Question 1

Ancient Egyptians focused on

Accepted Answer

Ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife and therefore their focus was preparing for the afterlife. They believed that their actions in life would determine their fate in the afterlife, and they would need certain possessions and offerings to sustain them in the afterlife.

Question 2

In the writings of Dante and Thomas Aquinas, earlier concepts of death are subordinated to an emphasis on

Accepted Answer

Both Dante and Thomas Aquinas prioritize the idea of the immortality of the soul over earlier concepts of death. They focus on the idea that the soul lives on after the body dies and that its destiny is dependent on a moral life. This emphasis on the immortality of the soul is reflected in Dante's Divina Commedia and Aquinas's Summa Theologica.

Question 3

Historically, in Christian beliefs, the intermediate state where an opportunity for purification is offered to eliminate any remaining obstacles to full enjoyment of eternal union with God is called

Accepted Answer

Purgatory is the intermediate state in Christian beliefs where souls go after death to eliminate any remaining obstacles to full enjoyment of eternal union with God. In this state, the soul undergoes purification before it can enter heaven. The doctrine of purgatory is associated with the Roman Catholic Church, although it has its roots in early Christian beliefs. The other choices, hades, polis, and koan, do not refer to the intermediate state of the soul in Christian beliefs.

Question 4

Two tombstone inscriptions from the American colonial period are cited in the text: "Sleeping, but will someday meet her maker" and "Gone to his eternal reward." What is the most important insight to be gained from these inscriptions?

Accepted Answer

The two tombstone inscriptions demonstrate how contrasting ideas about the afterlife can coexist in time. One implies that the deceased will meet their maker at some point in the future, while the other suggests that they have already gone to their eternal reward. This highlights the diversity of religious beliefs in colonial America.

Question 5

A basic premise of Qur'anic teaching about death is that

Accepted Answer

According to Qur'anic teaching, death is determined by God and the length of a person's life is predetermined by their Creator. This is emphasized in multiple verses of the Qur'an such as (3:145) "And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allah at a decree determined."

Question 6

What has been characterized as the "most persistent image of afterlife in the history of religion"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What has been characterized as the "most...

Question 7

The ancient Hebrews praised righteous conduct because

Accepted Answer

The ancient Hebrews believed that righteous conduct leads to harmony and blessings in the present life, rather than focusing on the afterlife or fear-driven motivations.

Question 8

Who emphasized the dualism of the body and soul?

Accepted Answer

Plato emphasized the dualism of the body and soul in his philosophy.

Question 9

The Hebrew word She'ol refers to

Accepted Answer

She'ol in Hebrew refers to the underworld where all the dead not just the wicked go. It is often translated in English as "grave" or "pit." The concept of She'ol is not equivalent to the Christian concept of hell, as it is not a place of punishment for the wicked.

Question 10

Hades was typically pictured as

Accepted Answer

Hades was seen as a dark and somber underworld, which is typically associated with despair and sadness. This is reflected in the portrayal of the Greek god, who is often depicted as gloomy and stern.

Question 11

The ancient Hebrews viewed the notion of human personality as an

Accepted Answer

The ancient Hebrews viewed personality as an animated body, with the breath of God infusing life into physical bodies. They did not believe in reincarnation or the existence of a separate soul entity.

Question 12

According to Jewish tradition, our lives are measured by our

Accepted Answer

According to Jewish tradition, our lives are measured by our deeds or actions, particularly those that serve to make the world a better place. This is reflected in the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, which means "repairing the world" through acts of kindness, generosity, and social justice. While wealth, wisdom, and children may be important aspects of life, they are not necessarily the ultimate measure of a person's worth or impact on the world.

Question 13

The notion that life continues after death

Accepted Answer

Belief in an afterlife is a concept that has been present in various cultures throughout history, making it one of the oldest human concepts.

Question 14

The ancient Greeks stressed the survival of the

Accepted Answer

The ancient Greeks emphasized the importance of the polis, or city-state, and the community over the individual. This can be seen in their emphasis on civic participation and the concept of citizenship, as well as their belief in the power of collective action and decision-making in the polis. While education and physical fitness were valued, they were not the primary focus of Greek society. The survival of the ruling class and elite was also not a primary concern, as democracy and egalitarianism were increasingly prevalent in Greek society over time. The concept of the soul and eternity was important in Greek religion and philosophy, but it was not necessarily seen as central to the survival of the community.

Question 15

Which of the following statements best reflects the understanding of resurrection in early Christianity?

Accepted Answer

Early Christianity understood resurrection as a special kind of bodily existence that has symbolic or spiritual meaning. This view is different from the belief that the soul is eternal, as it emphasizes the importance of the body which is transformed and redeemed in the resurrection. The idea of purgatory and the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another were not central to early Christian beliefs about resurrection.

Question 16

Islamic teachings about death include the idea that

Accepted Answer

Islamic teachings believe that God determines a person's lifespan, and that death is predetermined. This belief is reflected in the phrase "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon" which means "To God we belong and to Him we return" and is often recited when someone dies. It acknowledges the belief that death is a natural part of life and that ultimately, God has control over our lives.

Question 17

In, The Apology, Socrates describes death as

Accepted Answer

In "The Apology," Socrates posits that death is something not to be feared, suggesting it could be either an eternal bliss (akin to being in the favor of the gods) or a dreamless sleep, which he equates to an undisturbed state free from the trials of life.

Question 18

In what tradition are lives measured by deeds and living up to your full potential?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what tradition are lives measured by...

Question 19

The Islamic vision of the afterlife is

Accepted Answer

According to Islamic beliefs, the afterlife is both spiritual and physical. Muslims believe that after death, the soul is separated from the physical body and is held accountable for its deeds in this life. The soul remains in a state of waiting until the Day of Judgment, when it will be reunited with the physical body for the final judgment. The physical body is believed to be resurrected and enter a new eternal life.

Question 20

Which Greek philosopher believed that, through purification, discipline, and successive rounds of births and deaths, the soul eventually merges with the divine?

Accepted Answer

Pythagoras believed in the transmigration of souls, which involves successive rounds of births and deaths. He also emphasized the necessity of purification and discipline in order for the soul to eventually achieve a state of divine unity.

Quiz 14: Beyond Deathafter Life