Question 1

The spread of alternative spiritual beliefs and practices has had no observable impact on more mainstream religious groups in the United States.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The statement is false. The spread of alternative spiritual beliefs and practices has had an observable impact on more mainstream religious groups in the United States. For example, some churches have incorporated elements of meditation, yoga, and other practices into their services, and some have even adopted beliefs and practices from Eastern religions. Additionally, some people have left traditional religious groups in favor of alternative spiritual practices.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the typical members of U.S.megachurches?&#10;A)young,low-income African American families with children at home&#10;B)over 60,retired,college-educated white men&#10;C)young,college-educated,white families with children at home&#10;D)young,college-educated African American couples with no children

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the typical members of U.S. megachurches are young, college-educated, white families with children at home. This demographic is attracted to the contemporary worship style and emphasis on family and community at megachurches.

Question 3

In Brenda Brasher's study of online religion,she refers to the way in which anyone with the skill and means to use the Internet can circulate alternative ideas to official religious teachings and can challenge the expertise and authority of religious leaders and professionals in the process as

A)democratic leveling.
B)equality of access.
C)the Disneyland Effect.
D)heresy.

A

Accepted Answer

Democratic leveling refers to the way in which the internet allows for a more egalitarian distribution of knowledge and power, enabling individuals to challenge established authorities and create new communities of belief. This can have a destabilizing effect on traditional religious institutions and their leaders, as individuals are able to circulate alternative ideas and challenge official teachings.

Question 4

In arguing that megachurches are &#34;colonizing&#34; Mainline Protestantism,Ellingson is highlighting the ways&#10;A)megachurches are taking control of Mainline Protestant churches in their local area.&#10;B)Mainline Protestant congregations are being forced out of business by megachurches.&#10;C)missionaries from megachurches try to attract members away from traditional Mainline Protestant congregations.&#10;D)Mainline Protestant congregations feel pressure to adopt contemporary worship or minimize formality in order to look like megachurches.

Accepted Answer

Ellingson argues that megachurches are "colonizing" Mainline Protestantism by exerting pressure on traditional congregations to conform to their contemporary worship style and minimize formality. This pressure can be seen as a form of cultural domination, as megachurches exert their influence on the practices and beliefs of other churches. However, there is no evidence that megachurches are taking control of Mainline Protestant churches or forcing them out of business, as suggested in choices A and B. While missionaries from megachurches may try to attract members away from traditional congregations, this is not the primary focus of Ellingson's argument, making choice C less relevant.

Question 5

Because megachurches are so large,there is really no way for them to create the sense of community among their members that is typically found in smaller congregations.&#10;

Accepted Answer

Megachurches often implement small group ministries, social events, and service projects to foster a sense of community among their members, despite their large size.

Question 6

Religious adaptation can be challenging for all religious groups because they pressure every group to adapt in order to be current.&#10;

Accepted Answer

Religious adaptation is a response to evolving social, technological, and political contexts. It can be challenging for religious groups to balance their deeply held beliefs with the need to remain relevant and to appeal to younger generations who may have different values and priorities. Thus, all religious groups face the pressure to adapt in order to stay current.

Question 7

To be a &#34;megachurch&#34; in sociological terms,a congregation must&#10;A)be a Protestant congregation.&#10;B)have a minimum of 2000 people in attendance on a typical Sunday.&#10;C)be an Evangelical congregation.&#10;D)all of the above&#10;E)A and B only

Accepted Answer

According to the sociological definition of a megachurch, it must have a minimum of 2000 people in attendance on a typical Sunday. Being a Protestant or Evangelical congregation is not a requirement for being classified as a megachurch. Therefore, only options A and C can be eliminated and options B and D can be eliminated as they are not correct, leaving option E as the correct answer.

Question 8

When religions modify their beliefs and practices to reflect and incorporate the broad changes in the societies in which they are located,sociologists refer to this as&#10;A)religious change.&#10;B)cultural innovation.&#10;C)cultural shift.&#10;D)religious adaptation.

Accepted Answer

When religions modify their beliefs and practices to reflect and incorporate the broad changes in the societies in which they are located, it is referred to as religious adaptation. This means that religious traditions are adapting to changes in society, rather than remaining static or immune to change. Religious adaptation is a response to changes in culture and society and is often seen as a necessary part of the ongoing evolution of religious traditions.

Question 9

&#34;Alternative spiritualities&#34; refers to those spiritual beliefs and practices that&#10;A)focus on forms of divination and personal health and wellness.&#10;B)an individual makes up for him or herself,like &#34;Sheilaism.&#34;&#10;C)are the less well-known beliefs and practices of any religion.&#10;D)are incompatible with Christianity.

Accepted Answer

Alternative spiritualities often include practices like divination and emphasize personal health and wellness, which are not typically part of mainstream religious practices.

Question 10

Today,research has documented that most religious groups use the Internet for all of the following except&#10;A)evangelical outreach&#10;B)sales of religious items&#10;C)online chats among members&#10;D)assisting religious singles to find romantic partners.&#10;E)All of the above are reasons religious groups use the Internet.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Today,research has documented that most religious groups...

Question 11

At various points in history,technological change and innovation has been thought to be threatening to religion because&#10;A)technology can free individuals from the direct authority and control of religious leaders.&#10;B)technology makes it possible for people to no longer directly participate in religious services.&#10;C)technology encourages more religious choice.&#10;D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of At various points in history,technological change and...

Question 12

The principle that,in the U.S.and Europe,people are actively interested in all things spiritual but are less likely to claim to be part of one religious denomination or go to one specific church is referred to as

A)religious vitality.
B)"believing,not belonging."
C)moral relativism.
D)the "spiritual but not religious" principle.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The principle that,in the U.S.and Europe,people are...

Question 13

Geographically speaking,which region of the United States has the fewest megachurches?&#10;A)the Northeast&#10;B)the Midwest&#10;C)the South&#10;D)the west coast

Accepted Answer

The answer of Geographically speaking,which region of the United States...

Question 14

Most megachurches use which of the following activities to attract and keep members?&#10;A)online social networking sites&#10;B)small groups&#10;C)designating people to be in charge of hospitality&#10;D)orientation classes for new members&#10;E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most megachurches use which of the following...

Question 15

____________ is one of the key sociological challenges the Internet poses to religion.&#10;A)That there are too many religious ideas &#34;out there&#34; to choose from&#10;B)That people remain alone when they use the Internet for religious purposes&#10;C)That the Internet does not allow the participation in any religious rituals&#10;D)That Internet doesn't allow people to form real-time relationships

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____________ is one of the key sociological...

Question 16

Internet users sometimes begin to take for granted that their simulated experiences online are real experiences.Sociologists call this&#10;A)virtual reality.&#10;B)Avatar reality.&#10;C)the Disneyland Effect.&#10;D)second life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Internet users sometimes begin to take for...

Question 17

Online religion can increase religious vitality in society when&#10;A)it allows individuals to explore multiple kinds of religious beliefs and practices all at once.&#10;B)it allows individuals to structure their religious participation more conveniently around their work and family schedules.&#10;C)it allows for religious interactions to occur 24 hours a day,7 days a week.&#10;D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Online religion can increase religious vitality in...

Question 18

Over time,the percent of Americans that report holding alternative spiritual beliefs such as beliefs in astrology and ESP have been decreasing.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Over time,the percent of Americans that report...

Deck 3: Downloading God, big-Box Churches, and the Crystal Shop Around the Corner