Question 1

According to the text, which U.S. region or state has the highest sect membership per population?

Accepted Answer

Tennessee is known for having a high sect membership per population, particularly due to the presence of various religious groups and denominations.

Question 2

The statement "Religion serves different purposes for people based on their positions in society" is a tenet of which perspective?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective emphasizes how different social classes and groups within society have varying degrees of power and access to resources, and thus, experience and interact with institutions like religion in different ways. This perspective suggests that religion can serve to maintain inequalities or provide a means of resistance depending on one's position in society.

Question 3

Timothy is conducting a qualitative study on the ways that particular religious practices bring families emotionally closer to one another. Timothy is most likely using a _____________ perspective.

Accepted Answer

Functionalist perspective focuses on how social institutions, such as religion, contribute to the stability and functioning of society. In this case, Timothy is studying how religious practices bring families emotionally closer, which is a function that contributes to the stability of families and society as a whole.

Question 4

Ana's religious group revolves around Terrance, a man who says God told him to start a church and help the members live by a certain set of principles. Ana's religious group is most likely a(n):

Accepted Answer

Ana's religious group seems to fit the characteristics of a new religious movement (NRM), which is typically a small, independent group that is distinct from established religious traditions. NRMs are often founded by charismatic leaders and have a unique set of beliefs and practices. In this case, Terrance is the founder and leader of the group, and it revolves around his teachings and principles.

Question 5

The Heaven's Gate group discussed in the text is an example of a(n):

Accepted Answer

The Heaven's Gate group is a classic example of a new religious movement, or NRM, which is a term used to describe any religious group that has emerged since the 19th century and has a relatively small number of followers. While it may exhibit some characteristics of a sect or cult, such as an emphasis on charismatic leadership and spiritual experiences, it differs from these groups in that it emphasizes synthesis rather than separatism, innovativeness rather than tradition, and rationality rather than emotionalism.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about women and religion is false?

Accepted Answer

Most Christian denominations do not have official guidelines against gender discrimination, and many have historically restricted women from holding certain religious leadership roles.

Question 7

Everyone who lives in country X is considered to be Buddhist. The religion in country X is a(n):

Accepted Answer

An ecclesia is a religious group that is considered the official or state religion and includes all members of the society, which fits the description of the religion in country X.

Question 8

Gallup polls indicate self-reports of religious service attendance has been _____________ in the U.S. for more than 70 years.

Accepted Answer

Gallup polls have shown that self-reports of religious service attendance in the U.S. have remained fairly steady over the past 70 years, despite some fluctuations.

Question 9

The sacred realm helps "naturalize" class systems, making them somewhat unquestionable.

Accepted Answer

The sacred realm often plays a role in legitimizing social hierarchies, including class systems. By imbuing them with divine or supernatural significance, class divisions may be seen as natural and unquestionable, rather than socially constructed.

Question 10

Which of the following, if true, would provide evidence against the link between Protestantism and the capitalist economic system?

Accepted Answer

The belief in group salvation is not directly linked to the capitalist economic system and does not provide evidence for the connection between Protestantism and capitalism. The other options (A, C, D) all support the idea that Protestantism is linked to capitalism through values such as hard work, entrepreneurship, and individual responsibility.

Question 11

A religious group that forms in protest against its parent religion is known as a(n):

Accepted Answer

A sect is a religious group that forms in protest against its parent religion. An ecclesia is an official state religion, a denomination is a mainstream religion that has a distinct identity but is still part of the larger religious tradition, and a cult is a religious group that is often characterized by extreme devotion to a charismatic leader and controversial beliefs or practices.

Question 12

Which of the following is true about secularization?

Accepted Answer

While there is a trend toward secularization across societies, religion still plays an important role in many aspects of life for most people. Secularization is not complete on a global level, as there are still many countries and regions where religion remains a central part of culture and society. Therefore, option A and D are incorrect. Option B is also incorrect because the degree and extent of secularization can vary greatly between different levels of analysis.

Question 13

Which of the following do functionalists not view as a social function of religion?

Accepted Answer

Functionalists do not view religion as a means to distract individuals from their own status in life. This type of function is more commonly attributed to Marxist perspectives on religion. The other choices listed (social cohesion, "blessing" social values and norms, maintaining or changing the status quo) are all social functions that functionalists typically attribute to religion.

Question 14

Tia is studying the different meanings that religion serves for African-American and white women. She is most likely using a ___________ perspective.

Accepted Answer

Tia's focus on understanding the meanings that religion holds for different groups of women implies a concern with how individuals interpret and assign significance to religious symbols and practices. This aligns with the symbolic interactionist perspective, which is interested in understanding how people construct meaning through social interaction and communication. The functionalist perspective, by contrast, would emphasize the ways in which religion contributes to social stability and cohesion, and might not attend as closely to individual meanings and interpretations. The rational choice perspective, similar to the functionalist perspective, tends to focus on how individuals make decisions based on their perceived costs and benefits, which may not be as relevant to Tia's aims. Finally, the conflict perspective is more concerned with how social inequality and power struggles shape social processes than with the meanings that individuals assign to religion.

Question 15

Brian goes to Mass but does not really believe in Catholic dogma. He goes to hang out with his friends, discuss his troubles with the priest, and participate in the weekly bingo night. To Brian, the church is a belonging system.

Accepted Answer

Brian's reasons for going to church are social and recreational, making it a belonging system for him. This does not necessarily involve a belief in the theological doctrines of Catholicism.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about religion in North America is true?

Accepted Answer

The number of Protestants in the United States has declined over the past three decades, reflecting broader trends of religious disaffiliation and the rise of the religiously unaffiliated.

Question 17

The statement "Religion helps individuals feel a sense of belonging and unity with others" most closely reflects:

Accepted Answer

This statement is most closely aligned with the functionalist theory, which sees religion as serving a beneficial purpose in society by promoting social cohesion and providing individuals with a sense of belonging and shared values.

Question 18

Institutionalization is not necessary for a religion to survive past the death of a charismatic leader.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Institutionalization is not necessary for a religion...

Question 19

Groups that believe that there can be more than one path to truth are known as:

Accepted Answer

Liberal theologians believe that truth can be found in multiple paths and that no one path is the exclusive source of truth. Atheists typically reject the idea of any religious or spiritual truths, while agnostics believe that the existence of any ultimate truth is uncertain. Fundamentalist groups typically hold to the belief that there is only one true path to truth, which is typically their own specific religious beliefs.

Question 20

The meaning system of a religion includes its ideas and symbols.

Accepted Answer

The meaning system of a religion encompasses its beliefs and concepts, as well as the symbols, rituals, and practices that give them expression and significance.

Quiz 12: Religion: the Social Meaning of Sacred Meaning