Question 1

Who of the following NOT would be a saint of American civil religion?

Accepted Answer

Mother Teresa, while a globally recognized figure of compassion and charity, was not an American figure and thus would not be considered a part of American civil religion, which typically venerates figures central to American history and identity.

Question 2

The characterization of religion as evolving into a system that is increasingly differentiated and complex comes from

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons and Robert Bellah are sociologists who have characterized religion as evolving into a system that is increasingly differentiated and complex, reflecting broader sociological theories on the evolution of societies and institutions.

Question 3

Civil religion provides important functions

Accepted Answer

Civil religion serves important roles for both the individual and society by offering a shared set of beliefs, values, and practices that help unify a population and provide individuals with a sense of belonging and identity.

Question 4

Which theorist thinks pluralism increases anxiety about the meaning of life?

Accepted Answer

Peter Berger argued that pluralism, by presenting a multitude of worldviews and choices, can increase individual anxiety about the meaning of life, as it challenges traditional certainties and makes the quest for meaning more complex and uncertain.

Question 5

Which of the following would be a sacred text for civil religion in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence is considered a sacred text for civil religion in the United States because it embodies the foundational principles and values upon which the nation was established, such as liberty, equality, and democracy. Civil religion in the U.S. often revolves around reverence for documents and symbols that reflect the country's history and ideals, rather than traditional religious scriptures.

Question 6

Berger believes that secularization leads to

Accepted Answer

Berger posits that secularization can lead to the "marketing" of religion, where religions may modify their doctrines or practices to be more appealing in a competitive "market" of beliefs. This perspective suggests that as societies become more secular, religions adapt in ways similar to businesses seeking to attract consumers.

Question 7

Which of the following would be holy days for civil religion in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are considered civil holidays that have taken on a quasi-religious status in the United States, reflecting national values and commemorating the country's history and heroes, rather than being rooted in a specific religious tradition.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT one of the identified purposes of civil religion?

Accepted Answer

Civil religion is meant to unify a nation and provide a sense of purpose, not to promote secularism. Its role is more about creating a shared identity and values among the citizens, rather than encouraging the expansion of secular beliefs.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of the textbook's conclusions about secularization?

Accepted Answer

The textbook concludes that secularization is a complex and multifaceted process that does not necessarily lead to the disappearance of religion, especially in the Western world. The statement that religion is likely to disappear because of secularization contradicts the nuanced view of secularization presented in most scholarly discussions on the topic.

Question 10

One theoretical approach in sociology suggests that "humans seek what they believe to be rewards and avoid what they believe to be costs.In the course of one's life, however, certain desired rewards are scarce or are not available through empirical means, so supernatural compensators seem an appropriate solution.Therefore religion is not likely to disappear." This perspective is known as

Accepted Answer

This perspective aligns with rational choice theory, which posits that individuals make decisions based on the rational evaluation of the costs and benefits of different actions. In this context, the theory suggests that religion persists because it provides individuals with compensatory benefits for unattainable earthly rewards, making it a rational choice.

Question 11

Which of the following would be a sacred symbol for civil religion in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The American flag is considered a sacred symbol in the context of American civil religion, representing national unity, values, and patriotism.

Question 12

According to Stark and Bainbridge, religious organizations are in the business of distributing

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Stark and Bainbridge, religious organizations...

Question 13

What do Stark and Bainbridge mean when they say that religion is "self-limiting"?

Accepted Answer

Stark and Bainbridge argue that religion persists because it provides "compensators" for things that are currently unobtainable or unknowable through science and empirical methods, addressing needs that these methods cannot, thus making it self-limiting rather than being completely replaced by secularism.

Question 14

Which of the following would be a national shrine?

Accepted Answer

The Lincoln Memorial is a national shrine because it is a monument dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, and serves as a symbol of national unity and respect.

Question 15

Which of the following would be a civil religion ritual?

Accepted Answer

Civil religion rituals are practices that integrate religious and national symbols, like the pledge to the flag, which is a patriotic act with quasi-religious reverence.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT among the evidence that Stark and Bainbridge cite in support of their argument that secularization is self-limiting?

Accepted Answer

Stark and Bainbridge argue that secularization is self-limiting, but they do not cite a significant rise in church attendance for mainline denominations in the last two decades of the twentieth century as evidence. Their argument is more focused on the emergence of new religious movements, the persistence of supernatural beliefs among the non-religiously affiliated, and patterns of religious reaffirmation over generations.

Question 17

Robert Bellah views secularization as

Accepted Answer

Robert Bellah views secularization as religious evolution and development, suggesting that religion becomes more complex and sophisticated over time, rather than simply declining.

Question 18

Which of the following is a dimension of secularization for some neo-secularization theorists?

Accepted Answer

Neo-secularization theorists often emphasize the process of institutional differentiation, where various institutions (like the state, education, and economy) gain autonomy from religious institutions and norms. This is seen as a key dimension of secularization, rather than a complete decline of religion in society.

Question 19

Some scholars contend that secularization has merely resulted in changes in the nature of religion, not in decline.Reflecting back on the distinction between various definitions of religion, which definition would be most likely to conclude that religion will change in nature, but that this change does not mean decline?

Accepted Answer

Functional definitions focus on the role or function that religion plays in society, rather than its beliefs or practices. This perspective allows for the understanding that as societies change, the functions of religion may also change, adapting to new contexts without necessarily declining in importance or influence.

Quiz 13: Secularization: Religion in Decline or in Transformation