PHRE Midterm (includes quizzes 1-3)

The Seven Dimensions of Religion (Ninian Smart) & their meaning

- Ritual/Performative: symbolic actions done collectively or privately that transform the experience of the world from profane to sacred. May portray/enact a portion of a myth. Includes: holidays, religious meals, rites of passage - Narrative/Mythic: stories (often regarded as revealed) that provide a meaning or explanation for the world as it is or should be. May be found in sacred scripture. Includes: Creation stories, histories of the gods, moral parables, life stories of religious figures or exemplars, stories celebrating a particular people, place, or time. -Experiential/Emotional: a change in consciousness, emotion, sensation, bodily states brought about through religious practices of any sort, including ritual, meditation, music, or social interaction. Includes: dread, guilt, awe, mystery, devotion, love, hate, liberation, ecstasy, inner peace, bliss, conversion. - Social/Institutional: rules for identifying community membership, roles, identities and participation. Includes: Leaders, teachers/gurus, clerical designations/hierarchies, social/racial/political divisions, gender roles, family expectations, educational systems, sects. -Ethical/Legal: Rules about human behavior (often regarded as revealed from supernatural realm). Includes: Purity regulations, including those concerning bodily processes like food, sex, birth, and death; principles for achieving personal and social well-being or harmony; social/familial duties and obligations; provisions for meting out judgement and justice; general morals. -Doctrinal/Philosophical: systematic formulation of religious teachings in an intellectually coherent form. May be found in sacred scriptures. Includes: official dogma, theologies, delineations of godly powers/ roles, cosmologies, theodicies (theories of suffering and evil), beliefs about death and the afterlife, reincarnation, the soul, the meaning of life, human nature. - Material/Artistic: objects or places that symbolize or manifest the sacred or supernatural. May be used in rituals. Includes: Icons, churches, temples, clothing, the human body, animals, instruments, sacred texts, food implements, statuaries, prayer/meditation facilitators

Match the following dates with the events in Jewish history they correspond to: 1250 BCE 587 BCE 70 CE 500-700 CE 1948 CE a. Second Temple destroyed by Romans; beginning of Diaspora b. Traditional date of the Exodus/Revelation at Sinai c. Modern State of Israel established. d. Destruction of the 1st Temple by the Babylonians e. Babylonian Talmud compiled

-1250 BCE--b. Traditional date of the Exodus/Revelation at Sinai -587 BCE--d. Destruction of the 1st Temple by the Babylonians -70 CE--a. Second Temple destroyed by Romans; beginning of Diaspora -500-700 CE--e. Babylonian Talmud compiled -1948 CE--c. Modern State of Israel established.

Match the Covenantal Promise with the Figure associated with it: Abraham Moses David a. Eternal Dynasty as King over Jerusalem b. Numerous descendants, a land (Canaan) flowing with milk and honey c. Protection of this people in exchange for obedience to the Law

-Abraham--b. Numerous descendants, a land (Canaan) flowing with milk and honey -Moses--c. Protection of this people in exchange for obedience to the Law -David--a. Eternal Dynasty as King over Jerusalem

In Judaism, what are the Five Books of Moses (Torah or Pentateuch)?

-Genesis -Exodus -Leviticus -Numbers -Deuteronomy

In Judaism, who are the prophets (Nevi'im)?

-Israelite history: Joshua Judges Samuel Kings (I & II) -Major prophets: Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel -Minor prophets:The Book of the Twelve: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadia, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Hagai, Zechariah, and Malachi

Covenantal figure-God's obligation -ppl's obligation-Sign Noah Abraham Moses David

-Noah-Not to destroy the earth in anger/with water again-none-Rainbow -Abraham-To make Abraham the father of many descendents, a great nation, and give them the Promised Land (Canaan)-none-Circumcision -Moses-To protect (i.e. "save") the People of Israel-To obey God's commandments, worship only Him (monotheism)-10 Command-ments/ Ark of the Covenant/ People of Israel -David-To guarantee that there would always be a member of the House of David on the throne in Jerusalem (an "annointed one" moshiach - "messiah")----none-Kingdom of God on Earth (namely, Jerusalem), Davidic King as ruler

Match the Yoga with its description or focus: Raja Jnana Bhakti Karma a. Path of Intellect or Knowing b. Path of Action c. "King Yoga," path of experience, bodily discipline of mind and spirit d. Path of Devotion

-Raja--c. "King Yoga," path of experience, bodily discipline of mind and spirit -Jnana--a. Path of Intellect or Knowing -Bhakti--d. Path of Devotion -Karma--b. Path of Action

There are 3 sections of the Hebrew Scriptures or Jewish Bible. Their initials (TNK) form the common acronym "TaNaKh." What are they?

-TORAH (Law or teachings) -NEVI'IM (Prophets) -KETHUVIM (Writings)

Match the following terms with their meaning: maya dharma atman Vishnu Brahman Brahmin darshan puja a. Priestly caste b. To see directly or intuitively, to realize Truth; to be seen and blessed by a god c. Ultimate Reality, the Oneness of the Cosmos d. Daily ritual of food and scents offered to a god e. God of Preservation, who has incarnated as Vyasa, Rama, and Krishna f. Illusory reality; this world; "the profane" g. Law, duty, ethics, proper action, morals, structure of the cosmos h. The Self, soul; "ray of Brahman"; "THAT THOU ART"

-maya--f. Illusory reality; this world; "the profane" -dharma--g. Law, duty, ethics, proper action, morals, structure of the cosmos -atman--h. The Self, soul; "ray of Brahman"; "THAT THOU ART" -Vishnu--e. God of Preservation, who has incarnated as Vyasa, Rama, and Krishna -Brahman--c. Ultimate Reality, the Oneness of the Cosmos -Brahmin--a. Priestly caste -darshan--b. To see directly or intuitively, to realize Truth; to be seen and blessed by a god -puja--d. Daily ritual of food and scents offered to a god

Match the terms with their meanings: -myth -phenomenology -orthodox -monistic -dogma -cosmogony -transcendent -eschatology -redaction -charisma a. Sacred account of the creation of the world b. Doctrines proclaimed as absolutely true c. Standing strictly by a traditional form of a religious practice and belief d. Any sacred, symbolic story that defines a people's place and meaning in the world e. Beliefs about the end of the world f. The process of editing and organizing scripture. g. Existing above and outside of the material universe. h. A quality of personal magnetism often ascribed to the founders of a religion. i. The investigation of religious phenomena in order to comprehend their spiritual intention and meaning; the scholarly stance of seeing religions as they see themselves. j. Believing in one sacred reality or substance underlying all apparent differences

-myth--d. Any sacred, symbolic story that defines a people's place and meaning in the world -phenomenology--i. The investigation of religious phenomena in order to comprehend their spiritual intention and meaning; the scholarly stance of seeing religions as they see themselves. -orthodox--c. Standing strictly by a traditional form of a religious practice and belief -monistic--j. Believing in one sacred reality or substance underlying all apparent differences -dogma--b. Doctrines proclaimed as absolutely true -cosmogony--a. Sacred account of the creation of the world -transcendent--g. Existing above and outside of the material universe. -eschatology--e. Beliefs about the end of the world -redaction--f. The process of editing and organizing scripture. -charisma--h. A quality of personal magnetism often ascribed to the founders of a religion.

"Outsider" religious scholars are obligated to do which of the following (as opposed to "insiders")? a. Comprehend religions in ways other than how they comprehend themselves b. Step outside of their own religious perceptions c. Have a direct knowledge of traditional symbols, values, and rituals d. Affirm that religion, as human experience and behavior, is influenced by forces that are open to scholarly investigation

A,B,D a. Comprehend religions in ways other than how they comprehend themselves b. Step outside of their own religious perceptions d. Affirm that religion, as human experience and behavior, is influenced by forces that are open to scholarly investigation

-Jewish Bible=LIBRARY Because the TaNaKh is a collection of books by different authors, from different times, representing different genres, it's best to think of the Jewish Bible not as a book, but as a LIBRARY. Specifically, it is a library that documents the history and meaning of the Jewish relationship to their God.

HISTORIES: Joshua, Kings, Chronicles (a re-writing of Kings from after the Babylonian Exile), Ezra-Nehemiah POETRY: Song of Songs, Lamentations, Psalms (likely liturgical songs for Temple worship) WISDOM OR PHILOSOPHY: Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes SHORT FICTIONS: Ruth, Esther APOCALYPSE: Daniel

The Hebrew Bible is best understood as a: History book Novel Encyclopedia Library

Library

In Judaism, what are the the writings (Kethuvim)?

Psalms Proverbs Job The Songs of Songs Ruth Lamentations Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra Nehemiah I & II Chronicles

The form of Judaism that emerged out of Germany in the 19th century that modernized its service and beliefs, including rejecting the idea of the Choseness of the Jews or the need to return to Israel is called: Reform Orthodox Conservative Reconstructionist

Reform

DEUTERONOMISTIC THEODICY:

The explanation of evil that says that the Jewish people suffer in the world when they fall away from proper worship of the one true God

Extreme feelings of guilt and punishment, the breakout of war and intolerance, and the manipulation of political and economic systems can be examples of (choose ALL that apply): a.Aspects of religion that insiders are unaware of or ignore. b.Freudian and Marxist beliefs about the effects of religion c.The negative side of organized religion. d.None of the above.

a. Aspects of religion that insiders are unaware of or ignore. b. Freudian and Marxist beliefs about the effects of religion c. The negative side of organized religion.

Emil Fackenheim argues that the Holocaust or Shoah was unique for which of the following reasons (check all that apply): a.People were robbed of the freedom to die their own deaths b.A government had never targeted a people for genocide before c.The totality and precision of the bureaucracy in carrying out the "final solution" to a "problem" d.The crime of its victims was existing at all, and so planned to rid the world of every last member of that group.

a. People were robbed of the freedom to die their own deaths c. The totality and precision of the bureaucracy in carrying out the "final solution" to a "problem" d. The crime of its victims was existing at all, and so planned to rid the world of every last member of that group

In Indian philosophy, introspection into the Self is supremely important because (check ALL that apply): a.Reality is ultimately one and ultimately spiritual b.Truth is to be sought and found within c.It makes possible the direct perception and experience of the ultimate reality. d.The Self represents a unique individual soul endowed by a loving God.

a. Reality is ultimately one and ultimately spiritual b. Truth is to be sought and found within c. It makes possible the direct perception and experience of the ultimate reality.

The emphasis on right relationships in indigenous religions generally includes relationships to which of the following? Pick ALL that apply a. Ancestors b. Scripture c. Animals, Nature, and Creation d. Spirits and spiritual powers

a. Ancestors c. Animals, Nature, and Creation d. Spirits and spiritual powers

The "myth" or sacred story of Judaism that describes the revelation of divine Law that creates the people of Israel as a nation is called: a. Exodus b. Messiah c. Tanakh d. None of the above

a. Exodus

Traditional terms for the personal experience of an overwhelming Unseen Reality, awareness, insight, or truth might appropriately be called (pick ALL that apply): a. Gnosis b. Heresy c. Kensho d. Enlightenment

a. Gnosis c. Kensho d. Enlightenment

Which statements are true about the Sabbath (check all that apply)? a. It is "set apart" from the other days of the week, and work is "forbidden" during it. b. Jews are prohibited from making love during it. c. In it, humans emulate God at the time of Creation. d. It turns peoples' focus back to the Jewish home, family, community, and study of Torah.

a. It is "set apart" from the other days of the week, and work is "forbidden" during it. c. In it, humans emulate God at the time of Creation. d. It turns peoples' focus back to the Jewish home, family, community, and study of Torah.

Tensions exist in modern Israel between (check all that apply): a. Jewish settlers and Palestinians b. Jews of European origin (Ashkenazi) and of Middle Eastern (Sephardim) origin. c. Ultra-orthodox Jews and Conservative Jews d. Religious Jews and secular Jews.

a. Jewish settlers and Palestinians b. Jews of European origin (Ashkenazi) and of Middle Eastern (Sephardim) origin. c. Ultra-orthodox Jews and Conservative Jews d. Religious Jews and secular Jews.

The Sanskrit language is considered sacred by Hindus because it: a. Reflects the "sounds of the Cosmos" heard by the ancient rishis. b. Is a secret language known only to sannyasins c. Is the common tongue spoken throughout India today d. Is spoken by Shiva to Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita

a. Reflects the "sounds of the Cosmos" heard by the ancient rishis.

Descriptions of "the Sacred" or "the Holy" include (pick all that apply): a. That which is forbidden and set apart b. An aspect of time and space that lies outside of ordinary time and space. c. Random and arbitrary. d. Mysterium tremendum et fascinans: "A mystery both terrifying and awesome"

a. That which is forbidden and set apart b. An aspect of time and space that lies outside of ordinary time and space. d. Mysterium tremendum et fascinans: "A mystery both terrifying and awesome"

The names in English of the divisions of the Hebrew Bible are (check all that apply): a.Gospels b.Prophets c.Apocrypha d.Law or teachings (aka Torah or Pentateuch) e.Writings f.Old Testament

b. Prophets d. Law or teachings (aka Torah or Pentateuch) e. Writings

The latest of the Vedas, the Upanishads, are concerned with: a. Ritual instruction b. The unity of the Self with all things; the origin and return of the Self in Brahman c. Devotional worship d. The Heavenly Afterlife

b. The unity of the Self with all things; the origin and return of the Self in Brahman

Bhakti worship relates to God or The Sacred as: a. An abstract principle b. A beloved anthropomorphic figure c. The Void d. Nature

b. A beloved anthropomorphic figure

"Intelligent Design" is offered as an example of which type of relationship between science and religion? a. Conflict b. Integration c. Dialogue d. Separation

b. Integration

Functionalists such as Emile Durkheim suggest that religion promotes: a. An increase in believers through " being fruitful and multiplying " b. Stability and meaning for individuals and society c. Discomfort and disfiguration, like a growth d. True awareness of an actual, sacred "ultimate reality"

b. Stability and meaning for individuals and society

The command in the Jewish prayer known as the Shema to "bind [the Commandments] as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes" is fulfilled with what ritual objects? a. Mezuzzot b. T'fillin or phylacteries c. Bimah d. Mechitza

b. T'fillin or phylacteries

In Kristin Hahn's visit to the female guru, Ammachi is represented to her followers as: a. A sister and friend b. The Divine Mother, a form of "God" c. Kali, the destroying incarnation of Vishnu d. A phallic symbol

b. The Divine Mother, a form of "God"

The Talmud is comprised of: a. The written Torah and its commentaries b. The Mishnah (oral Torah) and its commentaries (gemara) c. The Mishnah and the Tanakh d. The Five Books of Moses

b. The Mishnah (oral Torah) and its commentaries (gemara)

The form of Judaism that is the most traditional in its observance of ritual law and practice is: a.Reform b.Orthodox c.Conservative d.Zionist

b.Orthodox

The Jewish notion of the Messiah is (check all that apply): a.The Son of God b.Person who is "annointed" for a divine role that ushers in a perfect age. c.King like David who restores the political sovereignty of Israel d.God incarnate

b.Person who is "annointed" for a divine role that ushers in a perfect age. c.King like David who restores the political sovereignty of Israel

The Ramayana and the Bhagavad-Gita, as smirti texts, contain: a. Ritual instruction b. Devotional love poems c. " Remembered" stories of gods and humans illustrating ideal roles and actions d. Directly revealed laws

c. " Remembered" stories of gods and humans illustrating ideal roles and actions

Karl Marx believes that religion is the "opium of the people" because: a. It sharpens one's perceptions of reality b. It reveals mystical truths c. It dulls one to the pain of oppression d. It followed trade routes in the East

c. It dulls one to the pain of oppression

The person in indigenous religious traditions who can move between the sacred and the profane worlds in order to communicate with spirits, bring healing, and maintain natural and social harmony is called a: a. Priest b. Storyteller c. Shaman d. Messiah

c. Shaman

In the Bhagavad-Gita, why does Krishna say Arjuna must fight his family in battle? a. They have been sentenced to capital punishment b. They are infidels and unbelievers c. To fulfill the dharma of his Warrior caste d. Revenge

c. To fulfill the dharma of his Warrior caste

In the Hymn of Man ( Parusha-sutka) the mouth, arms, thighs, and feet of the sacrifice create the four: a. Noble Truths b. corners of the earth c. castes d. major gods

c. castes

The central doctrine of Judaism is: a.The Messiah will come b.The Messiah has come c.The Temple in Jerusalem is the only legitimate center of worship. d.Jews have a special relationship with the One God

d. Jews have a special relationship with the One God

Which of Ninian Smart's "Seven Dimensions of Religion" identifies the sacred nature of what storytellers do in indigenous traditions? a. Doctrinal/Philosophical b. Material/Artistic c. Experiential/Emotional d. Narrative/Mythic

d. Narrative/Mythic

Samsara

karmic cycle, cycle of rebirth

Moksha

karmic escape- possible after millions of lifetimes (release from the cycle of rebirth)