Secularism and Indigenous Practices Quiz

Exam Breakdown

• Part A: Multiple Choice (20 marks)
• Part B: Short Answer (20 marks)
• Part C: Extended Response (40 marks)
• Total marks: 80

Secularism

• No spiritual affiliation (secular culture)
• Beginning of the separation between church and state

Indigenous

Medicine Wheel Teachings

• East: Spring, represents life and everything it gives
• South: Summer, look after spirits, balance within
• West: Autumn, end of physical journey, spiritual world
• North: Winter, nurture and take care of body

Indigenous Rituals

• Potlatch: Special events (marriage, birth, death), shows status, gifts of blankets, beadwork, etc.
• Sundance: Renews dedication to the Great Spirit, central cottonwood tree, purifying sweat lodge, dancing, fasting, piercing body
• Smudging: Removes negative thoughts, purifies people and places
• Powwow: Dance of renewal, restoration of relationships, celebrates identity, heritage, language, circle, blessed by a spiritual leader, clockwise

Grandfather Teachings

• Love: Knowing love is to know peace
• Respect: Honoring creation by showing respect
• Bravery: Facing a problem with integrity, true demonstration of bravery
• Truth: Knowing cultural teachings, acting without regret
• Honesty: Bravery to say what is right
• Humility: Knowing you are part of creation
• Wisdom: These teachings with life experiences

Hinduism

• Moksha: Liberation from cycles of life, death, and rebirth
• Ahimsa: Non-violence, not causing harm to living things

Karma

• Actions in this life affect future lives
• Good dharma leads to good karma, reincarnation

Path of Knowledge (Raja Yoga)

• Illusion of material world is strong
• Meditation to see the world truly
• Spiritual quest for knowledge and truth
• Study with a guru

Buddhism

Noble Eightfold Path

• Right Thinking: Blueprint for life (Four Noble Truths)
• Right Intention: Correct attitude, no harm to others, good thoughts
• Right Speech: Respect, don't criticize, harsh language, or gossip
• Right Action: Behave well, don’t kill, steal, or be promiscuous
• Right Livelihood: Earn a living without harming others
• Right Effort: Avoid evil thoughts, strive for good thoughts
• Right Mindfulness: Focus on the present, beyond attachments
• Right Concentration: Focus mind on one thought, leads to enlightenment

Five Precepts

• Avoid killing/harming living beings
• Avoid stealing
• Avoid improper sexual conduct
• Avoid false speech (lies, gossiping)
• Avoid intoxicants

Life of the Buddha

• Siddhartha Gautama, lived a luxurious life
• Four sights (sick, ascetic, death, old age)
• Wanted different experiences
• Enlightenment (Nirvana)

Symbols of Judaism

• Shema: Declaration of faith in one God

Christianity

• The Filioque Clause: "and the Son" added to the Nicene Creed, trinity, all connected
• Pentecost: Apostles receive the Holy Spirit, Christian church birthday
• Events and key people of the Protestant Reformation:
  • John Calvin: Founder of Presbyterian Church, Calvinism, purification
  • Martin Luther: Problems with Catholic Church, 95 theses, faith vs. good works
  • King Henry VIII: Created Anglicanism, political reasons, no pope
• Ethical guidelines: Love, forgiveness, compassion
• Teachings on suffering: Jesus's death on the cross for forgiveness
• Concepts of the afterlife: Heaven or hell

Islam

• Pillars of Islam:
  • Shahada (Faith): Belief in One God
  • Salat (Prayer): Five daily prayers
  • Zakat (Charity): Giving to the needy
  • Sawm (Fasting): During Ramadan
  • Hajj (Pilgrimage): To Mecca
• Ramadan: Fasting, joy, gratitude
• Ethical guidelines

Judaism

• Yom Kippur: Holiest day of the year, purification, forgiveness
• Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year, reflection, fresh start
• Hanukkah: Festival of Lights, rededication of Temple, eight days

Key Teachings of All Religions

• Compassion, generosity, fairness, justice
• Kindness to all, care for others in need, value of life
• Inner peace, humility, self-restraint, mindfulness
• Honouring creation, avoiding harm
• Working to nurture the world