General Awareness

World Religions and Beliefs

4,025 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 history medieval europe - rise and spread of christianity christianity rise and spread of christianity religion in the sixth century bce

Jesus taught that there was one God who was ___________.

  1. Compassionate

  2. Loving

  3. Forgiving

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Jesus taught that God is characterized by love, compassion, and forgiveness. Since all these attributes are central to his teachings, the inclusive option is correct.

Multiple choice history india: from 200 b.c.- 300 b.c. christianity medieval europe - rise and spread of christianity rise and spread of christianity

Jerusalem is not a sacred place for the followers of _________.

  1. Christianity

  2. Islam

  3. Zoroastrianism

  4. Judaism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Jerusalem is not a sacred place for the followers of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism was founded by the prophet and reformer Zoroaster, the religion contains both monotheistic and dualistic features. The ancients saw in Zoroastrianism the archetype of the dualistic view of the world and of the man's destiny.

Multiple choice history india: from 200 b.c.- 300 b.c. christianity medieval europe - rise and spread of christianity rise and spread of christianity

Which is the holy city of Jews?

  1. Bethlehem

  2. Rome

  3. Babylon

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

Jerusalem is considered a holy city to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike. The city is important to Christians and Jews because many important biblical events are said to have taken place in Jerusalem. During classical antiquity, Jerusalem was considered the center of the world, where God resided.

Multiple choice history india: from 200 b.c.- 300 b.c. christianity medieval europe - rise and spread of christianity rise and spread of christianity

Which religion is associated with the 'Sermon on the Mount'? 

  1. Christianity

  2. Parsi religion

  3. Islam

  4. Jewish religion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings credited to Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew. The Sermon on the Mount is the first of Jesus’ five long speeches in the Gospel of Matthew. It is a three-chapter summary of Jesus’ moral instruction. 
Multiple choice political science india's internal challenges internal challenges faced by india discrimination prejudice and discrimination

A person who does not discrimnate others on the basis of religious beliefs is called_________.

  1. Communalist

  2. Secularist

  3. Casteist

  4. Feminist
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  • Secularist is a person who follows the ideology of secularism.
  • Secularism is nothing but treating all religions equally.
  • Articles of Indian Constitution related to secularism are 25, 26, 27 and 28.
Multiple choice political science india's internal challenges internal challenges faced by india discrimination prejudice and discrimination

Which one of the following is not a case of communalism?

  1. Religion is taken as the basis of the nation.

  2. When one religion is discriminated against other.

  3. State has no official religion.

  4. Demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Communalism is an ideology where people are allegiant to their faith, religion or group and act in its interest rather than nation's. A state having no official religion of its own is a Secular state like India where no religion is favoured by state and all religions are treated equally.

Multiple choice political science india's internal challenges internal challenges faced by india discrimination prejudice and discrimination

Consider the following statement and choose the correct option:
a. A common expression of communalism is the belief that one religion is superior to all others.
b. Political mobilization on religious lines is a form of communalism.

  1. a is true but b is false

  2. a is false but b is true

  3. both a and b are true

  4. both a and b are false
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions, when the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics. 

 Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 

Multiple choice political science india's internal challenges internal challenges faced by india discrimination prejudice and discrimination

The term 'Sarva Dharma Sumbhav' implies __________.

  1. respect for one religion

  2. two religions

  3. all religions

  4. state religion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sarv Dharma Sumbhav is a concept which implies that all religions (Dharmas) point to one destination though the paths may be different. It embodies the idea of sustenance and co-existence of all religions and their followers through harmony. The concept was embraced by Swami Vivekananda but is largely attributed to Mahatma Gandhi who preached it among masses to bring unity among Hindus and Muslims to fight together against British Raj. It is the very base of the feature of Secularism in the Constitution.

Multiple choice history jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu growth of unorthodox religious movements religion in the sixth century bce rise of territorial kingdoms and heterodox religions

"Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness' ".
-Moses's words to Pharaoh as recounted in the Bible, Exodus $5:1$

Identify which of the following religions that would NOT accept the statement as part of their religious heritage.

  1. Roman Catholicism

  2. Islam

  3. Eastern Orthodox

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

Zoroastrianism, Mazdayasna, is one of the world's oldest religions that remains active. It is a monotheistic faith, centered in a dualistic cosmology of good and evil and an eschatology predicting the ultimate destruction of evil. Ascribed to the teachings of the Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster, it exalts a deity of wisdom, Ahura Mazda, as its Supreme Being. Major features of Zoroastrianism, such as messianism, judgment after death, heaven and hell, and free will have influenced other.

Multiple choice history jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu growth of unorthodox religious movements religion in the sixth century bce rise of territorial kingdoms and heterodox religions

Buddhism was founded in past as a response to questions about which faith?

  1. Islam

  2. Taoism

  3. Jainism

  4. Hinduism

  5. Christianity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century BCE. At that time, there was major discontent  with Brahmanic (Hindu high-caste) sacrifice and ritual. Buddhism is a religion that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings of the Buddha.

Multiple choice history jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu growth of unorthodox religious movements religion in the sixth century bce rise of territorial kingdoms and heterodox religions

What according to Zoroaster is the great object of religion, state or society?

  1. Freedom

  2. Justice

  3. Morality

  4. Equality
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Zoroaster taught that the great object of religion, state or society is the cultivation of morality. The highest religious conception is purity of thought, word and deed. 

He asserted that Ahura Mazda has seven qualities:
(1) light; 
(2) good mind; 
(3) right; 
(4) dominion; 
(5) piety; 
(6) well-being; and 
(7) immortality.

Multiple choice history jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu growth of unorthodox religious movements religion in the sixth century bce rise of territorial kingdoms and heterodox religions

What is meant by Ahura Mazda?

  1. The Lord of Light

  2. The Lord of Sound

  3. The Lord of Soul

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

Ahura Mazda in Persian means the Lord of Light.

Zoroaster of Persia is the founder of Zoroastrianism. Zoroaster was pained to find his people worshipping primitive deities. He revolted against it and proclaimed to the world that there is one god, Ahura Mazda (the Lord of Light).

The holy book of Zoroastrians is Zend Avesta. It is a collection of sacred literature of different epochs, containing religious hymns, invocations, prayers, confessions, laws, myths and sacred reminiscences.

Multiple choice history jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu growth of unorthodox religious movements religion in the sixth century bce rise of territorial kingdoms and heterodox religions

Why did Zoroastrianism cease to exist in its place of origin?

  1. Muslim conquest

  2. Spread of Christianity

  3. Migration of Jews

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

Zoroastrianism ceased to exist in its place of origin, as in the wake of the Muslim conquest of Persia (Iran), many of the Zoroastrian families fled to different countries, including India between the eighth century and tenth century CE. With their dwindling numbers and in the face of coercive measures adopted by the Arabs to push through their new faith, as well as the incidents of destruction of fire temples and killing of priests, Zoroastrianism went into a decline.