Question 1

During the doubting stages of their lives, atheists were affected by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the doubting stages of their lives,...

Question 2

In the case of Muslim Americans after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, how did their lives change? What was their relationship with their religion before the attacks and how, if at all, did they relate to their religion differently after the attacks? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the case of Muslim Americans after...

Question 3

One way in which the East St. Louis school system saves money is by

Accepted Answer

By laying off teachers and hiring permanent substitutes, the East St. Louis school system can save money on salary and benefits expenses. However, this can have negative consequences for the quality of education and the students' academic performance.

Question 4

Identify the three phases of religious identity formation that Peek discussed for Muslim Americans after 9/11? Describe the transformation that Muslim college students experienced during the years directly following the attacks. Why do you think many of them went through these changes?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the three phases of religious identity...

Question 5

From reading this article, which of the following would best describe being atheist in American today?

Accepted Answer

Atheism in America is still a highly controversial identity, and individuals who identify as atheists often experience a significant amount of stigma, indicating that it is not fully accepted by all segments of society.

Question 6

How do you relate to your religion? Is religion an important part of your life or do you mostly ignore this social institution? Why do you think that religion has been so pervasive throughout history?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do you relate to your religion?...

Question 7

Among atheists, their questioning of religion usually began at what period in their lives?

Accepted Answer

According to the passage, atheists usually begin questioning religion during their college years when they encounter new points of view that challenge what they had been taught as children. The other options do not align with the information provided in the passage.

Question 8

When atheists first began to tell significant others about their new identity, this experience can best be described in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

The passage states that the experience can best be described as "liberating" and that it tended to produce greater confidence and a greater stake in the new identity, indicating a positive experience. Choice A is incorrect as the passage does not mention that this was generally the case for most atheists. Choice B is incorrect as the passage also does not mention that this was generally the case for most atheists, and the word "nonchalant" implies a lack of interest or concern, rather than a negative reaction. Choice D is incorrect as the passage does not suggest that all three ways described were seen as examples of how atheists came out, but rather offers one specific way as the best description.

Question 9

In the United States, according to Smith, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

According to Smith, over 80% of the people in the United States claim a religious identity, over 90% believe in God, and about 2% call themselves atheists.

Question 10

A the same time that the United States is experiencing a slight decrease in participation in organized religion,

Accepted Answer

Despite a slight decrease in participation in organized religion, almost all Americans still express belief in God, indicating that belief in God has not wavered. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not provide information to support this claim. Option C is also incorrect - the passage neither mentions nor implies such a trend. Option D is false since the passage states that there is a correlation between participation in organized religion and belief in God.

Question 11

Among atheists,

Accepted Answer

The answer of Among atheists,
...

Question 12

Generally speaking, among atheists, as their beliefs in religion and God waned,

Accepted Answer

As atheists' beliefs in religion and God waned, they tended to reject anything supernatural and embrace scientific thinking. They did not turn to other supernatural beings or religious beliefs before giving up on religion altogether, nor did they necessarily feel guilty about their lack of belief.

Question 13

Religion remains a powerful institution in America. Why do you think such a large majority of Americans continue to practice religion and believe in God? Do you think religion is as central to American ideals as it was 100 years ago? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Religion remains a powerful institution in America....

Question 14

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, East St. Louis, Illinois, can be described as

Accepted Answer

This is the only choice that matches the description given in the report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The report specifically labels East St. Louis as the most distressed small city in the United States.

Question 15

Smith claims that there is a growing number of Americans who claim "no religious affiliation" at all. He posits that one reason for this is that

Accepted Answer

Smith argues that the political divide between the religious right and the religious liberal has caused the latter group to distance themselves from organized religion. He states that the religious right's assertion of political power has made those who disagree with their ideology feel like outsiders in their own religious communities, leading them to seek alternative ways of expressing their spirituality or disaffiliate from religion altogether.

Question 16

In East St. Louis, schools have been evacuated because of which of the following problem?

Accepted Answer

Raw sewage flowing onto the floors has caused schools in East St. Louis to be evacuated.

Question 17

Despite the ubiquity of religion in American society, some pundits worry that this institution is waning in importance as compared to a couple of generations ago. Given what you know, do you think this is a trend that will gain strength? What do people get from their religions, and why do some people decide that being part of a religious group is not for them? What implications does a decline in religion have for the stability of society, if any at all?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Despite the ubiquity of religion in American...

Question 18

Smith compares telling others about their atheist identity to which of the following groups?

Accepted Answer

Smith compares telling others about their atheist identity to coming out as gay, as both involve revealing a personal aspect of oneself that may be stigmatized or met with disapproval by others.

Question 19

Describe the stages an atheist goes through as he or she adopts the atheist identity. Make sure you discuss the transitions that must occur, the difficulties they encounter, and how they come to terms with this label in the eyes of others.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the stages an atheist goes through...

Question 20

Due to the pollution and other environmental problems in East. St. Louis, the children of this city have one of the highest rates of which of the following diseases?

Accepted Answer

Due to pollution and environmental problems, the children of East St. Louis have one of the highest rates of asthma.

Quiz 1: Sociological Odyssey: Contemporary Readings in Introductory Sociology