Q&A to Table Questions
Table 1
Question: A Buddhist Temple (Stupa) must have a statue of the Buddha. The
temples are built to reflect five elements. What are these elements?
Answer: Fire, air, earth, water and wisdom
Table 2
Question: What religion or belief is this the symbol of?
Answer: Unitarianism
There are about 7,000 Unitarians in Great Britain and Ireland, and about 150
Unitarian ministers. There are about 800,000 Unitarians worldwide.
In line with their approach to religious truth, Unitarians see diversity and pluralism as
valuable rather than threatening. They want religion to be broad, inclusive, and
tolerant. Unitarianism can therefore include people who are Christian, Jewish,
Buddhist, Pagan and Atheist.
The Unitarians were the first church in Britain to accept women as ministers, in 1904.
They welcome gays and lesbians in their ministry and support equal rights for gay
people within the Church and in society at large.
Unitarians are so called because they insist on the oneness of God and because
they affirm the essential unity of humankind and of creation
Table 3
Question: Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to
liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation.
The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and
for the health of the universe itself.
How many Jains (estimate) are practicing in the UK?
Answer: 25,000
Most Jains live in India, and according to the 2001 Census of India there are around
4.2 million living there. However, the Oxford Handbook of Global Religions,
published in 2006, suggests that census figures may provide lower than the true
number of followers as many Jains identify themselves as Hindu. The Handbook
also states that there are around 25,000 Jains in Britain.
Table 4
Many Rastafari maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet all of the time. Food approved for
Rastafari is called ital. As a result some Rastas eat limited types of meat in
accordance with the dietary Laws of the Old Testament.
Question: What two foods do Rasta not eat?
Answer: Pork or shellfish
Table 5
Question: What religion does this symbol represent?
Answer: Shinto
Shinto is a nature focused religion of Japan, the origins of this belief system are
unknown and it dates back to prehistory. Shinto stresses the harmony of natural
beauty and the appreciation of perceived reality. Today’s Shinto practitioners place a
great emphasis on tradition and ceremonial custom, rather than on religious or
metaphysical doctrines.
Shinto has many rituals which are performed to celebrate purity, clarity and contact
with the diverse forces of nature. Traditionally, the rituals were closely linked with the
seasons.
Table 6
Question: Asatru means, roughly, "belief in the Gods" in Old Norse, the language of
ancient Scandinavia.
What religion is Asatru?
Answer: Pagan/Neo Pagan
The umbrella term “neo-paganism” is a relatively new word to describe religions or
belief systems that incorporate gods/goddesses, symbols, ritual and other aspects of
an ancient religion. Many adherents to this movement prefer to be referred to simply
as pagans because they find the term neo-pagan derogatory. Some of the most
popular pagan or neo-pagan movements are:
Asatru is also known as Odinism and is an ancient Norse religion. Asatru (from the
Icelandic language meaning “true to Asa”), believes that each person is dependent
on others and that it is only through working together that true harmony can be
achieved. It is a religion or belief system that believes in contribution by the individual
to the greater good.
The Gods (or Asa) are known as the Aesir and the Vanir. The Aesir are primarily
warrior gods and are generally speaking the “higher gods”; while the Vanir are
largely fertility gods. Asatru believe that there are “nine worlds” held together and
reached by the yggdrassil (world tree). These worlds are the realms of the Gods,
humans, light elves, dark elves, dwarves, giants and others.
Asatru believe in Nine Nobel Virtues:
Courage, truth, honour, fidelity, discipline, hospitality, industriousness, self-reliance
and perseverance.
Table 7
Question: What religion or belief is this the symbol of?
Answer: Humanism
Humanism is an outlook of goodwill and reason toward fellow man. Humanist do not
accept a belief in God or any Divine plan for humanity. Freedom and tolerance to all
are basic Humanist beliefs, a person of this philosophy believes in respect for all
people regardless of race, class or creed.
Humanist believe in having faith in man’s intellect and sprit and view the highest
good as any action that serves the best for mankind. Humanism’s main focus is a
sense of morality and they believe very strongly in every individual’s freedom of
choice.
Table 8
Question: Santeria also known as Regla de Ocha, La Regla Lucumí or Lukumi (Way
of the Saints) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions,
with some Roman Catholic elements added. The religion is also known as La Regla
Lucumi and the Rule of Osha.
Where did Santeria originate from?
Answer: Cuba
Santeria is a syncretic religion that grew out of the slave trade in Cuba.
The religion focuses on building relationships between human beings and powerful,
but mortal, spirits, called Orishas. An Orisha is a manifestation of Olodumare (God).
Followers believe that these spirits will give them help in life, if they carry out the
appropriate rituals, and enable them to achieve the destiny that God planned for
them before they were born.
Table 9
Question: Zoroastrianism is the first recorded monotheistic religion of the world. The
date of it’s founding is not certain, but scholars generally agree that it began between
2000 and 1800 BCE.
Who is the founder of this religion?
Answer: Zarathustra
The founder of Zoroastrianism was a man called Zarathustra (or Zoroaster as called
by the Greeks). It is said that Zarathustra saw the God (Ahura Mazda (the wise
Lord)). It is believed that during this encounter Zarathustra feld conscious of His
presence and heard His words, words which are recorded in the five songs or poems
he subsequently composed. These songs or poems are called “Gathas”, which forms
part of the Zoroastrian sacred text called the Avesta.
Ceremonies are performed in front of a sacred fire (fire is the symbol of Ahura
Mazda. Worship is comprised of prayers and symbolic ceremonies.
There are 7 major Zoroastrian Holy Days:
Maidhyoizaremaya (April/May)
Maidhyoishema (June/July)
Paitshahya (September)
Ayathrima (October)
Maidhyairya (January)
Hamaspathmaedaya, Muktad (March)
NoRoz (March)