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Questions and Answers
What is a proposed working definition of religion?
What is a proposed working definition of religion?
Which of the following reasons is NOT mentioned for studying religion?
Which of the following reasons is NOT mentioned for studying religion?
What method does sociology emphasize in the study of religion?
What method does sociology emphasize in the study of religion?
Which discipline analyzes sacred texts through textual and documentary criticism?
Which discipline analyzes sacred texts through textual and documentary criticism?
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What does the 'family resemblance' approach to religion suggest?
What does the 'family resemblance' approach to religion suggest?
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Which psychologist is known for distinguishing intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientations?
Which psychologist is known for distinguishing intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientations?
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What aspect of religion do anthropologists primarily focus on?
What aspect of religion do anthropologists primarily focus on?
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Which scholar's work is associated with 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism'?
Which scholar's work is associated with 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism'?
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What concept refers to the liberation from illusion in various religious traditions?
What concept refers to the liberation from illusion in various religious traditions?
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Which of the following is NOT a common feature of contemporary religious fundamentalism?
Which of the following is NOT a common feature of contemporary religious fundamentalism?
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Which movement addresses the resurgence of religious belief amidst secularization?
Which movement addresses the resurgence of religious belief amidst secularization?
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What issue reflects the changing roles of women in various religious traditions?
What issue reflects the changing roles of women in various religious traditions?
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What term is used to describe the decline of religion's influence in modern society?
What term is used to describe the decline of religion's influence in modern society?
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What does the Future, This-Worldly Theodicy primarily offer?
What does the Future, This-Worldly Theodicy primarily offer?
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What does the concept of 'creatio ex nihilo' specifically highlight?
What does the concept of 'creatio ex nihilo' specifically highlight?
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Which is a characteristic of the Other-Worldly Theodicy?
Which is a characteristic of the Other-Worldly Theodicy?
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Which myth exemplifies the theme of creation through conflict?
Which myth exemplifies the theme of creation through conflict?
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What is the primary purpose of the phenomenological method in the study of religious experience?
What is the primary purpose of the phenomenological method in the study of religious experience?
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What is the primary focus of the Free Will Defense?
What is the primary focus of the Free Will Defense?
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In what way does Dualist Theodicy explain evil?
In what way does Dualist Theodicy explain evil?
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Which statement best describes Jainism's perspective on cosmogonic speculation?
Which statement best describes Jainism's perspective on cosmogonic speculation?
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How does Anthony Flew's falsification principle challenge religious claims?
How does Anthony Flew's falsification principle challenge religious claims?
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Which ethical framework is characterized by a focus on duty and obligations?
Which ethical framework is characterized by a focus on duty and obligations?
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In Confucianism, which concept is prioritized for achieving social harmony?
In Confucianism, which concept is prioritized for achieving social harmony?
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What does the concept of 'hierophany' refer to in relation to sacred space?
What does the concept of 'hierophany' refer to in relation to sacred space?
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How do Marx and Freud's views on the human condition primarily differ from religious perspectives?
How do Marx and Freud's views on the human condition primarily differ from religious perspectives?
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Which interpretation of myth emphasizes its social functions?
Which interpretation of myth emphasizes its social functions?
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Which of the following concepts is associated with Islamic Law?
Which of the following concepts is associated with Islamic Law?
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Which of the following best describes Rudolf Otto's concept of the numinous?
Which of the following best describes Rudolf Otto's concept of the numinous?
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What is the role of religious symbols as discussed in the content?
What is the role of religious symbols as discussed in the content?
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What does the Way of Action and Obligation emphasize?
What does the Way of Action and Obligation emphasize?
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What is the central premise of the Anthropic Principle?
What is the central premise of the Anthropic Principle?
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What concept describes the transitional stage in rites of passage?
What concept describes the transitional stage in rites of passage?
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Which philosophical approach does Stoicism primarily advocate?
Which philosophical approach does Stoicism primarily advocate?
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What does 'cyclical sacred time' signify in religious contexts?
What does 'cyclical sacred time' signify in religious contexts?
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Which type of sacred ritual focuses on healing?
Which type of sacred ritual focuses on healing?
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Which of the following illustrates the Way of Devotion (bhakti)?
Which of the following illustrates the Way of Devotion (bhakti)?
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In the tension between interpretation and explanation, what does interpretation refer to?
In the tension between interpretation and explanation, what does interpretation refer to?
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What do the Four Noble Truths in Theravada Buddhism identify as the root cause of suffering?
What do the Four Noble Truths in Theravada Buddhism identify as the root cause of suffering?
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What is the primary function of sacrifice in religious rituals?
What is the primary function of sacrifice in religious rituals?
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What is the difference between representational and presentational symbols?
What is the difference between representational and presentational symbols?
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Which sacred scripture is associated with the Islamic faith?
Which sacred scripture is associated with the Islamic faith?
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What is a key challenge in defining sacred scripture in a comparative context?
What is a key challenge in defining sacred scripture in a comparative context?
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Which season ritual emphasizes purification and invigoration?
Which season ritual emphasizes purification and invigoration?
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What type of ritual includes sacraments emphasizing performative actions?
What type of ritual includes sacraments emphasizing performative actions?
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Study Notes
Part I: The Study of Religion
- Defining Religion: Defining religion is difficult; various attempts have been made, highlighting the importance of avoiding narrow definitions, vagueness, and oversimplifications.
- A working definition: Religion is a system of activities and beliefs directed towards that which is perceived as sacred and transforming.
- Why are humans religious?: Human religiosity is linked to self-consciousness, self-transcendence and the ability to ask existential questions. It's connected to uncertainty, powerlessness and scarcity.
- Why study religion?: Five reasons: Understanding Homo religiosus; overcoming ignorance, comprehending different cultures, achieving global perspective, and formulating personal beliefs.
Part II: Universal Forms of Religious
Experience and Expression
- Chapter 3: The Sacred and the Holy
- Concept of Sacred Power: The sacred is set apart and possesses power, including fetishes, totems, and other objects.
- Ambivalence of Sacred Power: The sacred is both awe-inspiring and dangerous.
- Holy as Mysterium Tremendum and Fascinans: Distinguishes the concept of the numinous and its related awe and dread.
- Sacred Space and Sacred Time.
- Sacred Space (Mirocea Eliade): Hierophany, axis mundi, imago mundi are considered. Religious space is a central concept.
- Sacred Time (Mirocea Eliade): The cyclical and renewal aspect.
- Chapter 4: Sacred Symbol, Myth, and Doctrine
- Symbolic Communication: Distinguishes signs and symbols, and their use in religious contexts.
- Religious Symbols: Explains how symbols bridge between the profane and sacred.
- Metaphor, Parable, and Story: Explores narrative structure and impact.
- Myth: Functionalist Theory, Psychotherapeutic Theory, and Phenomenological Theories are outlined.
- Models and Doctrines: Religious doctrines are compared to scientific models.
Chapter 5: Sacred Ritual
- Ritual Action: Defines religious ritual, its functions and examples.
- Types of Sacred Ritual: Explores various types including life-cycle rites and life crisis rites.
Chapter 6: Sacred Scripture
- Using the Term Scripture: Discusses the challenges of using the term "scripture" in a comparative context, and the importance of oral traditions.
- The Pervasive Role of Sacred Scripture: Notes the variations in the nature and authority of sacred scriptures across different religions.
- Key Takeaway: Sacred scriptures vary widely in their form, content, and authority, reflecting diverse religious traditions.
- Authority and Canonicity of Scripture: Explores processes of canon formation and the role of historical texts.
- The Uses of Scripture: Many functions of scripture are explored including instruction, worship, meditation, devotion, and quasi-magical functions.
Part III: Universal Components of a Religious Worldview
- Chapter 7: Society and the Sacred: The Social Formations and Transformations of Religion
- Reciprocal Relationship Between Religion and Society: Discusses the interplay between religion and society, rejecting simplistic social determinism.
- Types of Religious Communities: Analyses different types, including natural religious communities; secret societies; and voluntary religious communities.
Chapter 8: Deity: Concepts of the Divine and Ultimate Reality
- Polytheism: The worship of multiple gods.
- Dualism: Belief in two co-equal, contrasting, sacred powers.
- Pantheism: Belief that all things are divine; God is immanent in the world.
- Monism: Belief in a single, ultimate reality.
- Monotheism: Belief in a single personal God.
- Panentheism: God is both transcendent and immanent, but distinct.
Chapter 9: Cosmogony: Origins of the Natural and Social Order
- Emergence from a Primal Substance: Examines origin myths.
- Sexual Union of Primal Male and Female: Origin myths from various cultures are explored.
- Creation by Conflict: Explores creation myths.
- Creation by a Divine Craftsman: Examines origin myths.
- Creation by Decree: Explores origin myths.
- The Rejection of Cosmogonic Speculation: Examines various myths.
- Cosmogony Today: Explores the impact of scientific cosmology on contemporary religious views.
Chapter 10: Views of the Human Problem
- Modern Views: An overview of modern views on the human condition by contrasting them with those from religion.
- Stoicism: Focuses on a philosophy of ignorance.
- Christianity: An overview on Christian views on original sin and the imago Dei.
- Theravada Buddhism: Explores suffering and its cause.
Chapter 11: Theodicy: Encountering Evil
- Theodicy of Mystical Participation: Examines the use of suffering through community.
- Future, This-Worldly Theodicy: Examines hope for future earthly redemption.
- Other-Worldly Theodicy: Examines compensation in a future life.
- Dualist Theodicy: Examines evil as an opposing power
- Karma-Samsara Theodicy: Explores suffering as a result of past action, the cycle of rebirth.
- Monotheistic Theodicies: Explores the reconciliation of God's goodness with evil's existence.
- The Free Will Defense: Explores moral development and free will.
- Process Theodicy: Challenges the traditional view of God's omnipotence.
Chapter 12: Ethics: Foundations of Moral Action
- Philosophical Ethics: Overview of different ethical theories.
- Sources of Moral Authority: Explores many different sources of moral authority.
Chapter 13: Soteriology: Ways and Goals of Salvation and Liberation
- The Way of Grace Through Faith: How salvation is found through faith.
- The Way of Devotion: Emphasizes emotional devotion and personal experience with the divine.
- The Way of Action and Obligation: The importance of righteous conduct and fulfilling duties.
- The Way of Meditation and Philosophical Insight: Explores the ways for meditation and philosophical insight.
- Goals of Salvation: Explores diverse conceptions of salvation.
Chapter 14: Secularization—New Religious Revitalization Movements—Contemporary Religious Fundamentalism
- Secularization: Explores the decline of religion's influence in modern society and its critics.
- Religious Revitalization Movements: Highlights the resurgence of religious belief and practice.
- Contemporary Religious Fundamentalism: Defines and analyzes fundamentalist movements.
Chapter 15: Contemporary Challenges to Traditional Religion: The Status and the Roles of Women-Relations Between Religion and the State
- The Status and Roles of Women: Explores the changing roles of women in different faiths.
- Relations Between Religion and the State: Explores the complexities of church-state relations.
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