Question 1

What does the &#34;Axial Age&#34; refer to?&#10;A) a period of time when people living across Eurasia radically changed how they thought about and acted toward divinity&#10;B) another name for the Industrial Revolution when work and religion became intertwined&#10;C) the advent of colonialism when contact between religions prompted blending, also known as syncretism&#10;D) This is the common name for the turn of every century, which brings about rapid change and anxiety about times to come

Accepted Answer

The Axial Age refers to a period of time (roughly 800-200 BCE) when people living across Eurasia radically changed how they thought about and acted toward divinity. This period saw the emergence of major world religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and monotheistic traditions like Judaism. It is named after the axial shift in human thought and behavior that occurred during this time.

Question 2

What is the term for ritual experts possessed by spirits?&#10;A) witches&#10;B) shamans&#10;C) magicians&#10;D) Wiccans

Accepted Answer

Shamans are ritual experts who are believed to be able to communicate with and be possessed by spirits. Witches, magicians, and Wiccans may have different beliefs and practices, but they are not necessarily associated with spirit possession as a defining feature.

Question 3

In Japan, kami, or spirits, are characterized by which of the following?&#10;A) They can inhabit any place.&#10;B) Their presences help preserve the boundary between the sacred and the profane.&#10;C) The most important kami are found in the household.&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the statements are true about kami in Japanese culture. Kamis can inhabit any place and can be found in natural objects such as trees, rocks or waterfalls. Kami presences help maintain the distinction between sacred and profane spaces. In Shinto, the majority religion in Japan, household kami, or ujigami, are a common focus of daily worship for Japanese people.

Question 4

Which stream of Buddhism stresses the availability to everyone of pathways toward the status of Buddha?&#10;A) Theravada&#10;B) Mahayana&#10;C) Both Theravada and Mahayana&#10;D) Neither Theravada nor Mahayana

Accepted Answer

Mahayana Buddhism stresses the availability to everyone of pathways toward the status of Buddha. Mahayana teaches that all beings possess the Buddha nature, and anyone can reach enlightenment if they follow the bodhisattva path. This is in contrast to Theravada Buddhism, which emphasizes the attainment of personal enlightenment by following the Eightfold Path, and only a few selected and dedicated individuals can become arhats or Buddhas.

Question 5

Looking specifically at the case of the Israelites, taboos and boundaries became central elements in everyday life after what practice was no longer possible?&#10;A) pilgrimage&#10;B) direct contact with God&#10;C) animal sacrifice&#10;D) honoring the Sabbath

Accepted Answer

Animal sacrifice was a central practice in ancient Israelite religion, and when it was no longer possible, taboos and boundaries became more emphasized to maintain religious and cultural identity.

Question 6

When Europeans first began studying other religions, they assumed all religions would practice exclusivity, meaning what?&#10;A) Certain groups of people would not be allowed to convert to that specific religion.&#10;B) A person could be a member of only one religion at a time.&#10;C) Religion was about prestige more than personal salvation.&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Europeans assumed all religions would practice exclusivity, meaning that a person could be a member of only one religion at a time.

Question 7

Which of the following is true about Siddhartha of the clan Gautama?&#10;A) He found enlightenment after long meditation.&#10;B) He is worshipped by Buddhist practitioners today.&#10;C) He is a god.&#10;D) He is a fictional character from Indian folklore.

Accepted Answer

Siddhartha of the clan Gautama is the historical figure who founded Buddhism and attained enlightenment after years of meditation. He is not considered a god and while he is revered by Buddhists, he is not worshipped in the same way as a deity. He is also not a fictional character from Indian folklore.

Question 8

The Wana people of Sulawesi provide a case study of which of the following?&#10;A) a group of people whose religion was wiped out by colonialism&#10;B) a group of people who have so far been successful at resisting conversion to a state-recognized religion&#10;C) a group of people who use violent tactics to keep their religious beliefs intact&#10;D) a group of people who proselytize throughout the world about the end of days and how to gain salvation

Accepted Answer

The Wana people have resisted conversion to state-recognized religions, specifically Islam and Christianity. They have been able to maintain their own beliefs and practices despite outside pressures to convert.

Question 9

Which of the following is a religion in Japan that is also called &#34;the way of the kami&#34; and refers to the sense of power felt in things of the world and spirits?&#10;A) Confucianism&#10;B) Buddhism&#10;C) Taoism&#10;D) Shintoism

Accepted Answer

Shintoism, also known as "the way of the kami," is a religion in Japan that focuses on the worship of spirits or kami that are believed to exist in all things. It is an indigenous religion to Japan and is often practiced alongside Buddhism. Confucianism and Taoism originated in China, while Buddhism was imported to Japan from India.

Deck 3: Authority and Centralization