Question 1

The Islamic notion of jihad,meaning "struggle," is a core belief.The Greater Jihad is believed to be the internal struggle against sin within a person's heart,whereas the Lesser Jihad is the external struggle that takes place in the world,including violence and war.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the Islamic notion of jihad, with the Greater Jihad referring to the internal spiritual struggle and the Lesser Jihad referring to external physical struggle, which may include legitimate defensive warfare but is not limited to it.

Question 2

Mahayana Hinduism is centered in Japan,China,and Korea and primarily focuses on meditation and the Four Noble Truths.One of the Four Noble Truths professes that overcoming desire can be accomplished through the Eightfold Path to Nirvana-this path is a way of living that avoids extremes of indulgence.

Accepted Answer

Mahayana is actually a form of Buddhism, not Hinduism. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are central teachings in Buddhism.

Question 3

According to sociologist Max Weber and the Protestant ethic,those who have faith,perform good works,and achieve economic success are more likely to be among the chosen of God.As a result,people work hard,save their money,and do not spend it on worldly frivolity.

Accepted Answer

According to Max Weber's Protestant ethic, individuals who have faith, perform good works, and achieve economic success are more likely to be among the chosen of God. This ideology encourages people to work hard, save their money, and avoid spending it on worldly frivolities.

Question 4

In postindustrial societies,religion often takes the form of animism,which is the belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives either positively or negatively.

Accepted Answer

In postindustrial societies, religion often takes various forms such as secularism, spirituality, or individualized belief systems, but not necessarily animism. Animism is more associated with traditional societies or indigenous cultures.

Question 5

The Qur'an,also known as the Pentateuch,is the sacred book of contemporary Judaism.The Jewish people believe that they have a unique relationship with God.Judaism has three key components: God (the deity),Qur'an (God's teachings),and Israel (the community or holy nation).

Accepted Answer

The Qur'an is the sacred book of Islam, not Judaism. The Pentateuch refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which are also considered sacred texts in Judaism. The three key components of Judaism are God, Torah (which includes the Pentateuch and other Jewish scripture), and Israel.

Question 6

Horticultural societies were among the first to practice monotheism,a belief in a single,supreme being or god who is responsible for significant events such as the creation of the world.Three of the major world religions-Christianity,Judaism,and Islam-are monotheistic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Horticultural societies were among the first to...

Question 7

According to Christian beliefs,the Supreme Being is a sacred trinity
consisting of God the Father,Jesus the Son,and the Holy Spirit.

Accepted Answer

According to Christian beliefs, the Supreme Being is indeed a sacred trinity consisting of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This belief is fundamental to Christian theology and is expressed in the Nicene Creed.

Question 8

According to Emile Durkheim,all religions share three elements: (1) membership that includes radical elements, (2) a disbelief in the legitimacy of other competing religions,and (3) religious leaders who attempt to dupe the congregation.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not accurate. Durkheim actually argued that all religions share three elements: beliefs, practices, and sacred objects.

Question 9

Polarization is the process by which religious beliefs,practices,and institutions lose their significance in sectors of society and culture.It involves a decline of religion in everyday life and a corresponding increase in organizations that are highly bureaucratized,fragmented,and impersonal.

Accepted Answer

This definition describes secularization, not polarization. Polarization refers to the process of dividing or separating into two opposing groups or factions with different beliefs and values.

Question 10

Conflict theorists focus their attention on a microlevel analysis that examines the meanings people give to religion in their everyday lives.For many people,religion serves as a reference group to help them define themselves.For example,religious symbols have meaning for large bodies of people (such as the cross holds special meaning for Christians).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Conflict theorists focus their attention on a...

Question 11

Civil religion is not tied to any one denomination or religious group; it has an identity all its own.The U.S.flag is the primary sacred object of our civil religion.

Accepted Answer

Civil religion in the United States is not tied to any one particular religious group, and the US flag is often viewed as the primary sacred object that represents the country's values and identity.

Question 12

Since Hinduism has no scriptures that are thought to be inspired by a god or gods and is not based on the teachings of any one person,religion scholars refer to it as an ethical religion-a system of beliefs that calls upon adherents to follow an ideal way of life.

Accepted Answer

Hinduism is considered an ethical religion as it does not have a single authoritative text or founder. Hindus are instead encouraged to follow dharma, which is a moral and ethical code of conduct.

Question 13

A sect is a loosely organized religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of a society.Sect leadership is based on charismatic characteristics of the individual leader,including an unusual ability to communicate and to form attachments with other people.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A sect is a loosely organized religious...

Question 14

According to sociologist Emile Durkheim,sacred refers to those aspects of life that are extraordinary or supernatural (those things that are set apart as "holy").People feel a sense of awe,reverence,deep respect,or fear of that which is considered sacred.

Accepted Answer

This is an accurate description of Durkheim's concept of the sacred.

Question 15

Whereas Judaism is basically an inherited religion and most adherents are born into the community,Christianity has cosmopolitan criteria for membership,meaning that it does not have ethnic or tribal qualifications based on acceptance of a set of beliefs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Whereas Judaism is basically an inherited religion...

Question 16

Religion in the United States is very diverse.Pluralism and religious freedom are among the cultural values most widely espoused,and no state church or single denomination predominates.Protestants constitute the largest religious body in the United States,followed by Roman Catholics.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the diversity of religion in the United States, and the prevalence of Protestantism and Catholicism as the two largest religious groups.

Question 17

From a functionalist perspective,religion has three important functions in any society: providing meaning and purpose to life,promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging,and providing social control and support for the government.

Accepted Answer

According to functionalist perspective, religion has three important functions in any society: providing meaning and purpose to life, promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging, and providing social control and support for the government.

Question 18

From a functionalist perspective,religion tends to promote strife between groups and societies.For example,the new religious right in the United States has incorporated both the priestly and prophetic functions into its agenda.While calling for moral reform,it also calls the nation back to a covenant with God.

Accepted Answer

From a functionalist perspective, religion is seen as promoting social integration and cohesion, not strife. The example provided may be seen as an exception or deviation from the norm.

Question 19

An ecclesia is a religious organization that is so integrated into the dominant culture that it claims as its membership all members of a society.Membership in the ecclesia occurs as a result of being born into the society,rather than by any conscious decision on the part of the individual member.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately defines an ecclesia as a religious organization that is deeply embedded in the culture and claims all members of the society as its members from birth.

Question 20

Confucianism is based on the belief that Heaven and Earth are not separate places,but rather a continuum in which both realms are constantly in touch with each other.According to this approach,those who inhabit Heaven are ruled over by a supreme ancestor and are the ancestors of those persons who are on Earth.

Accepted Answer

Confucianism does espouse the belief of a continuum between Heaven and Earth, with a supreme ancestor ruling over those in Heaven who are also the ancestors of people on Earth.

Quiz 17: Religion