Role: A teacher in a religious school for Sikh children.
Origin/Language: Punjabi.
Spiritual Goals and Concepts
The ultimate goal is to attain Mukti (spiritual liberation).
A desired state is being in the presence of God.
One of the five vices (sins) is Sloth.
Symbols and Institutions
Sacred Scripture: The Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib).
Place of Worship: The Gurdwara.
Symbolic Attire: A turban, indicating allegiance to the Sikh community.
Judaism: History, Scripture, and Tradition
Foundational History and Texts
Approximate Early History: 1200 BCE.
Historical Evidence: The Merneptah Stone/Stele.
Jews commonly refer to their Scriptures as the “TaNaKh.” (True)
The biblical Patriarchs were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The concept of Covenant is central to Jewish theology.
The Torah cannot be translated and is only legitimately scripture when read in Hebrew. (This statement is generally considered False regarding translation, but emphasizes the sanctity of Hebrew.)
Definition of Scripture: A collection of sacred writings.
Theology and Practice
Names of God:YHWH and Elohim.
Central Prayer:The Shema.
Judaism is characterized as an evolving religious culture.
Non-Kosher Food Example:Lobster.
The Word of God (A key theological concept).
Historical Events and Figures
Destruction of the First Temple:586 BCE.
The prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt was Abraham. False (It was Moses).
The founder of the Hasidic movement was known as the Baal Shem Tov. True.
Founder of Zionism:Theodor Herzl.
Historical Site: A mountain fortress near the Dead Sea (Masada).
Geographic Center of Ashkenazi Jewry:Europe, especially Eastern Europe.
Covenant with Jesus – Messiah (A concept central to Christianity, often used in contrast to Jewish messianic expectations).
Whirlwind (A biblical motif, often associated with divine revelation or judgment, e.g., in the Book of Job).
Holidays and Observances
Holy City:Jerusalem.
Major Holidays:Hanukkah and Passover.
The Jewish holiday of Purim recounts the exploits of Haman and Mordechai, and is found in the Biblical book of Esther.
Shabbat, the Jewish holy day, is celebrated only on Saturday morning. False (It begins Friday evening and ends Saturday evening).
Zoroastrianism: Dualism and Cosmic Struggle
Theology and Cosmology
Core Concept:Dualism (The struggle between good and evil).
Supreme Deity:Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord).
Evil Force/The Lie:Druj.
A great cosmic struggle is being played out, with forces of evil aligned against forces of good. True.
The struggle occurs in the realm of the physical world.
Zoroastrianism emphasizes the importance of spirit and thought and matter and physicality.
Goal:Complete purification.
Shared Concepts with other Religions:Dualism and a final judgment.
Related Religion:Manichaeism.
Opposite of Order:Chaos.
History and Scripture
Origin:Iran.
Zarathushtra had initial difficulty in persuading others to accept his teachings.
Sacred Scripture: The Avesta.
The oldest part of the Avesta consists of hymns attributed to Zarathushtra (The Gathas).
Early biographical details are unavailable.
A major historical outcome was the marginalization of Zoroastrianism.
Modern Practice
Community in India:Parsis.
Modern Location:India.
Zoroastrianism teaches avoidance of the enjoyments of the body, regarding embodiment of spirit as a negative thing. False.
Fire Temple Practice: Candle flames are not extinguished but rather allowed to burn out.
Hinduism: Dharma, Karma, and Moksha
Fundamental Concepts
The goal of life, and the religious solution in Hinduism is Moksha (Liberation).
Core beliefs include the concepts of karma, samsara, reincarnation of the soul, and the soul’s immortality.
Hindus believe in an undying soul or self, known as the Atman.
“Dharma” means: All of the above (Duty, righteousness, cosmic order, detailed prescriptions for correct behavior in all aspects of life).
Hindus practice Ahimsa (Non-violence).
A term that encompasses all words and all things they represent (often associated with Om or Brahman).
Mahatma means 'Great Soul'.
Scripture and Language
Primary Scriptures: The Vedas.
A sub-section of the Vedas (likely the Upanishads).
Sacred Language:Sanskrit.
Deities and Paths
The Great Goddess:Devi (Shakti).
Paths to Liberation (Marga):Kali Marga (A path or yoga, possibly a reference to Karma Marga or Bhakti Marga).
Duty or Devotion (Concepts related to Dharma and Bhakti).
