Approaches to Studying Religion SOPHIA Milestone 1: Download to Pass Graded A

1 What does it mean to try to be "objective" when studying religion? Devoting an equal amount of time to studying every religion. Determining which religions are most true. Refraining from judging the religion being studied. Only studying one religion. CONCEPT Role of Religion in Modern Life 2 According to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, what is the family? Primarily a medium of economic security, and only secondarily a medium for meaningful relationships. The foundation of society. A social structure mandated by the Greek gods. CONCEPT Religion and the Family 3 Which of the following is true of Shinto? Originates from India Originates from Korea Originates from China Originates from Japan CONCEPT Other Eastern Religions 4 Based on your study of Buddhism, which of the following is an accurate description of the religion’s outlook on god/gods? Buddhists believe that Buddha was the one true God. All Buddhists believe in many gods/goddesses. Buddhists believe in a creator god. Buddhism is non-theistic. CONCEPT Buddhism 5 Which of the following is NOT a branch of Christianity? Eastern Orthodox Baha'i Catholicism Protestantism CONCEPT Christianity 6 Which of the following sentences accurately describes phenomenology and its use in the study of religion? Phenomenology focuses on the existence or non-existence of God. Phenomenology focuses on how religion changes over time. Phenomenology uses the scientific method to study religions. Phenomenology focuses on the way in which religion manifests itself experientially. CONCEPT Phenomenology 7 What does the term "extra-rational" refer to? The most rational kinds of beliefs that people hold. Beliefs so foundational that they are not challenged, such as mathematical rules. Beliefs beyond the limits of human logic, cognition, or reason. Beliefs that are drawn from human emotions or feelings. CONCEPT Religion as Myth 8 Which of the following is the best definition for the philosophy of religion? The study of religious mythologies for the purpose of comparing philosophy of religions against each other A discipline that cannot be practiced by believers, as it holds an objective viewpoint on the topic of religion A scholarly field that aims to address individual religious experience An academic discipline that considers religious questions from a broad, scholarly standpoint CONCEPT Philosophy of Religion 9 Which of the following accurately describes Confucianism? Confucianism is a religion that stresses release from this world and is incompatible with other religions. Confucianism is a monotheistic religion that attracts the status quo and current norms but limits social or political control. Confucianism is principally an ethical, moral, and philosophical system that stresses loyalty to family, society, and government. Confucianism is a religion that stresses surrender to God’s will and is compatible with other religions. CONCEPT Confucianism 10 What are the two main sects of Islam today referred to? Sunni and Shia Orthodox and liberal Abrahamic and Qu'ranic monotheistic and non-theistic CONCEPT Islam 11 Which of the following is a Western religion? Buddhism Shinto Jainism CONCEPT Categorizing Religions 12 In what way can using the phenomenological method along with the comparative method of studying religion be of benefit? It allows one to compare and rank religions in terms of how beneficial they are to individuals. It allows one to compare and rank religions in terms of how beneficial they are to society. It allows one to see if other religions make as much sense as one's own. It allows one to compare and contrast religions without personal bias. CONCEPT Comparative Religion 13 Which language does the word "profane" originate from? Latin Greek Italian Hebrew CONCEPT The Sacred and the Profane 14 Which of the following sentences correctly describes Hinduism? Hinduism originated in east Asia and aims to reconcile individuals to their lives. Hinduism is a henotheistic religion that has liberation from the world as its main goal. Hinduism is a clearly defined religion with an identifiable founding. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion with a single sacred text. CONCEPT Hinduism 15 Religion arises from the human struggle with the "transcendent," which refers to what? A religious leader Other religious practitioners Any political or social power Something completely beyond the ordinary CONCEPT Reasons for Studying Religion 16 There is ambiguity in trying to define exactly what religion is. What does this mean for the study of religion? Our definitions will be incomplete, but get us closer to understanding religion. We should not try to study religions too closely. We should not try to define religion. We must dedicate large amounts of time to defining religion before we begin to study it. CONCEPT "Origins" of Religion 17 Which of the following scholars studies the phenomenology of religion? M. Eliade M. Gandhi T. Aquinas S. Freud CONCEPT Phenomenology 18 Most religions provide an account of which of the following? The cosmos at large, but not individual things or persons within the cosmos. The origin of the religion and the origin of its practitioners. Reasons to believe that the religion itself may not be true. The origin of other cultures, but not one's own. CONCEPT Religion and Origins 19 Which of the following is a central claim of Judaism? It is one of the world’s oldest polytheistic religions Claims that Jews are the chosen people of God Claims that Jesus of Nazareth, while not the Messiah, is an important prophet Claims to have been founded 2,500 years ago CONCEPT Judaism 20 Which of the following best describes a person that claims to be an atheist? They believe that God does not exist. They believe that God is not personal (i.e. has relationships with humans). They believe that God exists, but religions are a human construction. They believe that the answer to God's existence can never be known. Religion and Society 21 Who of the following was a pioneer in the sociology of religion? Otto Eliade Van der Leeuw Durkheim CONCEPT Sociology of Religion 22 Which of the following best describes what is meant by the term "impulse?" The act of converting to a new religion. A non-rational drive or desire. A religious ritual, usually done in groups. A feeling of complete dependence. CONCEPT The Religious Impulse 23 Which of the following is a primary focus of religion? To entertain with To understand ultimate questions To challenge political power To alleviate human suffering CONCEPT A "Definition" of Religion 24 What is a social convention? The "natural" state of human beings, defined by social and psychological drives rather than culture. The process by which children learn the norms and accepted practices of their culture. Any belief or practice that sits outside of the mainstream worldview of a particular group. A societal or group custom, belief, or tradition that is widely practiced. CONCEPT Religion as Culture & Social Convention 25 Which of the following describes theology? Seeks to understand how a religion has changed over time. Seeks to ask and answer questions related to the underlying reality of the unseen. Seeks to bracket unanswerable questions.