Deck 13: B: Religion

Question 1

In your opinion,why is fundamentalism becoming more popular in modern society? Do you agree more with the fundamentalist view or the functionalist view of social change and why?

Answer 1

Answers will vary by student but should include some discussion of the following: Fundamentalists are focused on upholding traditions and maintaining the "true faith" as a defensive reaction to a perceived threat-for example,the moral breakdown of contemporary society.
Fundamentalists do not accept the functionalist view that adaptation is necessary in order to maintain religious integrity;instead,they suggest that accepting change is a compromise that ultimately leads to the surrender of their religious integrity.

Question 2

According to Weber,how does a new religious movement become a sect? Give an example.

Answer 2

A sect usually emerges after the death of the founding member of a new religious movement.Weber described this process as the "routinization of charisma," in that the leadership becomes routine and part of the belief system that transcends the lives of any of the leaders.Joining a sect is voluntary and usually follows some form of conversion experience.Sects are often formed after a group breaks away from a larger religious group (a church)because the dissidents believe that the parent organization does not practise or believe in the true religion as it was originally conceived.
Examples will vary by student.

Question 3

Explain how Hinduism differs from Christianity and Islam and its relation to the search for truth.

Answer 3

Hinduism differs from Christianity and Islam in that it does not have a single founder,a specific theological system,a single system of morality,or a centralized bureaucratic structure.The Hindu tradition encourages believers to seek spiritual and moral truth wherever it may be found;each individual must find truth through his or her own effort.Our individual experiences,our ability to reason,and our engaged discussion with others are the vehicles for testing our understanding of spiritual and moral truths.

Question 4

Discuss the connection between Weber's concept of charisma and new religious movements and give an example.

Question 5

Discuss why Tylor would advocate for an evolutionistic theoretical approach to the development of religious beliefs.

Question 6

What does it mean to say that fundamentalism is more "reactionary" then conservative? Give an example of the difference.

Question 7

What were the conclusions and social significance of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's 1895 book The Woman's Bible?

Question 8

What is the danger of religion,according to Marx,and why does it need to be abolished? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 9

Marx and conflict theorists believe that religion is another institution created by the powerful to keep the masses oppressed.When applied to new religious movements,how does this contrast with a symbolic interactionist point of view?

Question 10

Discuss the four virtues of Confucius and then explain why this belief system thrives in collectivistic societies.

Question 11

According to post-structuralist theory,is society becoming more secular? Support your answer.

Question 12

Compare and contrast Christianity and Sikhism,focusing particularly on their views regarding the afterlife.

Question 13

What is the difference between an "agnostic" and an "atheist"? Which one is more rational in your view and why?

Question 14

Andersen and Francis (2006)discuss three phases that people undergo when converting to a new religion.Name the three phases and discuss two of them.

Question 15

Weber suggested that a religion's orientation could have either an inner-worldly or other-worldly orientation.Explain what he meant by these concepts and give examples of each.