Understanding Religion Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is the difference between universal and ethnic religions?

Universal religions aim for conversion, while ethnic religions are tied to a specific group.

What are the main religions in each category?

Universal: Christianity; Ethnic: Hinduism.

What is the difference between branches, denominations, and sects?

Branch is a large division within a religion; denomination is a division of a branch; sect is a small group breaking away from a denomination.

Which is the world's largest religion both in number of adherents and spatial extent? Roughly what percentage of the world's population follows this religion?

Christianity, roughly 31%. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main divisions within Christianity?

Roman Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox. Signup and view all the answers

Where in the world does Eastern Orthodoxy predominate?

Slavic Europe and Russia. Signup and view all the answers

Organizationally, would you say that Eastern Orthodoxy is united or fragmented?

It was united but is becoming increasingly fragmented. Signup and view all the answers

What branch of Christianity accounts for about one-half of all Christians?

Western Christianity - Roman Catholic. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the broad spatial distribution of the main Christian denominations within Europe.

Eastern Europe (Slavic) is Eastern Orthodox; Northern Europe and parts of Great Britain/Germany are Protestant; the rest are Catholic. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the main features of the denominational map of the United States and Canada.

East Canada is mainly Catholic; the rest is mainly Protestant; Northeast US and West are Catholic, Southeast and Midwest are Protestant; Alaska is roughly 50/50. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do North America and Latin America differ religiously?

Latin America is almost all Catholic; North America is about 50/50. Signup and view all the answers

Roughly how many people around the world are Muslims?

About 1 in every 5 (1.6 billion). Signup and view all the answers

Describe the spatial distribution of Islam. Which five countries have the largest number of Muslims?

Largest concentration in Southeast Asia, mainly in Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Signup and view all the answers

When did Islam originate?

6th or 7th century. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship, if any, between the God that Muslims, Christians, and Jews worship?

They all worship the same God but with different names. Signup and view all the answers

How do Muslims conceive Mohammed?

He is the messenger who received the word of God and wrote it in the Koran. Signup and view all the answers

How do Muslims conceive of Jesus Christ?

They think of him as a messenger, not as a part of God. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the major faiths are monotheistic?

Christianity, Islam, Judaism. Signup and view all the answers

What, exactly, is the Koran?

The literal word of God that was written by Muhammad. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five pillars of Islam?

<ol> <li>There is only one universal God: Allah; 2) Must pray five times a day facing Mecca; 3) Must pay a yearly tax intended to help the poor and needy; 4) Must fast during Ramadan; 5) All able Muslims must make the pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the major division within Islam?

Shiite (believed Muhammad's grandson should lead) and Sunni (believed a wise person should lead). Signup and view all the answers

To which branch do most Muslims belong?

Sunni. Signup and view all the answers

Which country has by far the largest concentration of Shi'ites?

Iran. Signup and view all the answers

How and where did Buddhism originate?

Originated in Northern India in Nepal, derived from Hinduism. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Four Noble Truths?

<ol> <li>Life is full of suffering; 2) Desire and attachment are the cause of suffering; 3) The end of suffering comes with the quelling of desire; 4) Desire is overcome through the Eightfold Path.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the spatial distribution of Buddhism.

99% of Buddhists live in South and Southeast Asia. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Religious Categories

Universal religions aim for a global reach and focus on converting others.
Ethnic religions are tied to specific cultural or ethnic groups, often closely linked to heritage.

Major World Religions

Christianity is a universal religion.
Hinduism is categorized as an ethnic religion.

Religious Divisions

A branch represents a significant division within a religion.
A denomination is a subset of a branch, consisting of multiple congregations under a legal and administrative structure.
A sect is a smaller group that has separated from an established denomination.

Largest Religion

Christianity is the largest religion globally, with approximately 31% of the world’s population identifying as adherents.

Christianity's Major Divisions

The three main divisions within Christianity are Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Eastern Orthodoxy's Distribution

Predominantly found in Slavic Europe and Russia.

Organizational Unity of Eastern Orthodoxy

Historically united, Eastern Orthodoxy is showing signs of increasing fragmentation.

Major Branch of Christianity

Roman Catholicism accounts for about half of all Christians worldwide.

Christian Denominations in Europe

Eastern Europe mainly practices Eastern Orthodoxy.
Northern Europe, along with parts of Great Britain and Germany, is predominantly Protestant.
Southern and Western Europe is primarily Catholic.

Religious Landscape of North America and Canada

Catholicism dominates in Eastern Canada and pockets of the U.S.
The Northeast U.S. and parts of the Central U.S. lean Catholic, while the Southeast and Midwest are predominantly Protestant.
Alaska exhibits a roughly equal mix of Catholic and Protestant populations.

Religious Differences Between Americas

Latin America is predominantly Catholic, whereas North America is more evenly split between Catholicism and Protestantism.

Global Muslim Population

Approximately 1.6 billion Muslims exist globally, roughly 1 in every 5 people.

Distribution of Islam

Majority of Muslims are located in Southeast Asia, not the Middle East.
The five countries with the largest Muslim populations are Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

Origin of Islam

Islam originated in the 6th or 7th century.

Commonality of God in Abrahamic Faiths

Muslims, Christians, and Jews worship the same deity, albeit with different names.

Perception of Muhammad in Islam

Muhammad is viewed as the messenger of God who revealed the words recorded in the Koran.

Jesus Christ in Islam

Jesus is recognized as a messenger but is not considered divine.

Monotheistic Faiths

Major monotheistic religions include Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Definition of the Koran

The Koran is regarded as the literal word of God as conveyed to Muhammad.

The Five Pillars of Islam

Belief in the oneness of Allah.
Five daily prayers facing Mecca.
Annual almsgiving to assist the less fortunate.
Fasting during Ramadan from dawn until sunset.
The pilgrimage to Mecca is mandatory for all capable Muslims at least once in their lifetime.

Major Islamic Divisions

Shiite Islam believes leadership should have stayed within Muhammad's family, while Sunni Islam holds that any wise individual can lead.

Predominant Branch of Islam

Sunni Islam is the largest branch, encompassing most Muslims worldwide.

Concentration of Shi'ites

Iran has the largest population of Shi'ite Muslims.

Origin of Buddhism

Buddhism emerged in Northern India, specifically in Nepal, and is rooted in Hinduism.

The Four Noble Truths

Life is inherently filled with suffering.
Desire and attachment cause suffering.
Suffering can end through the cessation of desire.
Overcoming desire is achieved through following the Eightfold Path.

Buddhism's Spatial Distribution

99% of Buddhists reside in Southeast and South Asia.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in religion, such as the distinctions between universal and ethnic religions, and the classification of religious branches, denominations, and sects. It's perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of world religions and their characteristics.