Common Terms and Approaches in Religion

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Questions and Answers

What does monotheism refer to?

Belief in multiple gods.

Nonbelief in any deity.

Belief in a supreme spirit connecting everything.

Belief in only one God. (correct)

Which of the following best describes a transcendent deity?

A deity represented through various physical forms.

A spiritual presence that can be found in nature.

A deity with limited abilities who resides on earth.

A deity that is all-powerful and exists in a heavenly realm. (correct)

What distinguishes strong atheists from weak atheists?

Strong atheists do not believe in any deity, while weak atheists do.

Strong atheists actively promote their views, while weak atheists do not share their beliefs. (correct)

There is no distinction; both terms refer to the same ideology.

Weak atheists believe in a God but do not practice any religion.

What does the insider approach to studying religion involve?

Gaining firsthand knowledge of a religion one practices. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the belief in many different deities?

Polytheism Signup and view all the answers

What is the central belief of Tawhid in Islam?

The belief in one God. Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher argued that religion is a tool to control people with less power?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

What belief system argues that all religions are true on their own terms?

Pluralism Signup and view all the answers

What did Freud believe about the origin of religion?

It arose from guilt and anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

How do Muslims view the revelations given to Jesus?

As altered by early Christians. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of Shirk in Islam?

Making something equal to God. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach suggests that all individuals have some greater need or desire beyond religion?

Social-scientific Signup and view all the answers

What defines the belief of Inclusivism?

Many religions are true due to similarities with one's own religion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal in most branches of Hinduism?

Moksha Signup and view all the answers

Which deity in Hinduism is primarily associated with destruction and meditation?

Shiva Signup and view all the answers

What is a hallmark belief of Wahhabi Muslims regarding their interpretation of the Qur’an?

It is the only correct interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation behind Hindu Fundamentalism?

Exclusivism of Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

In Hinduism, what is the difference between a householder and a renouncer?

Householders focus on societal duties; renouncers focus on spiritual disciplines. Signup and view all the answers

What belief do most Wahhabi Muslims hold regarding access to Heaven?

Only Wahhabi Muslims will go to Heaven. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Hindu Fundamentalism?

A focus on environmental issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which holy texts are considered the earliest in Hinduism?

Vedas Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Hindu Fundamentalist (HF) views from those of Gandhi?

HF holds exclusivist views that can be violent. Signup and view all the answers

What is a core belief of Baha’is regarding world religions?

All major religions are reflections of the one true God. Signup and view all the answers

How does John Hick respond to Christian exclusivism?

He argues that no single religion can be the sole truth. Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as becoming a better person across various religions?

Salvation Signup and view all the answers

What is the Baha’i concept of 'progressive revelation'?

God has revealed truths through various prophets over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of salvation is experienced during one's life on earth?

This-worldly salvation Signup and view all the answers

Which belief is emphasized in the Baha’i faith regarding humanity?

Emphasizing unity can foster world peace and reduce prejudice. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic does Hick attribute to Christian inclusivism?

It suggests Christianity is superior to other religions. Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the study of salvation?

Soteriology Signup and view all the answers

What does Hick argue regarding the moral standing of Christians versus non-Christians?

There are morally good non-Christians and morally bad Christians. Signup and view all the answers

Which view reflects the Hindu Fundamentalist perspective?

Violent opposition to other religions. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the historical figure commonly known as the Buddha?

Siddhartha Gautama Signup and view all the answers

How do Baha’is differ from Muslims regarding prophets?

Baha’is accept multiple prophets after Muhammad. Signup and view all the answers

What prompted Siddhartha Gautama to renounce his luxurious life?

Awareness of suffering Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the term 'Buddha'?

Awakened one Signup and view all the answers

What kind of salvation is described as being earned through good actions?

Salvation by works Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Common Terms in Religion

Monotheism: Belief in one God.
Polytheism: Belief in multiple deities, including male and female.
Atheism: Nonbelief in any deity; can be strong (actively rejecting theism) or weak (non-active disbelief).
Transcendent: All-powerful deity in a heavenly realm; can do anything at any time.
Immanent: Limited deity existing on earth.

Approaches to Studying Religion

Insider Perspective: Studying a religion that one personally follows.
Outsider Perspective: Analyzing religions from an external viewpoint.
Phenomenological Approach: Asserts everyone is religious in some way; key figures include Friedrich Schleiermacher (absolute dependence) and Paul Tillich (ultimate concern).
Social-Scientific Approach: Proposes that religion arises from greater human needs; Karl Marx associates it with power dynamics, while Sigmund Freud links it to guilt and anxiety management.

Inter-religious Relations

Exclusivism: Belief that one's own religion is the sole true faith; includes fundamentalism which criticizes social conditions.
Inclusivism: Belief that many religions contain truth, but only because they share concepts with one's own religion.
Pluralism: Belief in the independent truth of all religions.

Key Islamic Beliefs

Tawhid: Sole belief in one God.
Shirk: Serious sin of equating anything with God; viewed negatively in Islam.
Revelations: Muslims believe revelations to Jews and Christians were altered; Muhammad received the final unaltered revelations, recorded in the Qur'an.

Wahhabi Islam

Origin: Emerged in Saudi Arabia in the 18th century; significantly influences extremist groups like ISIS and the Taliban.
Interpretation of the Qur'an: Wahhabi beliefs consider their understanding as the only correct one.
Final Judgment: Wahhabi Muslims hold an exclusivist view that only they will attain Heaven.

Hinduism Overview

Vedas: Earliest texts (1500-1500 BCE) include chants to various deities.
Key Concepts:
- Dharma: One's duty based on social class.
- Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth; ultimate goal.
Life Paths: Householders fulfill social duties, while renouncers focus on spirituality.

Hindu Deities

Vishnu: God associated with preservation and compassion; known through avatars like Krishna.
Shiva: God of destruction and meditation; known for the removal of obstacles (Ganesha).
Devi: Represents various forms of feminine divinity.

Hindu Fundamentalism

Goals: Promotes Hindu exclusivism and aims for a government that endorses Hindu principles.
Tensions: Often manifests in anti-Muslim and anti-Christian sentiments, resulting in violence.

Baha'i Faith

Origin: Founded in the 19th century by Baha'ullah in Iran.
Core Beliefs: Monotheism, unity of all religions via progressive revelation, and the emphasis on humanity's collective identity leading to peace.

Christian Pluralism by John Hick

Critique of Exclusivism: Argues no religion can claim sole truth.
Christian Inclusivism Issues: Criticism that it elevates Christianity above other religions.
Arguments for Pluralism: Different perceptions of God, the commonality of moral goodness across religions, and promotion of inter-religious learning.

Understanding Salvation

Soteriology: The study of salvation, addressing ultimate goals and means to achieve them.
Types of Salvation:
- This-worldly: Achieved during life.
- Other-worldly: Attained after death.
- Salvation by Works: Earned through good actions.
- Salvation by Grace: Received as a divine gift.

Life of Buddha

Real Name: Siddhartha Gautama; died in the 5th century BCE.
Meaning of "Buddha": "Awakened one" who renounced luxury to find peace (Nirvana).
Life Journey: Born to power, experienced no suffering until he confronted the realities of life leading to his quest for enlightenment.

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Description

Explore key concepts and terms in religion, including monotheism, polytheism, and atheism. Understand various approaches to studying religion such as insider and outsider perspectives, and examine inter-religious relations. Test your knowledge on the definitions and theoretical frameworks related to the study of religion.