World Religions Vocab

Judaism

• A polytheistic religion practiced in ancient Egypt.

• The monotheistic religion of the Jews having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud.

• A belief system centered around the worship of multiple gods in Greek mythology.

• A philosophical movement that emphasizes reason and ethics over religious beliefs.

Polytheism

• Belief in one god.

• Belief in multiple gods.

• Belief in no gods.

• Belief in a supreme being.

Islam

• The monotheistic religious system of Muslims.

• A polytheistic belief system from ancient Egypt.

• A philosophical movement focused on ethics and morality.

• A political ideology advocating for socialism.

Christianity

• A polytheistic religion based on the teachings of multiple prophets.

• A monotheistic system of beliefs based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament, emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior.

• A belief system that rejects the existence of any deity.

• A philosophical movement focused on human reason and ethics without reference to the divine.

Buddhism

• A belief system that promotes the idea of a single deity and eternal life in heaven.

• The teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth.

• A philosophy that emphasizes the importance of material wealth and success in life.

• A religion that focuses on the worship of ancestors and the importance of family ties.

Karma

• Effects of one's actions that determine his or her destiny.

• A belief in fate without personal responsibility.

• A system of rewards and punishments in the afterlife.

• A philosophical concept unrelated to personal actions.

Tolerance

• Willingness to respect the beliefs or practices of others.

• A method of enforcing one's own beliefs on others.

• A lack of interest in other cultures and practices.

• An approach to eliminate differences among people.

Monotheism

• Belief in multiple gods.

• Belief in a single God.

• Belief in no gods.

• Belief in a pantheon of gods.

Religion

• A strong belief in supernatural powers that control destiny.

• A set of rules governing moral behavior.

• A scientific explanation of natural phenomena.

• A cultural practice without any spiritual significance.

Reincarnation

• A second or new birth.

• A state of eternal rest.

• A form of spiritual enlightenment.

• A cycle of life and death.