Question 1

The secular approach to life rejects religion because of:&#10;A)the rising number of private religions.&#10;B)the lack of institutions offering religious studies as a subject.&#10;C)the lack of cross-cultural understanding among people.&#10;D)the perceived evils of extremism.

Accepted Answer

The secular approach to life often rejects religion due to the perceived evils of extremism, such as religious fundamentalism, intolerance, and violence. The emphasis on rationality, empirical observation, and science is another reason why many individuals choose a secular worldview over religious beliefs. The rising number of private religions, the lack of institutions offering religious studies as a subject, and the lack of cross-cultural understanding among people may be contributing factors, but they are not the primary reason why people choose a secular approach to life. The secular approach to life largely rejects religion due to the perceived evils of extremism, such as religious terrorism, fundamentalism, and persecution of individuals based on their beliefs. This is a major factor driving many people away from organized religion and towards secularism or spirituality.

Question 2

The prayer services attended by people during Christmas every year best exemplifies which dimension of religion.&#10;A)aesthetic&#10;B)ritual&#10;C)ethical&#10;D)cognitive

Accepted Answer

The prayer services attended by people during Christmas every year are a type of ritual, which is one of the dimensions of religion. Rituals are a set of actions, often with symbolic meaning, performed in a particular way, and often repeated over time. These actions are typically associated with beliefs, and are often seen as a way to connect with the divine or to reinforce a sense of community among believers. The prayer services attended by people during Christmas every year exemplify the ritual dimension of religion, which includes practices and ceremonies that express the beliefs and values of the religious community.

Question 3

Which of the following skills is likely to be taught by an academic course in world religions?&#10;A)the ability to help people understand the importance of a secular way of life&#10;B)the ability to convert people to a particular religion&#10;C)the ability to promote private religions&#10;D)the ability to understand and explain important religious texts both critically and empathetically

Accepted Answer

A course in world religions is likely to teach about various religions and their important religious texts. This includes understanding and explaining them both critically and empathetically. The course is not intended to promote any particular religion or a secular way of life, nor is it meant to convert people to a particular religion or promote private religions. An academic course in world religions is likely to teach students how to understand and explain important religious texts both critically and empathetically. This skill is important in helping students gain a deeper understanding of different religions and their beliefs. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they promote a religious agenda, which is not the purpose of an academic course in world religions.

Question 4

&#201;mile Durkheim, French sociologist of religion, defined religion as:&#10;A)&#34;The daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable&#34;&#10;B)&#34;A set of things which the average man thinks he believes and wishes he was certain of&#34;&#10;C)&#34;A unified system of beliefs and practices ...which unite into one single moral community&#34;&#10;D)&#34;The key to the ultimate truth about life&#34;

Accepted Answer

Durkheim believed that religion was a social phenomenon which provided a sense of solidarity and unity among its followers. He identified religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices which united individuals into a single moral community. Option A (which was coined by George Bernard Shaw) is a poetic but subjective definition of religion. Option B emphasizes on uncertainty rather than the communal nature of religion. Option D is based on a personal belief and does not reflect the objective nature of religion as Durkheim perceived it. Durkheim believed that religion is not just a set of individual beliefs or private matters, but rather a social phenomenon that brings people together in a unified moral community. He believed that this social integration was the primary function of religion.

Question 5

The belief in many gods is called:&#10;A)multitheism.&#10;B)nominalism.&#10;C)polytheism.&#10;D)contratheism.

Accepted Answer

Polytheism is the belief in multiple gods or deities. Polytheism refers to the belief in multiple gods or deities.

Question 6

Identify a true statement about preunderstanding.&#10;A)One's preunderstanding ensures that new experiences do not overload one's brain.&#10;B)It is the state of one's understanding of reality.&#10;C)One is born with a preunderstanding of one's environment.&#10;D)It is not dynamic in nature.

Accepted Answer

Preunderstanding refers to one's prior knowledge and understanding of a subject or reality. It is not fixed or static and can be influenced by new experiences and learning. Option A is incorrect as preunderstanding cannot prevent overload in the brain. Option C is incorrect as preunderstanding is acquired through experiences and learning, not innate. Option D is incorrect as preunderstanding is a dynamic process that can evolve over time. Preunderstanding refers to the state of one's understanding of reality, shaped by one's past experiences, cultural background, beliefs, and biases. It is not fixed, but rather dynamic and constantly evolving as one encounters new experiences and learns more about the world. Option A is incorrect because preunderstanding does not prevent overload; in fact, it can sometimes limit one's ability to process new information. Option C is incorrect because while some preunderstanding may be innate (such as basic sensory processing), much of it is acquired through experience. Option D is incorrect because preunderstanding is a constantly evolving aspect of cognition.

Question 7

Which of the following has challenged most religions for the past decades?&#10;A)the rise of polytheism&#10;B)the rise of secularism&#10;C)the rise of monotheism&#10;D)the rise of patriarchal systems

Accepted Answer

The rise of secularism, the ideology that rejects the influence of religion in public affairs and emphasizes the importance of rationality and scientific knowledge, has challenged many religions in the past decades. This has been particularly true in Western countries where religious affiliation has declined, and people increasingly identify as atheists, agnostics, or spiritual but not religious. The rise of secularism, which emphasizes the separation of religion and government, has challenged many religions in recent decades. This is because secularism often promotes ideas such as individual freedom and the scientific method, which can conflict with religious beliefs and teachings. While polytheism, monotheism, and patriarchal systems have all been subject to criticism and challenge at various times, none have had as broad and sustained an impact on religious traditions as secularism.

Question 8

Which of the following is a dimension of religion?&#10;A)the aesthetic dimension&#10;B)the analytic dimension&#10;C)the doctrinal dimension&#10;D)the scientology dimension

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a dimension...

Question 9

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of monotheists?&#10;A)They follow a private religion and set their own rules.&#10;B)They do not worship idols.&#10;C)They owe allegiance to multiple religions.&#10;D)They believe in one God.

Accepted Answer

Monotheists believe in one God, which is the defining characteristic of their religion. The other options are not defining characteristics of monotheism. Monotheists believe in one God, as opposed to polytheists who believe in multiple gods. The other options are not defining characteristics of monotheists.

Question 10

In the context of the ethical dimension of religion, which of the following statements is true?&#10;A)Religion lays more emphasis on personal ethics than on social ethics.&#10;B)Religious ethics are &#34;rules&#34; that have negative connotations.&#10;C)All religions have moral expectations for marriage.&#10;D)Social ethics are always separated from the formal laws of a nation.

Accepted Answer

Many religions have specific moral expectations for marriage, such as the importance of fidelity and commitment. This reflects the idea that personal moral behavior can have a broader impact on society and the community as a whole. Option A is incorrect because religion can place significant emphasis on both personal and social ethics. Option B is incorrect because religious ethics can have positive as well as negative connotations. Option D is incorrect because social ethics can be intertwined with the laws of a nation, such as laws against discrimination or creating a just economic system. Most religions have moral expectations for marriage, such as fidelity, commitment, and respect. This is a common ethical dimension among religions, regardless of other differences. Option A is incorrect because while personal ethics are emphasized, social ethics are also important. Option B is incorrect because religious ethics can include both positive and negative rules, such as prohibitions against murder and requirements to show compassion. Option D is incorrect because social ethics often influence and are influenced by formal laws, but they are not always separate.

Question 11

Karl Marx influentially defined religion as:&#10;A)&#34;The daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.&#34;&#10;B)&#34;A set of things which the average man thinks he believes and wishes he was certain of.&#34;&#10;C)&#34;The opiate of the people.&#34;&#10;D)&#34;The key to the ultimate truth about life.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Karl Marx influentially defined religion as:&#10;A)&#34;The daughter...

Question 12

Which of the following is an effect of secularism?&#10;A)the widespread illiteracy about religion in North America&#10;B)the decrease in atheistic views&#10;C)the growing popularity of private religions&#10;D)a decrease in the number of existing religions in North America

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an effect...

Question 13

How many North Americans regularly participate in religious practices?&#10;A)about one quarter&#10;B)about one third&#10;C)about one half&#10;D)about two thirds

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many North Americans regularly participate in...

Question 14

The cognitive dimension of religion involves:&#10;A)the use of religious principles to understand evolution and tackle the questions posed by the progress made by science.&#10;B)the development of a systematized method for studying religion.&#10;C)the aspects of a religious system that teaches its adherents what they need to know about their world and their traditions.&#10;D)the level of study needed to become a priest or minister.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The cognitive dimension of religion involves:&#10;A)the use...

Question 15

Which of the following is a reason why some scholars of religion doubt that &#34;private religion&#34; is really religion at all?&#10;A)It is so personal that scholars can't know about it accurately.&#10;B)It is not oriented to a community's religious practice.&#10;C)It is based primarily on feeling, not teachings.&#10;D)It is not based on ideas of the sacred.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a reason...

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a private religion?&#10;A)the practices of an individual congregation&#10;B)the belief that the government should not interfere with the religious beliefs and practices of people&#10;C)a pattern of belief held by only one person&#10;D)a congregation that purchases its own property for building a church

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 17

With what question does understanding your own personal preunderstanding of religion begin?&#10;A)Can I be humble and provisional in my conclusions about religion?&#10;B)Can I study other religions without feeling threatened in my own?&#10;C)Can I encounter religious practices that seem unusual to me without getting too upset?&#10;D)Do I have an unprejudiced view of what religion in general is?

Accepted Answer

The answer of With what question does understanding your own...

Question 18

Xena considers her religion superior to other religions.Her attitude has been molded by the beliefs of her parents.Xena's attitude best reflects:&#10;A)her belief in a private religion.&#10;B)her negative views toward monotheism.&#10;C)her pluralist views of religion.&#10;D)her preunderstanding of her religion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Xena considers her religion superior to other...

Question 19

The cognitive dimension of religion primarily entails:&#10;A)analyzing, systematizing, and passing along knowledge.&#10;B)emphasizing the sensory element of religion.&#10;C)memorizing passages of sacred texts to recite during rituals.&#10;D)refraining from violence to achieve enlightenment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The cognitive dimension of religion primarily entails:&#10;A)analyzing,...

Question 20

How do most people in the Western world typically define religion?&#10;A)Religion is a system of morality.&#10;B)Religion is a way to feel about the world.&#10;C)Religion is a way to get to heaven.&#10;D)Religion is belief in God and obedience to God.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do most people in the Western...

Question 21

What is an example of a new religious movement?&#10;A)Civil rights movement&#10;B)Expressionist movement&#10;C)Anti-Apartheid movement&#10;D)Scientology movement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is an example of a new...

Question 22

Why does the emotional dimension of religion loom large in the Western world today?&#10;A)It has been studied less than the other dimensions.&#10;B)Religion is for many Western people the most important thing about religion.&#10;C)Emotion goes deeper into individual human life than the other dimensions of religion.&#10;D)Emotion is easier to understand for most people than the other dimensions of religion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does the emotional dimension of religion...

Question 23

What was the name of the movement for women's equality, which came to full bloom in the United States in the 1970s?&#10;A)The Women's Suffrage movement&#10;B)The New Thought movement&#10;C)Spirituality&#10;D)Feminism

Accepted Answer

The answer of What was the name of the movement...

Question 24

Identify a true statement about women's studies.&#10;A)It studies the social pressures on both genders but focuses on women.&#10;B)It came into full bloom in the United States in the 1940s.&#10;C)It is based solely on a prescriptive aspect aimed at giving advice to women.&#10;D)It is flourishing in Europe but is not yet strong in North America.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify a true statement about women's studies.&#10;A)It...

Question 25

The study of the past using careful scholarly methods such as archaeology is a part of what method?&#10;A)historical-critical method&#10;B)empirical method&#10;C)quantitative method&#10;D)neoclassical approach

Accepted Answer

The answer of The study of the past using careful...

Question 26

Identify a true statement about religious violence.&#10;A)Religious violence often tends to place differing emphases on the symbolic aspects of violence.&#10;B)Religious violence committed by groups must be analyzed in isolation without any cultural context.&#10;C)Religiously motivated violence includes only those events in which a follower of a religion is the perpetrator.&#10;D)Religious violence is a relatively new phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify a true statement about religious violence.&#10;A)Religious...

Question 27

The history of religions school began in which country in the nineteenth century?&#10;A)Germany&#10;B)Austria&#10;C)America&#10;D)England

Accepted Answer

The answer of The history of religions school began in...

Question 28

Which of the following is a reason for the waning presence of the new religious movements?&#10;A)increasing minority groups in North American society&#10;B)increasing number of monotheists&#10;C)decreasing number of atheists&#10;D)increasing secularization in North American society

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a reason...

Question 29

What methodology is most likely to involve the study of religious texts in their original languages?&#10;A)psychology&#10;B)the historical-critical method&#10;C)bibliology&#10;D)the traditional method

Accepted Answer

The answer of What methodology is most likely to involve...

Question 30

Which of the following goes beyond toleration and typically attempts to deal with religious differences constructively.&#10;A)monotheism&#10;B)religious pluralism&#10;C)religious fanaticism&#10;D)atheism

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following goes beyond toleration...

Question 31

Religiously motivated violence includes:&#10;A)only those events in which a follower of a religion is the perpetrator of a violent attack.&#10;B)events in which a follower of a religion is the recipient of violent behavior.&#10;C)events in which people reject religion totally.&#10;D)only those events in which people choose one religion over another.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Religiously motivated violence includes:&#10;A)only those events in...

Question 32

Which academic discipline studies the process of a religion's beginnings, growth, diversity, decline, and so on?&#10;A)Psychology&#10;B)History&#10;C)Biology&#10;D)Archaeology

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which academic discipline studies the process of...

Question 33

William James maintained that the primary focus of the psychology of religion and of religion itself should be:&#10;A)history of religious studies.&#10;B)social role of religion.&#10;C)religious experience of individuals.&#10;D)importance of religious institutions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of William James maintained that the primary focus...

Question 34

Which of the following is most likely to facilitate religious pluralism?&#10;A)cultural ethnocentrism&#10;B)monotheism&#10;C)religious belief&#10;D)interfaith dialogue

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is most likely...

Question 35

The term &#34;civil religion&#34; is best defined as:&#10;A)a personal belief system in which individuals choose whom to worship and also set the rules themselves without relying on the rules of organized religions.&#10;B)a religious system that employs a democratic system for establishing leadership.&#10;C)the system of religion that is dictated by the state.&#10;D)the popular, dominant religion of a nation or culture that typically involves some religious conviction about that nation or culture.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term &#34;civil religion&#34; is best defined...

Question 36

Elaborate wedding ceremonies performed by priests best exemplify which dimension of religion?&#10;A)aesthetic&#10;B)ritual&#10;C)ethical&#10;D)cognitive

Accepted Answer

The answer of Elaborate wedding ceremonies performed by priests best...

Question 37

According to which of the following is the current ecological crisis can be connected to religion through cultural values?&#10;A)Lisa Kuly&#10;B)Seyyed Nasr&#10;C)Dean Hamer&#10;D)Edward O.Wilson

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to which of the following is...

Question 38

_________ are important in almost all religions because religions seek to correct what they perceive to be wrong in the world.&#10;A)Ethics&#10;B)Myths&#10;C)Rituals&#10;D)Aesthetics

Accepted Answer

The answer of _________ are important in almost all religions...

Question 39

Religious pluralism owes a great deal to the American and European experience of:&#10;A)cultural ethnocentrism.&#10;B)monotheism.&#10;C)atheism.&#10;D)religious diversity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Religious pluralism owes a great deal to...

Question 40

What dimension of religion includes formal and informal prayer, sacrifice, chanting of scriptures, public processions, and even travel for religious purpose?&#10;A)aesthetic&#10;B)ritual&#10;C)ethical&#10;D)cognitive

Accepted Answer

The answer of What dimension of religion includes formal and...

Question 41

Religious violence includes indirect means such as inducing famine.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Religious violence includes indirect means such as...

Question 42

Our English word &#34;religion&#34; is derived from the Latin word &#34;religio.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Our English word &#34;religion&#34; is derived from...

Question 43

One's preunderstanding of religion remains static throughout life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One's preunderstanding of religion remains static throughout...

Question 44

The term secularism means life without religion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term secularism means life without religion....

Question 45

Can religion be considered a pattern of beliefs and practices?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Can religion be considered a pattern of...

Question 46

If Americans are &#34;deeply religious people,&#34; what does religious studies scholar Stephen Prothero mean when he claims that many Americans are also &#34;religious illiterates&#34;?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If Americans are &#34;deeply religious people,&#34; what...

Question 47

What is the term describing new religious movements (NRMs) that is now seen as derogatory?&#10;A)myth&#10;B)ritual&#10;C)sect&#10;D)cult

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the term describing new religious...

Question 48

Feminist scholars of religion have pointed to religion as one explanation of the nearly worldwide subordination of women to men.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Feminist scholars of religion have pointed to...

Question 49

All religions view the world as significant and would view the loss of a viable home for humanity as a tragedy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All religions view the world as significant...

Question 50

The study of theology is a Christian endeavor, and is not found in other religions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The study of theology is a Christian...

Question 51

According to Seyyed Nasr, the environmental crisis is fundamentally a crisis of:&#10;A)myths.&#10;B)values.&#10;C)rituals.&#10;D)opinions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Seyyed Nasr, the environmental crisis...

Question 52

An indication of the widespread acceptance of the secularization hypothesis is that the study of religion is not found in Chinese universities.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An indication of the widespread acceptance of...

Question 53

&#201;mile Durkheim, a French sociologist of religion, theorized that secularism would eventually fade away in Europe.

Accepted Answer

The answer of &#201;mile Durkheim, a French sociologist of religion,...

Question 54

The leading scholar into the value of meditation for human health is:&#10;A)Andrew Williams.&#10;B)William James.&#10;C)Carl Jung.&#10;D)Andrew Newberg.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The leading scholar into the value of...

Question 55

What religion arose in the nineteenth century from Shi'a Islam and sees itself as the successor of Islam?&#10;A)Daoism&#10;B)Scientology&#10;C)Baha'i&#10;D)Falun Gong

Accepted Answer

The answer of What religion arose in the nineteenth century...

Question 56

What term describes the idea that one cannot be sure if God or gods exist?&#10;A)agnosticism&#10;B)atheism&#10;C)absolutism&#10;D)multitheism

Accepted Answer

The answer of What term describes the idea that one...

Question 57

The number of people in North America who formally adhere to no religion at all is holding steady.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The number of people in North America...

Question 58

People who make sharp public attacks on religion are referred to as:&#10;A)New Agnosticists&#10;B)New Atheists&#10;C)New Monotheists&#10;D)New Multitheists

Accepted Answer

The answer of People who make sharp public attacks on...

Question 59

Some Islamic nations follow the religion-based law called Shari'a.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some Islamic nations follow the religion-based law...

Question 60

Agnosticism is the belief that there is no God or gods.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Agnosticism is the belief that there is...

Question 61

What is the difference between atheists and agnostics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between atheists and...

Question 62

Is Western Christianity responsible for the modern environmental crisis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is Western Christianity responsible for the modern...

Question 63

In the context of religion, what is the significance of moral rules?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of religion, what is...

Question 64

How do cultural anthropologists study religions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do cultural anthropologists study religions?...

Deck 1: Beginning Your Study of World Religions