Definition
An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems
Term
Christian Atheism
Definition
an ideology in which the God of Christianity is rejected but the moral teachings of Jesus are followed.
Term
Mother Earth
Definition
female earth spirit and personification of nature in Native American religions
Term
Great Spirit
Definition
High God, personal god, may not have a personality but be a divine/sacred power revealed in nature, humans, and the spirit world
Term
Wakan Tanka
Definition
Great Spirit to the Sioux
Term
Native American Church
Definition
combines elements of Christianity and Nat. American religions
Term
Ancestry is most important to
Definition
African Traditional Religions
Term
divinator
Definition
communicates the spirit world to people in ATR, respected, sought after
Term
Azande beliefs
Definition
-people have either a good or bad conscious based on whether he/she is doing the bidding of God or the Devil
Term
Religious Offices in ATR- Priest
Definition
intermediary between tribe and a deity presides at altar
Term
Religious Offices in ATR- Healer
Definition
diagnoses and treats mental/psychological/physical problems, more broad than a medical doctor, advises in all aspects of life, believe in the ancestors impact on life
Term
Religious Offices in ATR- Rain Maker
Definition
bring about or stop rain by manipulating environment
Term
Henotheism
Definition
One god but there may be others (some ATR) each clan attributes itself to a specific god
Term
patronage in ATR
Definition
each deity has a specific trade/area (similar to Catholic patron saints)
Term
Most ATRS are
Definition
Polytheistic
Term
libation
Definition
a pouring out of wine or other liquid in honor of a deity, or other gift onto soil
Term
possession in ATR
Definition
priests are mounted/taken over by deities/spirits during ceremonies, speak in tongues, must be interpreted, brought on my music, dancing, drums
Term
dual divinity
Definition
creator responsible for the world, rituals and prayers, like a hero, teaches and provides subsistence to a tribe ex. crops grow- blessed by Great Spirit
Term
The Lakota and Dakota are
Definition
monotheistic
Term
creation theories in Nat. Am religions
Definition
each tribe has a story, some believe animals evolved into humans, great connection/ respect for animals
Term
cosmology in Nat. Am. Religions
Definition
many layers like a tree,
roots- underground
trunk- natural world
top- sky world
Term
shaman
Definition
a person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc.
Term
sweat lodge
Definition
sauna, sweat out impurities, men only, rituals of healing
Term
hunting ceremonies
Definition
after an animal is killed N.A. try to appease the spirit of the animal and convince others to die in the future
Term
Native Americans view of prophets
Definition
don't believe in, see it as a mockery of God
Term
Jok
Definition
dangerous spirits in ATR specifically in Uganda
Term
Yoruba
Definition
West African ethnic group whose religion strongly influences the development of African American religions
Term
Nuer
Definition
East African ethnic group with a strong belief in the High God
Term
Ajwaka
Definition
African religions functionary who heals by driving out evil spirits believed to cause sickness
Term
Voodoo
Definition
African American religion combining ATR and Christian beliefs
Supporting users have an ad free experience!