General Knowledge Quiz: Religion

Which of the following is a characteristic of all religions?

• Existence of a holy book or sacred text

• Belief in a higher power

• Practices and rituals devoted to God

• A clear organizational hierarchy

What is the holy text in Christianity?

What is proselytization?

• Staying in your religion but not practicing it

• Repenting your sins before God

• Converting into another religion

• Carrying out attempts to instill beliefs or convert someone's religion

What is the de facto oldest religion in the world, according to current evidence?

• Buddhism

• Hinduism

• Zoroastrianism

• Islam

Answer explanation

Hinduism is widely thought to be the world's oldest religion, with evidence dating back to c. 2,000 BCE.

To put it into perspective:

c. 2,000 - 1,000 BCE: Hinduism

c. 1,000 - 750 BCE: Ancient Greek Religion

c. 550 BCE: Confucianism

c. 400 - 5 BCE: Buddhism

c. 1 - 33 CE: Life of Jesus Christ

570-632 CE: Life of Prophet Muhammad

What is the holiest city in Islam?

• Qatar

• Jerusalem

• Madinah

• Mecca

Answer explanation

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam as it is home to the ka'aba, the structure Muslims face during solat prayer.

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam, as it is the final resting place of Prophet Muhammad.

Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem is the third holiest city in Islam due to its rich history in the early days of Islam, including being where site where Prophet Muhammad visited heaven in a single night (Isra' & Mi'raj).

What is the name or title of highest religious leader in the Catholic Church?

Answer explanation

Of the following, which is not an Abrahamic religion?

• Judaism

• Islam

• Hinduism

• Christianity

Answer explanation

The Abrahamic religions are religions where the figure of Abraham plays a key role and narrative in its texts and traditions. The most notable are Islam (Ibrahim), Christianity, and Judaism (Avraham).

Who is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism?

• The Buddha

• The Dalai Lama

• Bodhisattva

Answer explanation

The Buddha: Founder of Buddhism. A figure of reverence and wisdom within the religion but not an active, material spiritual leader.

Dalai Lama: A title held by the leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. A unifying face of Tibetan Buddhist spirituality and identity since the 17th century.

Bodhisattva: A person far advanced on the path to Buddhahood, achieving degrees of englightenment beyond normal mortal personhood and venerated in certain sects of Buddhism.

(Technically it is believed that the Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, but since the specific triumphs over the general, only the Dalai Lama would be a valid answer.)

What is the second largest branch of Islam?

• Ibadi

• Sunni

• Shia

Answer explanation

Sunni: The largest branch of Islam followed by ~80-90% of Muslims in the world (including Malaysia).

Shia: The second largest branch of Islam found mostly in the Middle East (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, etc.).

Ibadi: A lesser known branch of Islam found in Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.

I am indifferent to God as I do not believe it is possible to know or prove whether God exists or does not exist. What am I?

• Atheist

• Agnostic

• Polytheist

• Monotheist

Answer explanation

Atheist: I do not believe in God, God does not exist.

Agnostic: God cannot be proven or unproven, I don't know if God exists.

Polytheist: I believe in more than 1 God.

Monotheist: I believe in only 1 God.