Religious Literacy

What is the second largest religion in the world?

• Christianity

• Judaism

• Islam

• Hinduism

Answer explanation

Islam is the second largest religion in the world, following Christianity. It has over 1.5 billion followers globally.

According to the Pew Research Center, what percentage of the world's population is religiously unaffiliated?

• 11%

• 16%

• 20%

• 25%

Answer explanation

Unaffiliated is a broad category that can include agnostics, atheists, secular humanists, spirtual but not religious, etc.

Which Christian denomination is the largest in the United States?

• Roman Catholic

• United Methodist Church

• Southern Baptist Convention

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Answer explanation

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the United States, with a significant number of adherents compared to other denominations like the United Methodist Church and Southern Baptist Convention.

The Episcopal Church is part of which global Christian tradition?

• Roman Catholic

• Eastern Orthodox

• Anglican

• Pentecostal

Answer explanation

The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican tradition, which originated from the Church of England. There are approximately 1.5 million members.

In what year did the Episcopal Church officially approve the ordination of women to the priesthood?

• 1949

• 1976

• 1992

• 1965

Answer explanation

The Philadelphia Eleven are eleven women who were the first women ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church, two years before General Convention affirmed and explicitly authorized the ordination of women to the priesthood.

Which statement best describes the Episcopal Church's current stance on LGBTQ clergy?

• LGBTQ individuals cannot be ordained or married within the church

• LGBTQ individuals can be ordained and may marry within the church

• LGBTQ individuals may be ordained but cannot marry within the church

Answer explanation

The Episcopal Church currently allows LGBTQ individuals to be ordained and to marry within the church, reflecting its inclusive stance on LGBTQ clergy and relationships.

What is the weekly day of rest in Judaism, when work is avoided and family and worship are prioritized?

• Yom Kippur

• Shabbat

• Rosh Hashanah

• Purim

Answer explanation

The weekly day of rest in Judaism is Shabbat, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. It is a time for family, worship, and refraining from work.

What is the ultimate aim in Buddhism, representing freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth?

• Moksha

• Karma

• Nirvana

• Dharma

Answer explanation

In Buddhism, the ultimate aim is to achieve Nirvana, which signifies liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). It represents a state of perfect peace and freedom from suffering.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, is the holiest place for followers of the 5th largest religion in the world known as?

• Buddhism

• Sikhi

• Hinduism

• Daoism

Answer explanation

The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest site for Sikhi, the religion founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century. Sikhi is the 5th largest religion in the world, but is often left out of lists of "major world religions."

Which of the following best describes an agnostic perspective?

• Uncertainty about the existence of gods

• Belief in no gods

• Belief in many gods

• Devotion to a single deity

Answer explanation

An agnostic perspective is characterized by uncertainty about the existence of gods, rather than outright belief or disbelief. This distinguishes it from atheism (no gods) and theism (belief in a deity).