Question 1

In what two countries has participation in organized religion faded substantially in the past century and few people participate in religious institutions today?

Accepted Answer

Denmark and Sweden have both experienced a significant decline in religious participation in the past century, with only a small percentage of the population actively participating in religious institutions, making them the best choice. While France and England have seen a decline in religious participation, there are still significant numbers of people who identify with religious institutions. Chile and Mexico have larger percentages of religious participation compared to Denmark and Sweden. The United States and Canada have also seen declines in religious participation, but significant numbers of people still identify with religious institutions.

Question 2

In a survey of 32 countries around the world,which of the following has the greatest degree of skepticism for life after death?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a survey of 32 countries around...

Question 3

When asked the question,"Do you believe in life after death?" the great majority of Americans answered ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When asked the question,"Do you believe in...

Question 4

When 32 countries were surveyed with the question,"Do you believe in life after death?" the results can be summarized as: ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When 32 countries were surveyed with the...

Question 5

During the mourning process,which of the following individuals within the Hindu religion would be first to be the "chief mourner"?

Accepted Answer

In Hinduism, the eldest son or brother is considered the "chief mourner" and is responsible for performing the funeral rites and leading the mourning rituals.

Question 6

You and your neighbor have had several discussions regarding religion and politics.Like you,he was born and raised in the United States.He is very religious and strongly believes that there is life after death.Based on these belief,which of the following is most likely his ethnicity?

Accepted Answer

Latinos are more likely to be religious and believe in life after death than other ethnic groups in the United States.

Question 7

Reincarnation is to ____,as nirvana is to ____.

Accepted Answer

Reincarnation is a central belief in Hinduism, while nirvana is a central concept in Buddhism. In Buddhism, nirvana is the ultimate state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering, while in Hinduism, the ultimate goal is to achieve moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Therefore, option D, Hinduism and Buddhism, is the best choice.

Question 8

According to Buddhism,the release from the cycle of death and rebirth is ____.

Accepted Answer

Buddhism teaches that the goal of spiritual life is to attain nirvana, which is the ultimate release from the cycle of death and rebirth (known as samsara). This is achieved through the elimination of ignorance and attachment, and the cultivation of wisdom and compassion. Nirvana is not a place or state of existence, but rather the cessation of all suffering and the realization of ultimate reality. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer as it reflects the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice. Choices A, C, and D are not accurate as they do not represent the release from samsara as described in Buddhism.

Question 9

Which of the following religions believes in the importance of faith versus works as far as what determines what happens in the afterlife?

Accepted Answer

Christianity is known for the concept of "salvation by faith alone," which means that a person's faith in Jesus Christ is what ultimately determines their fate in the afterlife, rather than their good works or actions. This belief is based on passages from the Bible, such as Ephesians 2:8-9, which states "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

Question 10

You and your neighbor have had several discussions regarding religion and politics.She is not from the United States,but your views on religion,faith,and specifically the afterlife are very similar.You both agree that there is life after death.Based on these beliefs,which of the following is most likely her native country?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You and your neighbor have had several...

Question 11

What percentage of atheists believes in the afterlife?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What percentage of atheists believes in the...

Question 12

What percentage of Americans in the Pew Survey said that they believed in life after death?

Accepted Answer

According to the Pew Survey, 75% of Americans said they believed in life after death.

Question 13

Your brother says that he is an agnostic,that is,that he is not sure if there is a God.Although you have not asked him,how likely is it that he believes in an afterlife? What percentage of agnostics believes in the afterlife?

Accepted Answer

Agnostics, by definition, are unsure about the existence of God and the afterlife. However, studies have shown that around 35% of agnostics do believe in some form of afterlife or higher power. Therefore, it is not that likely that your brother believes in an afterlife, but it is also not impossible.

Question 14

In Buddhism when the soul is released from the cycle of death and rebirth it has reached ____.

Accepted Answer

In Buddhism, the term used to describe the ultimate goal of the spiritual path is Nirvana. It is the state of liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth, where one achieves a complete cessation of suffering and attains a state of perfect peace and happiness. It is not equivalent to paradise, fantasy or heaven, which refer to concepts in other religions and belief systems.

Question 15

Afterlife beliefs in the United States were lowest among what religion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Afterlife beliefs in the United States were...

Question 16

In Hinduism,the mourning rituals are led by the "chief mourner" who is usually the ____.

Accepted Answer

In Hinduism, the mourning rituals are led by the eldest son who is regarded as the "chief mourner." He is responsible for performing the last rites, including leading the funeral procession, lighting the funeral pyre, and performing the final prayers. This role is considered highly significant as it is believed that the son has a sacred duty towards his deceased parents and ancestors. While other family members and priests may assist in the funeral rites, the eldest son is considered the primary mourner.

Question 17

Where do most Hindus die?

Accepted Answer

Most Hindus prefer to die at home, in accordance with their beliefs and traditions that emphasize the importance of dying in a familiar and sacred environment.

Question 18

In what major religion is reincarnation a central aspect of their afterlife beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Reincarnation, or the belief that the soul is reborn into a new body after death, is a central aspect of Hinduism's beliefs about the afterlife. Hinduism teaches that the soul passes through multiple lives or reincarnations, known as samsara, in order to achieve spiritual purity and eventually be released from the cycle of rebirth. This process is influenced by one's karma, or the accumulation of good and bad actions in past lives.

Question 19

The International Social Survey Program surveyed 32 countries.In how many of those countries did a majority of adults respond "definitely yes" to the question "do you believe in life after death?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of The International Social Survey Program surveyed 32...

Question 20

____ is a belief that after death the soul returns again to earth in another bodily form.

Accepted Answer

Reincarnation is the belief that after an individual dies, their soul is reborn into another body or form. This is a widely held belief in certain religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, among others. The term "rebirth" is sometimes used interchangeably with reincarnation, but reincarnation specifically refers to the rebirth of the soul or spirit. "Regrowth" and "recycling" are not relevant to the concept of the rebirth of the soul.

Quiz 13: Death and Afterlife Beliefs