DSST Introduction to World Religions Practice Exam

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• Sufism emphasizes the experiential oneness with which deity name in Islam?
• Which religion is the largest in the world?
• The basic teachings of Islam are set down in which framework?
• Why is the Ganges River sacred to Hindus?
• What month of fasting from sunup to sundown is observed in Islam?
• What is an accurate description of Martin Luther's teachings?
• The Lotus Sutra is the holy scripture of which tradition?
• Which Buddhist tradition emphasizes Bodhisattvas and universal salvation?
• Which council was called by the Catholic Church to reassert doctrine after the Protestant Reformation?
• The Eightfold Path includes which of the following?
• The faithful of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism rely on which of the following to enter the Land of Bliss?
• The Wahhabi movement took control of the area that became which nation?
• The Lotus Sutra is the holy scripture of Nichiren Buddhism. It is primarily associated with which tradition?
• Which meat is forbidden in Islam?
• Guru Nanak is the founder of which religion?
• The Hare Krishna movement is a devotional current within which tradition?
• Which branch of Christianity is particularly known for the elevating use of icons in worship spaces?
• Nirvana is a concept associated with which tradition, as seen in the context of bodhisattvas?
• During the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which religion was adopted as the state religion of Japan?
• Which figure is the only prophet in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to whom God spoke directly?
• Which statement best describes Sikh worship?
• In Buddhism, what is identified as the cause of suffering?
• The Prophetic Movement brought God's word to which group?
• Seeking converts is not an important element of Judaism.
• Buddhism declined in India until it
• The Shi'a sect of Islam emphasizes
• Which description best captures Taoism's view of government?
• The modern evangelical movement in the United States has been successful primarily because it
• What is the primary purpose of bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah in Judaism?
• An aspect of Buddhism that is less popular in the Western world is
• In Hindu philosophy Vedanta, what is considered the ultimate reality?
• Which pair of texts are traditionally considered the two most important works of Taoism?
• Which Buddhist sect is credited with promoting nationalist sentiment in Japan?
• Which religions hold similar general beliefs about heaven and hell?
• What happened to the ten lost tribes of Israel?
• The ruler credited with spreading Buddhism beyond India is which figure?
• The Sufi movement was a reaction against
• The menorah is a symbol used for which Jewish holy day?
• Which description best captures Taoist views on governance?
• Besides Muhammad, which figure is considered a prophet in Islam?
• Which religions justify capital punishment for major offenses?
• During centuries of conquest, Muslim rulers generally took which approach toward religious practice?
• What is a common theme of the world's religions?
• In Hinduism, which stage corresponds to renunciation or withdrawal from ordinary life?
• In religious terms, dualism is best described as
• Why did Chinese rulers tolerate and encourage Confucianism for 2,500 years?
• The Council of Trent was convened during which broader movement?
• What is the central element emphasized in Confucianism?
• Which statement about the Talmud is false?
• In Jewish tradition, the covenant that initiates Judaism is made with which patriarch?
• The Jews' view of themselves as Yahweh's chosen people resulted from which covenant?
• Which characteristic distinguished the God of the Hebrews from the gods of their neighbors?
• Which two religions affirm that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, and one and undivided?
• The four stages in Hinduism are
• Ancestor veneration is not part of which religion?
• Which occupation would a Dalit have in India?
• In Islam, which figure is recognized as a prophet?
• The ruler-subject relationship emphasized in Confucianism is said to mirror which biblical commandment?
• The Hindu New Year is
• The Confucian concept jen is best expressed as which quality?
• Which statement about the Bodhisattva ideal is correct?
• The festival Purim is celebrated to remember the rescue of Jews from a plot devised by which villain?
• In Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi is most closely associated with which concept?
• The Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal in the 15th century were known as what?
• Which belief is a central Catholic doctrine not shared by most Protestant denominations?
• The clover leaf is a good way to illustrate the mystery of
• Which ethical and philosophical tradition emphasizes filial piety and social harmony?
• In Pure Land Buddhism, entry to the Land of Bliss is achieved by which practice?
• Which divisions of Judaism follow the teachings of a rebbe?
• Voodoo is best described as an example of which broad concept?
• Which of the following would NOT be considered a prophet in Islam?
• The father of the gods in the Greek pantheon was
• In Theravada Buddhism, what is the goal for a practitioner?
• What is the role of myths in religion?
• Which of the following best describes Confucianism's focus?
• The concept of rebirth and karma is most closely associated with which religion?
• Which belief is shared by Islam, Judaism, and Christianity?
• The position of caliph evolved so that caliphs
• In the thinking of many Buddhist sects, to love any person or any thing is which of the following?
• Wahhabism is described as which within Islam?
• Transubstantiation is associated with which Christian tradition?
• The Zionist movement is described as pursuing a dream since which historical event?
• What is the role of a bodhisattva?
• The Great Vehicle is another name for which Buddhist tradition?
• Which changes in Arab society resulted from Muhammad's teachings?
• The Nicene Creed ended the Arian division within the early Christian Church by reaffirming
• Divali is associated with which religious tradition?
• The Second Truth states what causes suffering?
• Sufism is characterized by experiencing a feeling of oneness with which divine being?
• Buddhism's middle path is best explained as a way of life that...
• John Calvin is best associated with which Protestant group?
• The term kosher refers to
• Sephardim are Jews historically associated with expulsion from which region?
• Which religious tradition practices canonization that requires miracles?
• Which statement is true about belief in God across Christianity, Islam, and Judaism?
• Which of the following is not included in Traditional African religions?
• In founding the Nation of Islam, Wallace Fard focused on what concerns?
• What is found in an ark in a synagogue?
• In Judaism, shivah refers to which practice?
• Among Buddhist practices, which is most associated with aging monastic life?
• Which belief systems are neither monotheistic nor polytheistic?
• Which is not a characteristic of Calvinism?
• What is a true statement about Sikhism?
• Who was most responsible for spreading Buddhism outside India?
• In the Confucian set of relationships, which role is given special importance?
• The Baha'i movement believes that?
• What contribution did Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon) make to Jewish thought?
• In Hinduism, ahimsa is best described as a commitment to which principle?
• In the early period, followers of Jesus still identified as which group?
• What place is not considered a theocracy?
• Which statement describes the common belief about the afterlife shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?
• In Taoism, the source of all things is described as what?
• Hinduism differs from Buddhism in Hinduism's acceptance of
• The Tang Dynasty persecution of Buddhists in China is best explained by officials' concerns about loyalty to the government.
• Which faith regards the Mass as central worship?
• What is the most sacred site to Muslims?
• Living a life according to dharma will result in
• The Torah is most accurately described as consisting of what?
• Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses to protest the
• Theravada Buddhism does not emphasize which aspect?
• In Hindu belief, the multiplicity of gods is understood as representations of which ultimate reality?
• The split into Sunni and Shi'a in Islam originated from a disagreement over leadership; which group supported Ali as successor?
• Jihad refers to
• Why is Confucianism sometimes described as philosophy rather than religion?
• Which religion emphasizes rebirth and karma as central to liberation?
• Meditation is not an important part of the practice of
• What is the predominant cultural or religious tradition in India?
• According to one sect of Zen Buddhism, enlightenment comes through what?
• Monastic life is not a feature of Islam?
• Twelver beliefs describe the return of the last imam. This concept is associated with which major religion?
• Twelvers believe that the last imam will return and with him, Judgment Day. Which option describes this belief?
• Jewish mysticism is traditionally known as which term?
• The Mahdi is the Islamic equivalent of which?
• The original teachings of Confucius do not include references to which concept?
• What is the release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth called?
• To say the Shahadah is to?
• The defining characteristics of the Quakers include humanitarianism and inner peace. Which is also a defining trait?
• In Confucianism, Jen is defined as the quality of what?
• Who is the most traditionally observant Jew?
• The goal of the Four Noble Truths is to
• In Taoism, the origin of all things is described as which?
• Which tradition includes the Eight-Fold Path as a central ethical framework?
• Who posted the 95 Theses in 1517 to protest indulgences?
• Theravada Buddhism does not emphasize which of the following?
• The Upanishads are important to Hindus because they set out a number of principles that are central to Hinduism.
• The hadith are what?
• What does Confucian ethics emphasize as the path to perfection?
• Which religion is often described as both a culture and a faith?
• Which statement is not a major doctrinal difference between Roman Catholicism and mainstream Protestant denominations?
• Prostration during Muslim prayer is performed primarily to demonstrate what?
• In an orthodox synagogue, what seating arrangement is typical?
• Ahura Mazda is the central deity in which religion?
• What historical development led to religions based on natural elements like fertility, seasons, and rainfall?
• Which deity is revered in Shinto?
• The first Christians believed that salvation came as a gift from God.
• A fetish does not include which element?
• What statement is true about the Indian caste system?
• Which statement about Confucius’s teachings is accurate?
• Why is Confucius often considered similar to Gautama Buddha?
• The Mishnah is which type of text?
• The Kabbalah is similar to the tantras of Tibetan Buddhism. The tantras it resembles come from which tradition?
• The First Pillar of Islam is defined as what?
• The term Pentateuch refers to which portion of the Hebrew Bible?
• For Catholics, the central act of worship is what?
• What statement best describes someone who follows Taoism?
• Which description best captures the Ark of the Covenant?
• Ahura Mazda is the one and only true God of which religion?
• In Taoism, yin and yang represent
• Which two components make up the Talmud?
• Which practices of Roman Catholicism was rejected by Protestants during the Reformation?
• The destruction of the Second Temple occurred in which year?
• Maimonides and Thomas Aquinas attempted to reconcile Aristotle's work with their religions by
• Chuang Tzu is associated with which philosophical tradition?
• Which man taught that humans are innately evil and must be closely controlled?
• The original teachings of Confucius do not include references to a supreme being.
• Which tradition uses the Book of Common Prayer as its official liturgy?
• African religions are unlike Hinduism in which of the following ways?
• Which statement expresses aspects of Buddhism's Four Noble Truths?
• The only religion that requires miracles in order for a person to be named a saint is
• Which tradition is most closely associated with the Four Noble Truths?
• Shari'a, as a system of law, is most closely associated with which religion?
• Purim is celebrated by which community?
• Which term describes the Jewish tradition that emphasizes mystical interpretation of the scriptures?
• The supremacy of the pope as head of the Roman Catholic Church has which characteristic?
• Satori in Zen Buddhism is best described as which experience?
• In Confucian ethics, which concept is central to social order and ritual?
• The term diaspora denotes the movement of Jews to areas outside which region?
• Which of the following is not a teaching of Islam?
• In Taoism, yin is
• Purim commemorates the rescue of the Jews by which figure?
• Marriage is an example of which basic characteristic of religion?
• Judaism and Islam have all of the following characteristics in common except which of the following?
• Monastic life is not a feature of which major world religion?
• Which concept is presented as less central in Judaism when compared with Christianity and Islam?
• Ezra's contribution to Judaism was
• Which religion is defined by the Five Pillars as its core beliefs?
• Which medieval philosopher attempted to reconcile Aristotelian logic with the existence of God?
• What does the Christian Science movement believe about healing?
• What text is typically stored in the ark within a synagogue?
• According to Christian theology, Jesus was killed to
• Which statement describes the Hasidic movement?
• Sharia deals with which areas?
• In which deity do both good and evil co-exist?
• Shivah is a mourning period associated with which religion?
• Filial piety is a term associated with which tradition?
• Which city is not one of Islam's holy cities?
• Taoism and Buddhism are similar in that both teach that
• What is taboo for Jews?
• The Jewish Day of Atonement is known as which holiday?
• When did the Jewish Diaspora begin?
• Who united the Israelites into a single nation?
• The goal of liberation theology is to
• A major difference between Buddhism and Hinduism is Buddhism's rejection of which concept?
• Which religion uses the Vedas as sacred scripture?
• Which practice emphasizes living simply as a way to align with the Tao?
• Gnosticism's influence on Christianity can be seen in Christianity's
• The Messiah according to Judaism will not bring which of the following?
• Which religion uses the clover leaf as a symbol to illustrate a central doctrine?
• Eastern Orthodox churches ornament themselves with which of the following in place of statues?
• A rite of passage in Judaism is circumcision.
• What was the main reason for the centuries-long mutual hatred between Christians and Muslims?
• Which religions would be considered Abrahamic?
• Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from Persia in which book?
• Jerusalem is a holy city to which religious groups?
• Umma is the Islamic concept of
• Which belief is central to Calvinism?
• A person who is not sure whether there is a supreme being is called
• Mahayana Buddhists believe that Gautama Buddha was all of the following except which statement?
• The Bhagavad Gita is important to
• The Hasidic movement is most closely associated with which tradition?
• Confession of one's sins to a priest or minister is part of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox rites, and which other tradition?
• In an effort to become less isolated from their non-Jewish communities, Reform Jews in the 19th century
• Confucius believed that inferiors owed which of the following to their superiors?
• Why do mosques avoid representations of Allah or living beings?
• Huguenots were French Protestants who followed the teachings of which theologian?
• A definition of religion would include what?
• The Hasidic movement was founded by?
• Which pair of religions is traditionally understood as monotheistic with an all-powerful, all-knowing, indivisible God?
• Which concept continues to underpin caste distinctions in Hindu society?
• Voodoo is best described as an example of which broad concept?
• An agnostic is a person who
• Which description best characterizes the Ark of the Covenant?
• What is not a basic principle of Buddhism?
• What term describes Confucius's emphasis on respect for parents?
• Which value is central to Confucian ethics as described in the material?
• One reason early Christians began to separate from Judaism was
• What was a central element of Confucianism as Confucius taught it?
• In the Roman Catholic Church, Epiphany broadly commemorates which event?
• Mennonites do not believe what?
• Which religion is described as being both a cultural designation and a religious tradition?
• Which two medieval scholars are noted for reconciling Aristotle with faiths?
• Which tradition offers a spiritual approach to life, contrasting with Confucian emphasis on social order?
• The Confucian concept of 'li' is best described as
• Hindus view 'dharma' as a duty, or moral code of action, whereas to Buddhists 'dharma' is
• Which of the following is a key component of the Noble Eightfold Path?
• The Vedanta system of Hinduism is based on which texts?
• Which of the following are purposes of Ramadan?
• What primary factor has motivated the growth of Islamic fundamentalism?
• The dogma of papal infallibility refers to
• Which thinker argued against innate goodness, claiming people are innately evil?
• Most Protestant denominations do not build their services around which practice?
• In Confucian thought, which relationship is emphasized for social harmony?
• In Pure Land Buddhism, salvation is based on which factor?
• Which tradition is described as not including worship of spirits or divine beings, leading some to call it a philosophy?
• In which denomination may a woman be ordained as either a priest or minister?
• Harmony is the dominant theme of which tradition?
• Which Catholic sacrament is intended to confer grace upon gravely ill individuals?
• The Law of Manu is a foundational text associated with which tradition?
• Which Christian creed is particularly noted for its articulation of the Trinity?
• Monasticism is not found in which religion?
• Which religion regards Nirvana as the ultimate goal of liberation?
• Monism is an aspect of which religious tradition?
• Which pillar in Islam is associated with almsgiving?
• How do Mahayana Buddhists and Theravada Buddhists view Gautama?
• Which philosopher reinforced Confucian teaching that people are innately good?
• Wahhabism is best described as which of the following?
• Vedanta belongs to which major world religion?
• Which statement best describes Islam and Judaism according to the material?
• What is the ultimate goal of Christians?
• In Hinduism, dharma is best described as
• In Islam, which term refers to the reports of Muhammad's sayings and actions?
• Which festival celebrates Krishna?
• What event led to the split between Sunni and Shi'a Islam?
• A major reason for Guru Nanak's founding of Sikhism was his rejection of what?
• The Good News of which Jesus spoke was
• Who wrote the City of God and greatly influenced the early development of Christian theology?
• What was not a teaching of Muhammad?
• Which religion is an example of the animistic theory of religion?
• Which belief is shared across Christianity, Islam, and Judaism?
• Which religious group is described as holding that scripture alone is the authority for faith?
• What is the foundation of Judaism?
• Roman Catholics rely on which sources of truth?
• Which concept marks a major difference between Buddhism and Hinduism?
• Which system of Hindu philosophy holds that only Brahman is real?
• The clover leaf is used to illustrate which Christian doctrine?
• Which historical development contributed to the emergence of religions tied to natural phenomena?
• Buddhism's decline in India led to what outcome?
• The Dalit caste is historically associated with which type of work?
• Fundamentalist movements usually develop because of which motivation?
• What is the most accurate definition of religion?
• The Mishnah is a foundational text of which tradition?
• Which church tradition practices infant baptism to remove original sin?
• The beginning of the caste system in Indian society is found in which text?
• In Judaism, the central concept describing the relationship between God and the people is called what?
• During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, what was the major issue between popes and secular rulers?
• A difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism is
• In Jewish scholarly tradition, the Talmud is best described as a compilation of which writings?
• According to the Jewish Bible, Judaism began with Yahweh's promise to
• The Eastern Orthodox rites differ from Roman Catholicism in their lack of hierarchical structure.
• The Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed do not have what in common?
• What is a major difference between Episcopalians and Lutherans?
• Why does the Roman Catholic Church practice infant baptism?
• The Eightfold Path is a central teaching of which religion?
• The Hasidic movement arose from the teachings of
• In Hinduism, Yoga is primarily a way to connect with which reality?
• Which description best matches Hasidic Judaism?
• Mariology refers to devotion to the Virgin Mary in which religious tradition?
• The Church of England was a compromise resulting in Protestant doctrine but Catholic ritual. This describes a blend of which traditions?
• Ecumenism is the movement aimed at what?
• Unlike most religions, Hinduism has no founder.
• Almsgiving is one of the
• What is the aim of Buddhist practice described by the Four Noble Truths?
• Sikhism was founded as a reaction against which religions?
• Why do Muslims pray prostrate on the ground?
• What is a major difference between Native American religions and Christianity?
• Praying the glorious mysteries of the rosary is an act of devotion in which Christian tradition?
• Which of the following is not a practice in Eastern Orthodox rites?
• The ecumenical movement has resulted in changes within which religious tradition?
• Which text is not primarily associated with Taoism?
• In Zen Buddhism, satori refers to
• What statement is true about Hinduism?
• In Hinduism, ahimsa is the principle of what?
• The cult of Isis and Osiris was a religious practice of which ancient civilization?
• In Theravada Buddhism, which factor is of little importance in achieving nirvana?
• The concept of Jews as Yahweh's chosen people originates from which patriarch's covenant?
• Which of the following was NOT a result of the Council of Trent?
• What is not true about voodoo?
• Which of the following is not among the defining features of the Quakers?
• Muslims and Christians both believe in a final Judgment Day.
• Which statement about Taoist beliefs does not accurately describe Taoism?
• What is the purpose of the sweat-lodge ceremony?
• Which two Buddhist traditions agree that Gautama Buddha is one among many Buddhas?
• Which branch of Judaism is most closely associated with restricting women from serving as cantors or rabbis?
• The purpose of the Catholic sacrament of Anointing the Sick is to
• The concept of a pure land attained through faith is associated with which religion?
• Which statement best explains Taoist teachings?
• Islam and Judaism share belief in which afterlife concepts?
• An important force for Christian unity in the twentieth century was which of the following?
• The philosopher associated with the view that human nature is inherently selfish and requires social control is
• In which branch of Judaism are women traditionally barred from becoming cantors and rabbis?
• In the modern Hindu caste system, what remains the basis for caste distinctions?
• Some people think that Zionism is the same as Judaism
• In Greek mythology, the god Zeus is best described as
• Which statement about the Qur'an's content is accurate?
• Judaism varies from Christianity and Islam in its lack of emphasis on
• Hinduism can be characterized as a religion that has no set list of beliefs that followers must accept.
• Calling Hinduism polytheistic simplifies the religion because
• Which location, according to the material, is not considered a theocracy?
• The Vedanta school of Hinduism is based on which texts?
• The Diaspora is the term given to the movement of Jews to areas outside Palestine beginning in the eighth century BCE.
• Which of the following is not a common category of prayer across major religions?
• Which religion emphasizes the Five Pillars as core practices?
• Shamans serve as
• The development of Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism from Hinduism was primarily due to disagreements about which aspect?
• The doctrine of original sin is best described as
• Which statement best describes Hindu yoga?
• Why did King Henry VIII break with the Catholic Church?
• The Upanishads are associated with which tradition's philosophical outlook?
• Which statement about the Qur'an is not true?
• In Hinduism, what is the fourth stage of life listed in the traditional four stages?
• What accurately describes the Qur'an?
• The Kabbalah is similar to the tantras of Tibetan Buddhism. The tantras it resembles come from which tradition?
• Missionary work was never important to which religion?
• Which statement is true about Pentecostal churches?
• A major stumbling block to reconciliation with Protestant groups is the Roman Catholic Church's
• Which of the following is true about the three ecumenical creeds in Protestant contexts?
• The best description of an arahat in Theravada Buddhism is one who has?
• The 'ten lost tribes' concept refers to tribes that disappeared after which historical event?
• Which religious tradition is most closely associated with the goal of nirvana?
• Which statement is true about Roman Catholicism according to the material?
• Confucianism is sometimes criticized as not a religion primarily because it does not include what element?
• Charitable giving is important to Muslims because it ...
• Muslims believe that almsgiving is
• A major difference between Tibetan Buddhism and other Buddhist sects is Tibetan Buddhism's
• Which religion is characterized by tolerance of a wide variety of beliefs and lacks a single required creed?
• Circumcision is a rite of passage in which religions?
• Which branch of Judaism relies most heavily on Jewish law, ritual, and tradition in daily life?
• Ancestor worship was an important part of which religious tradition?
• The Qur'an contains which of the following?
• Purim is tied to the celebration described in which biblical book?
• The term 'ex cathedra' is associated with which Catholic doctrine?
• The Five Pillars are the basic belief system of Islam.
• The father of the gods in Greek mythology is known as which deity?
• The basis for the split in Islam into Sunni and Shi'a was
• Which principle of the Eight-Fold Path would a Buddhist who is proud fail to practice?
• In Judaism, Yahweh is best described as which of the following?
• Which religious movement within Islam seeks inner spirituality and devotion?
• According to the doctrine of transubstantiation in the Roman Catholic Church, what is believed about the bread and wine?
• The Hare Krishna movement developed from which tradition?
• What is not an element of indigenous religious practices?
• What is the most important holy day in the Christian calendar?
• Mawlid al-Nabi celebrates which event?
• Kami is the name of the spirits of people, places, and nature in which religion?
• Which is not a concern of Taoism?
• Christian fundamentalism began in the late 19th century in response to the works of scientists and philosophers like Darwin and Marx. When did it begin?
• Chuang Tzu's guidance to connect with the Tao emphasizes which practice?
• Which practice is commonly associated with Pentecostal beliefs?
• In Taoist thought, the proper relationship of humans to nature is that humans are part of an integrated whole.
• Islam is similar to Judaism in that
• The Protestant Reformation began with which figure?
• The Law of Manu is most closely connected to the codification of what aspect in Indian society?
• Which Jewish movement is known for following a rebbe and has mystical traditions?
• Predicting the future through divination is an element of which tradition?
• Which religion believes in Purgatory?
• According to Confucianism, what is the most important virtue a ruler can possess?
• In Theravada Buddhism, ritual sacrifice is described as what in relation to achieving nirvana?
• What statement best describes the early development of Christianity?
• The Talmud is...
• Which statement best captures the Hindu understanding of yoga?
• The Nicene Creed is associated with which historic church council?
• The Prophetic Movement in Judaism emphasizes
• As Islam spread, it made many converts primarily because ordinary people could easily understand and practice Islam.
• The Hindu concept of release from samsara is known as what?
• A major cause of the schism between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches was the
• Which tradition is associated with Four Affirmations including reverence toward family and tradition?
• Which pair represents a major Christian theologian and a major Jewish philosopher who influenced their respective traditions, as described in the material?
• What is not a shared characteristic of mainstream Protestant denominations?
• Which Christian denomination believes in purgatory?
• Which term best describes a Buddhist figure who seeks to help others achieve enlightenment?
• Satan explains the presence of evil in which religions?
• Which statement best captures the Good News Jesus spoke about?
• Which social system is a hallmark of classical Hindu society?
• Monasticism in the West during the Middle Ages is credited with