Judaism and Major World Religions

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between relocation diffusion and expansion diffusion?

There is no significant difference between the two types of diffusion.

Relocation diffusion is only applicable to languages, while expansion diffusion is for cultures.

Relocation diffusion occurs through the movement of people, while expansion diffusion spreads on its own. (correct)

Relocation diffusion spreads rapidly, whereas expansion diffusion is slow.

Which of the following best describes a cultural landscape?

A natural environment devoid of human influence.

Only the presence of tall buildings in a city.

A location that only focuses on recreational activities without cultural context.

A combination of people, buildings, and infrastructure shaped by cultural factors. (correct)

What trait is NOT considered a part of place making?

People

Big parking lots (correct)

Cultural landscape

Buildings

Which of the following is the highest percentage region for Muslims?

Middle East and North Africa Signup and view all the answers

In the context of languages, what does the term 'families' refer to?

Groups of languages descended from a common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

What element is NOT typically analyzed when studying cultural landscapes?

Colors of vehicles Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with starting the diffusion of Indo-European languages?

The Kurgans Signup and view all the answers

What is the essential component necessary for the development of dialects?

A stable community of speakers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of ethnic religions?

They are tied to a specific location. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason dialects and languages are preserved in areas with low speaker counts, such as in the U.S.?

Tourism leading to increased interest. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between Judaism and the other two major monotheistic religions?

All three religions recognize Jerusalem as a sacred city. Signup and view all the answers

What type of diffusion is primarily associated with the spread of Judaism?

Relocation diffusion. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the founder of Christianity?

A central figure believed to be both divine and human. Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of Christianity is most prevalent in Eastern Europe?

Orthodox Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

Why did most Jewish people in the world later establish their homes in Israel?

As a result of historical exile and the Holocaust. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the primary demographic of the Republic of Ireland's religion?

Predominately Catholic. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the action of adopting and truly living a new culture?

Cultural assimilation Signup and view all the answers

Which type of diffusion involves the spread of a cultural trait due to individuals moving from one place to another?

Relocation diffusion Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a behavior that is forbidden by social or religious norms?

Taboo Signup and view all the answers

What does cultural relativism advocate?

Understanding cultures without prejudice Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to the mixing of different cultures to create a new culture?

Syncretism Signup and view all the answers

Which diffusion type spreads rapidly and widely among a population?

Contagious diffusion Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the feeling of a place being unique and special?

Sense of place Signup and view all the answers

What is ethnocentrism?

Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'creole language'?

A mix of multiple languages that forms a new, distinct language Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when a culture splits into two and develops increasingly different characteristics?

Cultural divergence Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Religion

There are five major religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism
Religions can be categorized as universalizing or ethnic
Universalizing religions seek to convert others to the religion
Ethnic religions do not actively seek out new members, but rather are tied to a specific ethnicity
Environmental determinism can influence religious beliefs and practices

Judaism

Judaism is an ethnic religion
It is the smallest of the five major religions
Judaism is monotheistic
Judaism originated in the Middle East/Southwest Asia
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share many similarities and common origins
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all consider Jerusalem a sacred city
The three religions also share the same prophet, Abraham
Jewish places of worship are called synagogues and temples
The Jewish holy book is the Torah
The Sabbath is a day of worship, celebrated on Friday night and Saturday
Jews adhere to a kosher diet

Christianity

Christianity is the world’s largest religion
Christianity originated as a sect of Judaism
The founder of Christianity is Jesus
Jesus' death and resurrection are central to Christian belief
Muslims also recognize Jesus as a prophet
Christians believe that Jesus is both human and God
The Christian Bible contains the New Testament, which details Jesus' teachings
The main branches of Christianity are Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodox Christianity
Christianity originated in Israel/Eastern Mediterranea
The early spread of Christianity was hierarchical, but later shifted to relocation diffusion

Islam

Islam is a universalizing religion
The founder of Islam is the prophet Muhammad
Muslims believe that Muhammad received revelations from God
The Quran is the holy book of Islam
Muslims believe in one God, Allah
The Five Pillars of Islam are the core tenets of the religion
Islam originated in Arabia, and spread throughout the Middle East and beyond
The Islamic places of worship are called mosques
The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that is performed by Muslims
The Ka’aba in Mecca is a cube-shaped building that is considered to be the holiest site in Islam
Islam is the second-largest religion in the world
The Islamic faith has two main branches: Sunni and Shi’a
There are various denominations within both Sunni and Shi’a branches

Hinduism

Hinduism is an ethnic religion
It is the third-largest religion in the world
Hinduism is polytheistic, but focuses on one supreme God, Brahman
Hindus believe in reincarnation, karma, and dharma
The Ganges River in India is considered sacred in Hinduism
Temples and shrines are significant sites of worship in Hinduism
Hindus focus on the concept of moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth

Buddhism

Buddhism is an ethnic religion
It is the fourth-largest religion in the world
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who was also known as the Buddha
Gautama attained enlightenment and shared his teachings
Buddhism originated in India
The core Buddhist teachings include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
Nirvana is the ultimate goal in Buddhism
Many Buddhists practice meditation
There are various types of Buddhism, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana
Buddhism spread widely to countries like China, Japan, Tibet, and Korea

Languages

Languages can be written and spoken, but not always both
Languages change over time
Languages are a fundamental part of culture
Languages are organized into groups based on their common ancestry
A dialect is a regional variation of a language
An accent is a regional variation in pronunciation
A pidgin language is a simplified language developed for communication between speakers of different languages
A Creole language evolves from pidgin languages and becomes more complex, with its own unique syntax and grammar
A lingua franca is a language that is widely used for communication between people who speak different native languages, often used for commerce and international relations

Cultural Landscape

A cultural landscape is the visible impact of human activity and culture on the landscape
Places are made more welcoming and desirable through place making
Sequent occupance refers to a location that is occupied sequentially by different cultures
Toponyms are place names

Cultural Diffusion

Cultural diffusion is the spread of ideas, innovations, and cultural practices from their origin points to new areas
Relocation diffusion refers to the spread of culture as people migrate to new regions and bring their cultural practices with them
Expansion diffusion refers to the spread of culture through the growth and development of a culture within its own area
Hierarchical diffusion is a form of expansion diffusion that occurs from powerful and influential people or institutions to other members of the culture
The hearth of something indicates where it originated
Cultural convergence occurs when different cultures come into contact and become more similar
Cultural divergence occurs when cultures that were once similar become more distinct, often due to separation
A cultural trait is a characteristic of a culture
Cultural imperialism is the forced imposition of a culture or set of beliefs onto another culture
Placelessness describes a sense of uniformity and lack of unique character in places
A sense of place refers to a feeling of connection or attachment to a particular location, often influenced by its unique features and experiences

Place Making Traits

Place making refers to the intentional shaping of a place to create a sense of belonging and connection
Places have unique characteristics that can include people, buildings, infrastructure, the surrounding environment, and cultural landscapes
Big parking lots are generally not considered place making
When analyzing a cultural landscape you should consider features such as building types and locations, building size, and building age
Infrastructure refers to the basic physical systems of a place, such as roads, railroads, canals, electricity, and internet access
Transportation includes how, when, and where people travel within a culture
Cultural landscape and place making are important aspects of interpreting and understanding a culture

Culture

Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a group of people
Cultural beliefs and practices are always evolving and changing
Customs are actions that are frequently performed within a group and become characteristic of that group
A taboo is a prohibited act or behavior within a culture
Ethnocentrism is judging other cultures by the standards of one's own culture
Cultural relativism is the practice of understanding and respecting other cultures without judgment
Folk culture is traditionally practiced by groups in homogeneous, rural, and isolated areas
Popular culture is widespread and shared by larger, heterogeneous societies, and often reflects mass media and consumerism
Cultural assimilation refers to the process of adopting the culture of a new society and integrating into its way of life
Forced assimilation involves coercion to adopt a new culture
Multiculturalism describes a society where diverse cultures coexist
Syncretism occurs when different cultures blend together, creating new cultural practices and traditions
Socialization refers to the process of learning and internalizing cultural norms and values
Acculturation is the process of learning a new culture
Cultural imperialism refers to the forced imposition of a culture or set of beliefs onto another culture
Cultural convergence occurs when different cultures come into contact and become more similar
Cultural divergence occurs when cultures that were once similar become more distinct, often due to separation
Cultural divergence occurs when cultures that were once similar become more distinct, often due to separation

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Description

Explore the key concepts and characteristics of Judaism and its relation to other major world religions. Understand the distinctions between universalizing and ethnic religions, and learn about the significance of Jerusalem and common prophets. This quiz delves into religious practices, beliefs, and origins.