Question 1

Along with sociology,which other discipline understands religion as a form of culture?

Accepted Answer

Anthropology also studies religion as a part of culture. In fact, anthropology considers religion as one of the primary elements of culture, along with language, social organization, and economics. Anthropologists study the beliefs, practices, and rituals of various religious groups and look at how religion shapes and is shaped by cultural practices and values.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an example of a totem?

Accepted Answer

Objects regarded as ordinary parts of routine, everyday life are not examples of totems. Totems are objects or symbols that represent a group of people, such as a clan or tribe. They are often associated with a particular animal or plant, and are considered to be sacred.

Question 3

A belief in one or more supernatural deities is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

The belief in one or more supernatural deities is known as theism. Polytheism refers to the belief in multiple gods and goddesses, while monotheism is the belief in one God. Theology is the study of religious beliefs and practices.

Question 4

Which of the following did Émile Durkheim and Karl Marx agree on regarding religion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following did Émile Durkheim...

Question 5

According to anthropologists,which of the following is linked to the early organized religion found at Göbekli Tepe?

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists believe that early organized religion found at Göbekli Tepe is linked to agriculture. The site shows evidence of large-scale agriculture including irrigation systems, which would have required coordinated efforts and organization. This led to the development of complex social structures and the emergence of religion as a means of explaining and legitimizing these structures.

Question 6

Which of the following would NOT be considered an example of a religious group's effort to gain more followers?

Accepted Answer

An individual inviting a fellow Christian to attend mass is a personal invitation rather than an organized effort by a religious group to gain more followers.

Question 7

Which of the following allows for more religious choice?

Accepted Answer

Denomination refers to a subset of a larger religion that shares common beliefs and practices but operates independently. This allows for more religious choice as individuals can choose which denomination they align with based on their personal beliefs and values. In contrast, a prevailing religion may have a dominate presence in a certain area, limiting individuals' options for religious practice.

Question 8

Which of the following is considered the most mainstream religious organization?

Accepted Answer

A church is typically considered to be the most mainstream religious organization. It is usually a large and established religious institution with a significant number of followers, an organized hierarchy, and recognized traditions and practices. Sects, cults, and new religious movements, on the other hand, tend to be smaller, less mainstream, and often controversial in their beliefs and practices.

Question 9

Which of the following would be considered a modern-day example of a sect?

Accepted Answer

Evangelicalism is a modern-day example of a sect as it is a subset of Protestantism that emphasizes personal salvation and a literal interpretation of the Bible. Unlike Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Sunni Islam, which are established and widely recognized religions, evangelicalism emerged as a distinct religious movement in response to various social and cultural changes in the United States. As such, it reflects an ongoing process of fragmentation and specialization within the broader religious landscape.

Question 10

Which of the following receives special rights and privileges from the state?

Accepted Answer

An ecclesia is a religious institution that is recognized and granted special rights and privileges by the state. This can include tax exemptions, government funding, land grants, and legal recognition of their authority. Sects, denominations, and churches may not necessarily receive these same benefits from the state.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of early Protestantism in the United States,as described by Max Weber?

Accepted Answer

According to Max Weber's analysis of early Protestantism in the United States, wealth was viewed as a sign of God's blessings and a possible indication of one's salvation. Therefore, D is the correct choice as it goes against this characteristic. A, B, and C are all characteristics of early Protestantism as described by Weber.

Question 12

"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature,the sentiment of a heartless world,and the soul of soulless conditions.It is the opium of the people." Which of the following theoretical perspectives best fits with this statement?

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects the conflict theory perspective, which suggests that religion is a tool used by powerful groups to maintain their control over society and distract the oppressed from their exploitation. The idea that religion is the "opium of the people" indicates that it serves as a form of false consciousness that deflects attention away from the real sources of oppression and social inequality. This perspective also emphasizes the role of social conflict in shaping religious beliefs and practices.

Question 13

Max Weber's concept of the routinization of charisma can be described as

Accepted Answer

The routinization of charisma refers to the process by which the extraordinary and personal qualities of a charismatic leader are transformed into a stable, organized structure, often resulting in the institutionalization of their beliefs.

Question 14

A religious organization that has splintered off from an established church in an effort to restore perceived "true" beliefs and practices is referred to as a(n)______.

Accepted Answer

A sect is a religious organization that has broken away from a larger established religious group in order to restore what they see as the "true" beliefs and practices of the original religion. Denominations are different branches within a larger religious tradition, while a cult typically describes a newer or fringe religious movement with a charismatic leader and unconventional practices. Ecclesia refers to a dominant religious organization that is closely tied to the state or government.

Question 15

Which of the following is characteristic of the religious economy approach?

Accepted Answer

The religious economy approach suggests that individuals have choices in selecting their religious affiliations and that there is likely to be a religious option for just about everyone. This approach also emphasizes that religions must compete with each other in order to attract followers. Therefore, option D is the characteristic of the religious economy approach.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the way sociologists study religion?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists typically do not study whether religious beliefs are true or false, as this is not within the scope of their research. They instead focus on how religion functions in society and the impact it has on individuals and communities. A, B, and D are all characteristic of the way sociologists study religion.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of religion?

Accepted Answer

Religion does not necessarily require formal organizations, as it can exist in various forms including individual or household practices.

Question 18

Which of the following would NOT be considered an example of an ecclesia?

Accepted Answer

An ecclesia is a dominant religious organization that includes most members of society and is recognized as the national or official religion. Christianity in the United States does not fit this definition as it is not the official religion and the U.S. has a separation of church and state.

Question 19

A system of common beliefs and rituals centered on "sacred things" that unites believers and provides a sense of meaning and purpose is referred to as ______.

Accepted Answer

The description given fits the definition of religion - a set of beliefs and practices centered around the sacred and providing a shared sense of meaning and purpose to its members. Culture and society are broader concepts that can encompass many different aspects of human life, including religion. Education refers to the process of learning and knowledge transmission, but it is not specifically related to the concept of shared beliefs and practices.

Question 20

Sociologist Herbert Blumer suggested that the meaning of a thing for a person grows out of the ways in which others respond to the object and the person's actions toward it.Which of the following is NOT an example of this?

Accepted Answer

The example of a chronically ill man being cured following a week of prayer does not involve the ways in which others respond to the object or the person's actions toward it. It is a personal experience of the individual and cannot be attributed solely to others' responses or attitudes towards the object or action. The other examples involve societal responses or cultural norms that shape individuals' meanings and behaviors.

Quiz 11: Religion and Society