Key Figures, Concepts, and History of Major Religions
Key Figures and Concepts in Major Religions
1.4 Important Figures: Muhammad (Islam), Buddha (Buddhism), John the Baptist (Christianity), Abraham (Judaism).
2. Meaning of Buddha and Concerns: The literal meaning and the mysteries of old age, sickness, and death that caused his concerns.
3. Origin of Abraham: From Ur of the Chaldeans, sent to Canaan in the 19th century at 75 years old.
4. Relationship Between John the Baptist and Jesus: Jesus’ mother Mary and John’s mother Isabel were cousins, making Jesus and John cousins.
5. Classification of Major Religions: Two groups: Eastern religions (mystical and humanist, seeking wisdom and spirituality through energy and meditation) and monotheistic religions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism).
6. Hindu Gods: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer).
7. What is Atman and its Journey: A mysterious force that is the deepest part of each being, which reincarnates and seeks union with Brahman.
8. What is Nirvana: The annihilation of the personal self and the supreme identification with the universe, achieved through virtue, charity, and humility.
9. Hindu Castes: Brahmins, nobles/warriors, merchants, artisans, servants.
10. Three Paths to Liberation in Hinduism: The path of knowledge, the path of action, and the path of devotion.
11. Four Noble Truths of Buddha: The truth of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to the cessation of suffering.
12. Buddha’s Reform of Hinduism: Buddha, born into the warrior caste, after a religious experience, dedicated himself to teaching the path to liberation, giving rise to Buddhism.
13. Buddhism as a Philosophy: Buddhism is a philosophy focused on finding inner peace and eliminating suffering.
14. Books of the Torah: Prophets and scribes (historical and poetic books) and the Talmud.
15. Who was Moses: Sent by God to save the Jewish people, leading them through the desert to Sinai.
16. Important Kings of Israel: Saul, David, and Solomon.
17. Four Empires that Invaded Canaan: Persians, Greeks, Maccabees, Romans.
18. What is the Diaspora: The dispersion of the Jewish people after being expelled from Jerusalem.
19. Dual Sentiment of the Jewish Community: Waiting for the Messiah and the connection to their history and religion.
20. Four Characteristics of Jesus: Son of God, conceived by the Virgin Mary, taught love, prayer, and spiritual truth.
21. Accusations Against Jesus by Jewish Authorities: Going against God and the laws of the Jews.
22. Differences Between Resurrection and Reincarnation: Resurrection is the rising of Jesus to redeem us, while reincarnation is being reborn to correct past errors.
Important Figures 1.4. Muhammad: Islam, Buddha: Buddhism, John the Baptist, Christianity, Abraham: Judaism. 2. Meaning of Buddha and Concerns. The literal meaning and the mysteries of old age, sickness, and death that caused his concerns. 3. Origin of Abraham. From Ur of the Chaldeans, sent to Canaan in the 19th century at 75 years old. 4. Relationship Between John the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus’ mother Mary and John’s mother Isabel were cousins, making Jesus and John cousins. 5. Classification of Major Religions. Two groups: Eastern religions (mystical and humanist, seeking wisdom and spirituality through energy and meditation) and monotheistic religions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism). 6. Hindu Gods. Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer). 7. What is Atman and its Journey. A mysterious force that is the deepest part of each being, which reincarnates and seeks union with Brahman. 8. What is Nirvana. The annihilation of the personal self and the supreme identification with the universe, achieved through virtue, charity, and humility. 9. Hindu Castes. Brahmins, nobles/warriors, merchants, artisans, servants. 10. Three Paths to Liberation in Hinduism. The path of knowledge, the path of action, and the path of devotion. 11. Four Noble Truths of Buddha. The truth of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to the cessation of suffering. 12. Buddha’s Reform of Hinduism. Buddha, born into the warrior caste, after a religious experience, dedicated himself to teaching the path to liberation, giving rise to Buddhism. 13. Buddhism as a Philosophy. Buddhism is a philosophy focused on finding inner peace and eliminating suffering. 14. Books of the Torah. Prophets and scribes (historical and poetic books) and the Talmud. 15. Who was Moses. Sent by God to save the Jewish people, leading them through the desert to Sinai. 16. Important Kings of Israel. Saul, David, and Solomon. 17. Four Empires that Invaded Canaan. Persians, Greeks, Maccabees, Romans. 18. What is the Diaspora. The dispersion of the Jewish people after being expelled from Jerusalem. 19. Dual Sentiment of the Jewish Community. Waiting for the Messiah and the connection to their history and religion. 20. Four Characteristics of Jesus. Son of God, conceived by the Virgin Mary, taught love, prayer, and spiritual truth. 21. Accusations Against Jesus by Jewish Authorities. Going against God and the laws of the Jews. 22. Differences Between Resurrection and Reincarnation. Resurrection is the rising of Jesus to redeem us, while reincarnation is being reborn to correct past errors.
24. Which are the Gospels and who wrote them?
Mark, Luke, and John. Matthew wrote to show what Jesus did in his life, his miracles, etc. 25. Five Letters of Saint Paul: Corinthians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Philippians, Ephesians. 26. What are Miracles? Name two of Jesus’s miracles: Miracles are the manifestation of God’s power through action. The resurrection of Lazarus and turning water into wine. 27. What is God’s Kingdom? The promise of God to those who believe in his son Jesus Christ, that they will have eternal and abundant life. 28. Basic Principles of Muhammad’s Teachings after the Appearance of the Angel Gabriel: Profession of faith, prayer, fasting, alms, pilgrimage. 29. Five Fundamental Precepts of Islam: Same as question 27. 30. The Quran and its Meaning: The meaning of the Quran is “the recitation”. It contains praises to Allah, warnings about doomsday, descriptions of hell and paradise, moral precepts, and allusions to biblical figures like Adam, Mary, and Jesus. 31. Three Dates in Muhammad’s Life: Born in Mecca in 570 AD, religious crisis in 620 AD, Hijra in 622 AD, conquest of Mecca in 630 AD. 32. What is Secularization: A process where religion is separated from politics, decreasing the influence of religion on people. 33. What is Relativism: The idea that all actions are relative depending on the focus, which can lead to a life without foundations. 34. Three Fundamental Principles of the Constitution on Religion: Ensuring ideological and religious freedom, no obligation to a specific religion, and cooperation with religious beliefs in society. 35. What is Secularism: The doctrine that defends the freedom of individuals in society, where no religion dominates. 36. What is Secularism: The independence of individuals and their religious freedom. 37. What are Religions and their Role in Society: Religions are the basis of our society, helping people find inner peace and avoid selfishness and relativism. 38. List the Causes of Atheism: The inability to verify God’s existence, materialism, the false image of God, and the existence of suffering. 39. Three Postulates about the New God: No original sin, salvation comes from our own efforts, and self-realization is necessary. 40. Sacraments: Baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, penance, extreme unction. 23. Meaning of Jesus’s Death on the Cross: His death and resurrection saved us from original sin and gave us the opportunity to enjoy eternal life.