General Awareness

World Religions and Beliefs

3,397 Questions

World religions and beliefs encompass core theological principles, religious art, and the influence of spirituality on decision making. This topic is essential for general awareness and civics. Practice this set to master comparative religion facts.

Religious principlesTheological conceptsAnimism beliefsEconomic views on religionSpirituality and gratitude

World Religions and Beliefs Questions

Multiple choice

Some sociologists believe that religious sects such as the California-based Waiters, who believe the end of the world is imminent and seek to purify their souls by, among other things, abstaining completely from sexual relations, are a product of growing disaffection with modern, industrialized and urbanized living. As evidence, they cite the fact that there are no other active organizations of the same type which are more than 50 or 60 years old. The evidence, however, fails to support the conclusion for __________.

Which of the following is the most critical completion of the passage?

  1. the restrictions on sexual relations are such that the only source of new members is outside recruitment, so such sects tend to die out after a generation or two

  2. it is simply not possible to gauge the intensity of religious fervor by the length of time the religious sect remains viable

  3. the Waiters group may actually survive beyond the second generation of its existence

  4. there are other religious sects that emphasize group sexual activity which currently have several hundred members

  5. the Waiters are a California-based organization and have no members in the Northeast, which is even more heavily urban and industrialized than California
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(1) The author places himself in opposition to the sociologists whom he cites. He claims an alternative interpretation of the evidence. In other words, the most logical continuation of the passage will be the one that explains why such sects are not a recent phenomenon even though there are no old ones around. (1) does this neatly. Since the members abstain from sexual relations, they will not reproduce members and the sect will tend to die out. This explains why there are none more than 50 or 60 years old.

Multiple choice

Which of the following religions is the last to appear on the scene of India?

  1. Hinduism

  2. Islam

  3. Buddhism

  4. Sikhism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sikhism originated in the 15th century CE (1469) with the birth of Guru Nanak, making it the most recent major religion to emerge in India among the options. Hinduism's origins date to ancient Vedic traditions (1500 BCE+), Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BCE, and Islam entered India in the 7th-8th century CE via Arab traders.

Multiple choice

The religious movement which arose in medieval India as a result of the fusion of the many ideas of Islam and Hinduism was

  1. Vaishnavism

  2. the Bhakti movement

  3. Sikhism

  4. Sufism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Bhakti movement emerged in medieval India (6th-17th centuries CE) as a syncretic religious movement blending Islamic Sufi ideas with Hindu devotional traditions. It emphasized personal devotion to God, rejected rigid caste distinctions and elaborate rituals, and promoted monotheistic worship. Saints like Kabir, Nanak, and Mira exemplified this fusion.

Multiple choice

Which number is considered unlucky in Christian religion?

  1. 11

  2. 15

  3. 9

  4. 13
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The number 13 has long been considered unlucky in Christian tradition. This belief stems from the Last Supper where 13 people were present (Jesus plus 12 disciples), and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to arrive. This association led to triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13).

Multiple choice

Muslim religious foundations are known as

  1. Ulema

  2. Jihad

  3. Quzat

  4. Wakfs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Wakf Act 1954, defines Wakf as, 'Wakf means the permanent dedication by a person professing the Islam, of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognized by Muslim Law as religious, pious, or charitable'.

Multiple choice

What is meant by secularism?

  1. State has not its own religion

  2. Government of people

  3. Provide social justice to all

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Right- India is asecular state and it treats every religion equally. It has not its own religion recognised as state religion.

Multiple choice

Inter-personal relations in most societies are regulated by

  1. folkways and mores
  2. religious institutions
  3. legal institutions

  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 2 and 3 only

  3. 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Interpersonal relations are governed by multiple social control mechanisms. Folkways and mores (1) represent informal norms that guide everyday behavior and social expectations. Religious institutions (2) provide moral frameworks and ethical guidelines that shape interactions. The correct answer A includes both these crucial sources of social regulation. Legal institutions (3) provide formal enforcement, but the question asks about 'most societies' where informal and religious controls are more pervasive than formal legal systems.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, five statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these statements.

A. It does not support egalitarianism. B. It approves social and economic inequality and accepts hierarchical structure. C. Against this, religions like Islam are egalitarian in theory. D. Others like Buddhism restrict equality to the moral and ethical spheres of life.

E. Hinduism arose and evolved in a period when inequality was a fact of life and the social function of the religion was not to change this but to try and ameliorate the reality for those who found it harsh and abrasive.

  1. ABEDC

  2. BADCE

  3. EDBAC

  4. ABCDE
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Let us look for links. On close scrutiny, B explains A (It does not support egalitarianism or equality but apporves inequality). C explains B (other religions like islam promote egalitarianism) D must follow C as 'others' in D refer to 'religions' in C. Thus, we have ABCD link. 'Against this' in C gives a contradictory idea to the concepts of Hinduism in AB link, hence, CD follows AB. This link is in (4), thus, it is the answer.

Multiple choice

Secularism envisages

  1. equal status for all religion

  2. no religion

  3. particular religion for state

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Secularism in the Indian context means that the state maintains neutrality towards all religions and ensures they all have equal status. It does not mean the absence of religion, but rather that the state does not favor any particular faith over others.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the best definition from the options given.

Chauvinism

  1. Realistic

  2. Patriarchies

  3. One who believes in God

  4. Irrational belief that one's country, group is superior
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Chauvinism is the irrational belief in the superiority of one's own group, country, or gender. It often manifests as aggressive patriotism or prejudiced loyalty. It is not related to belief in God or realism.