Question 1

Which statement accurately depicts the representation of women in the ministry in Canada?

Accepted Answer

The United and Anglican churches in Canada have a significant number of female clergy, reflecting a trend towards increasing representation of women in ministry roles.

Question 2

Which term is used by some sociologists to refer to cults?

Accepted Answer

Some sociologists use the term "new religious movements" as a more neutral or descriptive term to refer to cults, rather than using more pejorative terms like "sect" or "cult."

Question 3

According to a feminist perspective,what is important to women concerning religion?

Accepted Answer

From a feminist perspective, it is important to promote gender inclusiveness and women's presence in significant roles in religious institutions. This means breaking down patriarchal structures and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to lead and participate in religious practices. While determining discrimination and penalizing wrongdoings are also important, they are not the primary concern from a feminist perspective. Alternative belief systems may be desired by some women, but this is not the central focus of feminist analysis of religion.

Question 4

How does a conflict perspective explain the role of religion in reinforcing existing social arrangements?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective argues that religion reinforces existing social arrangements by teaching that individuals who work hard and live a moral life will be rewarded in another life. This justifies the current social hierarchy and the unequal distribution of wealth and power. Religion also often teaches obedience and submission to authority, further reinforcing the existing social order. Choices A, B, and D do not exemplify this perspective.

Question 5

According to the text,which of the following is true of religious terrorism?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "all the world's major religious traditions have been linked with terrorism," indicating that religious terrorism is not limited to a few faiths, and it includes major religious movements rather than only minor ones. However, the text does not state that most mass genocides were committed in the name of religion, so option A is incorrect.

Question 6

Talisha wears a star around her neck,a special gift from her mother.What is the significance of this,according to a symbolic interactionist perspective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talisha wears a star around her neck,a...

Question 7

Which of the following research questions would a symbolic interactionist pose?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on how individuals construct meaning through social interaction. Therefore, a symbolic interactionist would be interested in exploring the meaning of religion in people's everyday lives.

Question 8

What do proponents of the secularization perspective argue?

Accepted Answer

Proponents of the secularization perspective argue that as society modernizes and becomes more science-based, there will be a decrease in the influence and importance of organized religion. They believe that this is due to a shift towards a more rational and empirical approach to understanding the world, which replaces faith-based explanations. Therefore, the link between modernization and secularization is a key argument of the secularization perspective.

Question 9

What is one of the most important debates within the sociology of religion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is one of the most important...

Question 10

Which term refers to a relatively small religious group that has broken away from another religious organization to affirm what it views as the original version of the faith?

Accepted Answer

A sect is a group that has broken away from a larger religious organization in order to affirm what they view as the original version of the faith. They typically have a smaller following than the larger organization they broke away from.

Question 11

What method did Lofland and Stark use to examine why people converted to nontraditional religious movements?

Accepted Answer

Lofland and Stark used participant observation to examine why people converted to nontraditional religious movements. They observed and participated in the everyday lives of the members of these movements to better understand their motivations and experiences.

Question 12

The Annual Fall dinner in rural Manitoba is prepared and served by women from the local church.These are the same women who sit in the pews while the male ushers serve Holy Communion.Which of the following feminist ideas does this case exemplify?

Accepted Answer

This case exemplifies the idea of "his religion and her religion," highlighting the gender roles and divisions within religious practices, where women are involved in supportive roles while men take on more visible, authoritative roles.

Question 13

Roman Catholicism in Canada,Judaism in Israel,and Hinduism in India would best be referred to as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

These religions are considered "churches" in their respective countries as they are the dominant, established religious institutions with a large following.

Question 14

Bonnie believes that she has been chosen to be "saved." As such,Bonnie speaks her mind,acts without fear of the consequences,and does not consider how her behaviour affects others.She is an example of which of the following doctrines?

Accepted Answer

Bonnie's belief that she has been chosen to be "saved" is a characteristic of the doctrine of predestination, which suggests that certain individuals are predestined by God to be saved, while others are not. This belief may lead Bonnie to act without fear of the consequences and without considering how her behavior affects others, as she believes that her salvation is secure regardless of her actions.

Question 15

According to Lofland and Stark's theory of conversion,which of the following would be most likely to join a nontraditional religious movement?

Accepted Answer

Lofland and Stark's theory of conversion suggests that individuals who are experiencing a period of tension or dissatisfaction in their life are more likely to join nontraditional religious movements. A gay teen who may feel isolated or rejected by their community may be experiencing such tension and therefore may be more likely to seek out a new religious community that is more accepting of their identity. The fact that they are young and still developing their sense of self may also make them more open to exploring new belief systems. The other choices do not necessarily fit the criteria of experiencing tension or dissatisfaction.

Question 16

Which type of religious organization most closely embodies what Weber meant by the term bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Weber uses the term bureaucracy to refer to a rational and efficient organizational structure that is characterized by a hierarchy of roles with clearly defined tasks and rules governing the interaction between those roles. Churches often have a highly bureaucratic structure, with a clear hierarchy of authority and specialization of tasks.

Question 17

How would you characterize a Christian cross,if you were to use a symbolic interactionist perspective?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism emphasizes the importance of symbols in shaping people's identities and behaviors. From this perspective, the Christian cross can be seen as a powerful symbol that helps believers connect with each other and express their beliefs. It is not necessarily seen as a tool of oppression or a meaningless object.

Question 18

Alex works hard doing painstaking work on his farm.He is surprised to find that the younger workers he has hired to assist him do not share this value of hard work.Alex exemplifies which of the following ideas?

Accepted Answer

The Protestant ethic refers to the value placed on hard work, discipline, and frugality, which Alex exemplifies through his dedication to his farm work.

Question 19

How do Calvinist religious teachings characterize wealth?

Accepted Answer

Calvinist teachings view wealth as an unintended consequence of religious piety and hard work. They believe that God predestines certain individuals for salvation and material success, and that worldly success should not be the ultimate goal of life. However, they also believe that hard work and a disciplined, thrifty lifestyle are signs of piety and may lead to material success.

Question 20

Based on conflict theory,what does the Hindu belief in reincarnation illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Conflicts theorists view religion as one of the societal institutions that reinforce the existing stratification system; the Hindu belief in reincarnation reinforces the caste system because it suggests that one's current life circumstances and caste are the result of their actions in a past life.

Quiz 15: Religion