1. When and where did Zoroastrianism begin to flourish?
Zoroastrianism began to flourish in what is modern day Iran during the Persian Empire, dated around the fourth or fifth century B.C.
2. How did Zoroastrianism spread beyond its place of origin?
Zoroastrianism spread beyond its place of origin after conquest by the Greeks, specifically, Alexander the Great. Thus, people began to move the culture and religion of Persia.
3. Briefly describe the religious experience Zarathustra had at about age thirty.
At age thirty, Zarathustra was taken by an angel to the Wise Lord, Ahura Mazda. Zarathustra saw Ahura Mazda and acknowledged him as the one God.
4. Name the sacred text of Zoroastrianism. What is the oldest material in this text and who wrote it?
The sacred text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta, its oldest material is the Gathas that were written by Zarathustra.
5. Summarize the characteristics and actions associated with Ahura Mazda.
Ahura Mazda is the creator and determinant of destiny and control of the universe. He is goodness who opposes evil.
6. What is ethical dualism?
Ethical dualism is belief in the conflict between good and evil forces.
7. What is the Lie and how does it relate to Ahura Mazda?
Lie is the evil force that combats with Ahura Mazda, the good force.
8. What must humans choose between in the Zoroastrian cosmic scheme?
The truth and the Lie, or the beneficent spirit and the hostile spirit.
9. Summarize Zarathustra's understanding of human destiny.
Zarathustra believes in a judgement after death leading either to torment or paradise based on the life lived. He also believes in bodily resurrection for all, the good will pass and the evil with burn (however this may have been an idea later added).
10. What are the general ethical demands of traditional Zoroastrian life?
Ethical demands are focused on agriculture, raising livestock and fields. Avoid evil and follow truth. Prayer is required five times a day with rituals like fire.
11. Who are the Parsis, and where do most of them live today?
The Parsis are those who practice Zoroastrians and most of them live in India today.
12. What are commonly regarded as having been the Bible of the ancient Greeks?
The epic poems the Illiad and the Odyssey by "Homer".
13. Explain the meaning of this sentence: The gods of the Olympian pantheon are anthropomorphic.
The Olympus gods were given human attributes and acted like humans both in the obvious actions and also physical features and characteristics.
14. What was Aeschylus's main contribution to the understanding of the gods of the Olympian pantheon? Give an example.
Aeschylus contributed to the more theological understandings of the gods. For instance, he wrote about Zeus's wisdom and affiliation with justice more so than focusing on the human aspects of the gods. This gave the gods more dignity.
15. What is an oracle? What is the most famous oracle of ancient Greece, and why was it consulted?
An oracle is a sanctuary favored by a particular god who communicated to those who visited it. The most famous was the oracle at Delphi, who was favored by Apollo. Apollo was consulted for his widsom on anything from private to public issues, such as military decisions.
16. Briefly identify the three basic aspects of the mystery religions.
People chose to join and were intitiated by some ritual.
A personal encounter with the deity was experienced.
Spiritual renewel was acquired and hope for a better afterlife.
17. What mystery religion honored Demeter and Persephone?
The Eleusinian Mysteries.
18. What is the god Dionysus associated with, and how is he often depicted in Greek art?
Dionysus is associated with fertility and the vine. He is depicted in Greek art with vines and grapes.
19. Name the goal of the ascetic practices of the Orphics.
For the soul to escape the body and realize the divine, Dionysian nature.
20. What is Plato's theory of knowledge?
Plato's theory of knowledge is that knowledge is recollection; the things we know in this life come from previous lifetimes.
21. What is Platonic dualism?
Reality consists of eternal and perfect Forms, or ideas, and that the material, bodily world is an imperfect reflection of the world of Forms.
22. Why did Jesus seem to have much in common with the ancient Asclepius?
Both were called Savior and had strong healing powers and relationships with followers.
23. What were the numina, and what sorts of things were they thought to inhabit?
The numina were supernatural powers inhabiting things such as Roman homes, towns, and the countryside.
24. Who was the most powerful Roman deity?
Jupiter, the sky god.
25. Identify the six planets of our solar system that are named after Roman deities.
Mars, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury
26. Why did the Roman state consider it essential to maintain official worship practices?
It kept peace of the gods and helped the welfare of the Roman state.
27. Which mystery religions were the main rivals of Christianity in the later Roman Empire?
Mithraism and the religion celebrating Isis.
28. Briefly summarize the Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris.
Isis and Osiris were husband and wife. Osiris was killed by his brother and Isis found him in pieces and put him back together; he became god of the underworld.
29. Briefly describe the sort of emperor worship encouraged by Augustus.
Worship of his genius/guardian spirit which was like worship of Rome because of the emperor's responsibility of the welfare of the state.
30. Why did Christians and Roman rulers clash over emperor worship?
They clashed because worshipers of the emperor could not be considered Christians. The Romans thought it was suspicious the Christians wouldn't worship the emperor and thus caused conflict.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Judaism WebQuest
Holy Items
1. A synagogue serves as a place of gathering, study, and prayer that all involve meeting, communicating, and praying with others who practice the faith.
2. In a synagogue, the Ark is located on the eastern wall side and serves to house the Torah Scrolls when they aren't being used or the focal point of prayers. The Torah Scrolls are read from during worship or study. Men and women are separated in the synagogue. It appears that the Ten Commandments are located on the outside of the synagogue above or incorporated in the door frame and serve to remind people of G-d's laws given to Moses.
3. A rabbi is a Torah expert persay and guides those of the Jewish faith. He also does the basics such as weddings, funerals, and sermons on "High Holidays". A Jew becomes a rabbi by taking many tests based on the Torah and Talmud usually studied in a special school, "yeshiva" and receives ordination after passing these tests. The rabbi doesn't have to dress in special clothes like other clergymen of other faiths, he can dress like a Jew and does not have to practice abstinence (he can marry and have kids). The rabbi is like a consultant of Jewish law and can answer many questions about rules and behaviors. He also counsels those who need it and encourages all his community to strive to be better.
4. The Shabbat is a special day for Jews in which they can feast and enjoy the day and become more spiritually enriched. It occurs once every week on the seventh day.
5. The Torah is the law and teachings for Jews comprised of the Old Testament for Jews. Talmud refers to interpretation and meaning of the Torah and is called the "Oral Torah". The two Talmuds are the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmud.
6. Orthodox- follow the Torah and Talmud, believing the Torah is the orginal text (hasn't been edited)
Reform- The Torah was a work in progress (it became what it is over time); they are free as to what they believe and can change (hence "reform").
Conservative- a mixture of qualities that describe Reform or Orthodox facets such as G-d sending a Torah but humans contributing to it. Obedience but change is acceptable.
Zionist- a branch created by Theodor Herzl and a few years later became a response to the Holocaust and Jews sought a place in Palestine. More of a political branch.
Language
7. Hebrew- language of the early jews (a Semetic language) which stopped being used for communication for ahwile but continued as a language read for rituals and tradition like Latin. Many people speak Hebrew today.
8. Yiddish- language of Ashkenazic Jews (a Germanic Language). Yiddish means "Jewish" and is spoke by majority ordinary people (as opposed to the extraordinary scholars).
9. Mazal Tov- Congratulations!
Shalom- Hello! Peace! Goodbye
Mitzvah- Precept/Commandment
10. Brit Milah (Bris)- circumcision! on the eighth day after birth, a boy is circumcised to illustrate the covenant
Bar/Bat Mitzvah- "age of responsibility for the commandments" at thirteen a boy's initiation into the faith as an adult, at age twelve for girls. They recite from the Torah.
Jewish Marriage- with the help of a shadchan (matchmaker), Jews get married after many traditions leading up. (not to be married on Shabbat or holidays b/c they don't mix special ocassions)
11. Rosh Hoshanah-"head of the year"-celebration of the new year (a no work day!)
Yom Kippur- "day of atonement"-most important holiday in order to "atone" all the sins and repent for sins against God (no work again! but no eating or drinking either)
Hanukah- a sort of Jewish Christmas celebrating eigth days and candle lighting
Passover- celebration of the passing over of the Jews in Egypt celebrated on teh 15th day of the month of Nissan.
12. I knew a primary language of scripture was Hebrew
13. I like the dynamic of Judaism and how helpful and cool a rabbi seems for Jews (I thought it interesting that he dresses like any other Jew to show he is equal)
14. A similar tradition is probably the shabbat as it is correlated with the Sabbath as a day of rest and joy.
15. Something different is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah because although I have Confirmation, I don't have anything like the Mitzvah.
1. A synagogue serves as a place of gathering, study, and prayer that all involve meeting, communicating, and praying with others who practice the faith.
2. In a synagogue, the Ark is located on the eastern wall side and serves to house the Torah Scrolls when they aren't being used or the focal point of prayers. The Torah Scrolls are read from during worship or study. Men and women are separated in the synagogue. It appears that the Ten Commandments are located on the outside of the synagogue above or incorporated in the door frame and serve to remind people of G-d's laws given to Moses.
3. A rabbi is a Torah expert persay and guides those of the Jewish faith. He also does the basics such as weddings, funerals, and sermons on "High Holidays". A Jew becomes a rabbi by taking many tests based on the Torah and Talmud usually studied in a special school, "yeshiva" and receives ordination after passing these tests. The rabbi doesn't have to dress in special clothes like other clergymen of other faiths, he can dress like a Jew and does not have to practice abstinence (he can marry and have kids). The rabbi is like a consultant of Jewish law and can answer many questions about rules and behaviors. He also counsels those who need it and encourages all his community to strive to be better.
4. The Shabbat is a special day for Jews in which they can feast and enjoy the day and become more spiritually enriched. It occurs once every week on the seventh day.
5. The Torah is the law and teachings for Jews comprised of the Old Testament for Jews. Talmud refers to interpretation and meaning of the Torah and is called the "Oral Torah". The two Talmuds are the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmud.
6. Orthodox- follow the Torah and Talmud, believing the Torah is the orginal text (hasn't been edited)
Reform- The Torah was a work in progress (it became what it is over time); they are free as to what they believe and can change (hence "reform").
Conservative- a mixture of qualities that describe Reform or Orthodox facets such as G-d sending a Torah but humans contributing to it. Obedience but change is acceptable.
Zionist- a branch created by Theodor Herzl and a few years later became a response to the Holocaust and Jews sought a place in Palestine. More of a political branch.
Language
7. Hebrew- language of the early jews (a Semetic language) which stopped being used for communication for ahwile but continued as a language read for rituals and tradition like Latin. Many people speak Hebrew today.
8. Yiddish- language of Ashkenazic Jews (a Germanic Language). Yiddish means "Jewish" and is spoke by majority ordinary people (as opposed to the extraordinary scholars).
9. Mazal Tov- Congratulations!
Shalom- Hello! Peace! Goodbye
Mitzvah- Precept/Commandment
10. Brit Milah (Bris)- circumcision! on the eighth day after birth, a boy is circumcised to illustrate the covenant
Bar/Bat Mitzvah- "age of responsibility for the commandments" at thirteen a boy's initiation into the faith as an adult, at age twelve for girls. They recite from the Torah.
Jewish Marriage- with the help of a shadchan (matchmaker), Jews get married after many traditions leading up. (not to be married on Shabbat or holidays b/c they don't mix special ocassions)
11. Rosh Hoshanah-"head of the year"-celebration of the new year (a no work day!)
Yom Kippur- "day of atonement"-most important holiday in order to "atone" all the sins and repent for sins against God (no work again! but no eating or drinking either)
Hanukah- a sort of Jewish Christmas celebrating eigth days and candle lighting
Passover- celebration of the passing over of the Jews in Egypt celebrated on teh 15th day of the month of Nissan.
12. I knew a primary language of scripture was Hebrew
13. I like the dynamic of Judaism and how helpful and cool a rabbi seems for Jews (I thought it interesting that he dresses like any other Jew to show he is equal)
14. A similar tradition is probably the shabbat as it is correlated with the Sabbath as a day of rest and joy.
15. Something different is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah because although I have Confirmation, I don't have anything like the Mitzvah.
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