Faith is Simple Trivia Quiz

Answer: Coming of age

Coming of age rituals are found in most religions and societies. Usually boys and girls are separate, and the ritual involves a test or demonstration to the community that the transitioning child has learned the group's religious and social history, and mastered some set of previously "secret" skills, obligations and rights, passed down from adults.

Answer: Middle East

All three of the major monotheistic religions--Judaism, Islam and Christianity--came out of the Middle East. The oldest of the three is Judaism, then Christianity, followed by Islam. All three religions have branches and variations within themselves, believe in an ultimate authority who is the one true God, and have millions of followers. Muslim devotees of Islam seek to be respectful to all, but especially to these other "peoples of the book" with whom they share much.

Answer: The Quran

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over some years, beginning in 610ce. Muslims believe that earlier prophets, such as Moses and Jesus, are precursors of Muhammad, though Muhammad is special because he was chosen to receive the Quran from the archangel Gabriel. God is called Allah--"the one who is God". The word Islam comes from "slm", an Arabic word meaning peace through submission to God.

In Judaism teachings are laid down in the Torah, revealed to Moses by God. For Christians, the word of God is the Bible, and Jesus is Lord, son of God. His Word is detailed in the New Testament of the Bible.

Answer: Hinduism

Hinduism may have originated more than 3,000 years ago, and its faith has many founders and complexities. While there are thousands of deities, all of them are said to be aspects of one supreme being. Hindus believe that life is a continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

A life lived well is rewarded with a positive rebirth, or reincarnation, in the next life, while a life of sin and selfishness leads to reincarnation as a lower being. Mahatma Gandhi was a revered practicing Hindu.

Answer: Magi

The Magi were learned royal priests of the dynasty of Cyrus, a Zoroastrian empire in the sixth century. Magi traveled with the emperors on diplomatic and military campaigns, and were excellent ambassadors for the faith.

The religion was founded in Persia by the prophet Zarathustra, perhaps around 1200BCE. He saw visions in which a new religious message was revealed to him: there is only one God, the Wise Lord, creator of all things. This God was called Ahura Mazda. He would be followed by three saviors, culminating in a massive battle in which evil is overcome, and then the Last Judgment. The sacred text of Zoroastrianism, the Avesta, was created later, around 224BC.

Answer: Confucianism

Confucianism is the third of the San-chiao in Chinese religion. Confucius (Kong Fuzi) was a man of low occupation, born in 552 BCE. At the time it was believed only the upper classes were capable of goodness, but Kong Fuzi taught that his ideas were from Heaven, and that love, respect, education and good works could belong to the lower classes as well.

As individuals and families achieve harmony and virtue, so does the greater society. He believed in upholding tradition, and respect for elders. After his death his pupils spread his beliefs, using books called the Five Classics, as well as others. For the next 1,700 years the concepts of the great sage Confucius, combined with those of a philosopher named Xunzi, had powerful influence in China, Vietnam and Korea.

Answer: Scientology

Science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard founded The Church of Scientology in 1952. He called it a religion, though it follows no prophet or God. The main teaching is that people are immortal beings who need assistance restoring their "thetan" or the good, true life force and identity. Scientology is active in social reform, especially drug rehabilitation, literacy, ending gang activity, and support for those who are ill or hungry.

But it has had a great many critics. Tom Cruise, a vocal follower, and silent screen star Gloria Swanson, were among the many celebrity Scientologists.

Answer: Written texts

It was the written texts which spread religions far and wide. Early religion usually stayed within a group, effectively passing from one to another via oral tradition, while later soldiers, merchants, elders or even governments increased the reach of religions.

But it was the written text that wildly expanded the ability of scholars, devotees and travelers to spread, share and teach religion at great distances. The written texts also provided students worldwide the means to study a faith in detail.

The internet, and other incredibly fast communications, make the planet even smaller.

Answer: Harmony

Preserving harmony in family, society and the natural environment is the primary Shinto value, where each person fosters "wa", a positive balance in all things. This belief is held so strongly that if an individual does wrong or fails the society, s/he loses face, and will feel so shamed there must be atonement, or for serious wrongs, the person should commit suicide. "Kami" are many spirits, some of them ancestors or those who died in war, but others deities of weather, lakes and mountains, and also evil.

They influence everything in the cosmos, capable of providing protection and good outcomes, but requiring cleanliness, gifts and thankful prayer for their capricious moods.

Answer: Compassion for those in need

In the majority of the 4,000 religions across the world, compassion and service to others is at the forefront. Whether one is expected to give a portion of one's wealth, go out into the community and serve, uplift and teach, or study and pray, taking action for the betterment of the poor, weak and ill is central to most religions. For centuries religious rituals and practices will have us focus on and take action for "the least among us". Anthropologists explain this as a need to keep our tribal group and family strong. If some fall down, and nothing is done to help, the whole group suffers.