Ancient Religions

Question 1

Indigenous groups of humans (nomads) first worshipped what kind of diety?

Answer 1

Goddesses (Mother Nature or Earth Mother)

Question 2

There are four types of beliefs in God. What are they?

Answer 2

Polytheistic, Trinitarian, Monotheistic, None

Question 3

What does BC mean for Christians?

Answer 3

BC = Before Christ (time before Jesus’s birth

Question 4

What does AD mean for Christians?

Answer 4

AD = Anno Domini (“In the year of the lord”)

Question 5

Did ancient religions give us the names for our current calendar system?

Answer 5

Yes (Days of the Week based on Old English and a mix of religious mythology; Months of the Year based on Roman Mythology)

Question 6

What are Hieroglyphics?

Answer 6

A writing system devised by the Ancient Egyptians to record their history and religious beliefs for all recorded time.

Question 7

What are Pharaohs?

Answer 7

Equivalent of Kings in Egypt who are considered divine in their origin (incarnations of previous Gods) and ruled as Gods, not as representatives of Gods.

Question 8

The Egyptians sources of scripture were based on what three forms

Answer 8

Pyramid texts; Coffin Texts; The book of the Dead

Question 9

The Ancient Egyptians were most closely associated with what two elements of religion?

Answer 9

The afterlife and the human soul

Question 10

Ancient Greeks were masters of this form of communication

Answer 10

Oral Communication

Question 11

Ancient Greeks believed in this type of God(s)

Answer 11

Polytheistic

Question 12

This God was considered the “father” of Gods/Goddesses in Greek Mythology

Answer 12

Zeus

Question 13

Which two poets were considered responsible for the main oral traditions of Greek mythology

Answer 13

Homer and Hesiod

Question 14

Ancient Roman mythology parallels Greek Mythology

Answer 14

True

Question 15

The two most important Gods in Roman Religion were whom?

Answer 15

Vesta (Goddess) and Janus (God)

Question 16

Who are considered to be the four main Gods in the Egyptian Mythology?

Answer 16

Amun-Ra, Osiris, Isis and Anubis

Question 17

The three main arms of Chinese spirituality are

Answer 17

Ancient Worship; Confucianism; Taoism

Question 18

What is Confucius’ name in Chinese?

Answer 18

Kung-Fu tsu

Question 19

What are the Five Constant Relationships in Confucianism?

Answer 19

The five types of relationships central to social life, all of which must be properly conducted in order to maintain a healthy society

1) Husband and wife
2) Parent and child
3) Elder sibling and younger sibling
4) Elder friend and younger friend
5) Ruler and subject

Question 20

What is Li?

Answer 20

In Confucian thought, “li” refers to “the way things should be done” or “Proper Behaviour”

• Literally, “ritual”
• In this context, extends to secular situations
• The behaviors and traditions that lead to a peaceful civilization

Question 21

Who is the Founder of Taoism?

Answer 21

Lao-Tzu

Question 22

What is the Central Text of Taoism?

Answer 22

The Tao Te Ching

Question 23

What is the literal meaning of “Tao”?

Answer 23

The Way

Question 24

What is the most important symbol of Taoism and what does it represent?

Answer 24

The yin-yang symbol

• Opposites that complement rather than undermine each other
• Function together within a larger whole
• This applies to many dualities, e.g., life and death, male and female, warmth and cold

Question 25

What is ch’i?

Answer 25

The life-force that flows through one’s body
Literally “breath”

Maximization and control of ch’i is central to Taoist exercises