Defining Religion

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According to F. Max Mü ller, what is the perception of religion?

The perception of the infinite (correct)

The study of religious texts

The belief in spiritual things

The determination of fixed limits of the concept

According to E. B. Tylor, why would someone consider themselves religious?

Because they believe that gods exist (correct)

Because they participate in religious rituals

Because they have a sense of spirituality

Because they study religious texts

According to Brian Morris, what is the purpose of religion?

To perceive the infinite

To determine fixed limits of the concept

To appease and reconcile powers believed to be superior to man (correct)

To offer a precise descriptive characterization of the concept

According to Durkheim, what is the definition of religion?

A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things Signup and view all the answers

What can be considered sacred in a given society?

The flag in the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

According to Mircea Eliade, what is a fundamental characteristic of human beings?

An orientation toward a greater and awesome Other Signup and view all the answers

What does Mircea Eliade define as the primal time?

The Center, the zone of absolute reality Signup and view all the answers

What is one problem with the ontological approach to defining religion?

The difficulty in defining the concept of religion itself Signup and view all the answers

What is the first major problem with defining religion in terms of spiritual or supernatural content?

The deferral of the question Signup and view all the answers

What is the second major problem with defining religion in terms of spiritual or supernatural content?

The deferral of the question Signup and view all the answers

According to Clifford Geertz, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of religion?

Identifying specific religious symbols Signup and view all the answers

According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the relationship between religion and the scholar's study?

Religion has no independent existence apart from the academy Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote from Jonathan Z. Smith imply about the term 'religion'?

The term 'religion' is a subjective concept created by scholars Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary subject matter of the study of religion?

The cultural and human activity related to religion Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the framework of Christianity when examining other religions?

The framework of Christianity should be set aside when examining other religions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of Geertz's criticism of defining religion based on specific characteristics?

Defining religion based on specific characteristics is too simplistic Signup and view all the answers

According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the role of the scholar in creating religion?

The scholar's role is to create new religions for academic purposes Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the existence of data for religion?

There is no data available for the study of religion Signup and view all the answers

According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what should the student of religion be?

Relentlessly self-conscious Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the definition of 'religion' in different cultures?

The definition of 'religion' varies in different cultures Signup and view all the answers

Defining Religion

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Questions and Answers

According to F. Max Mü ller, what is the perception of religion?

According to E. B. Tylor, why would someone consider themselves religious?

According to Brian Morris, what is the purpose of religion?

According to Durkheim, what is the definition of religion?

What can be considered sacred in a given society?

According to Mircea Eliade, what is a fundamental characteristic of human beings?

What does Mircea Eliade define as the primal time?

What is one problem with the ontological approach to defining religion?

What is the first major problem with defining religion in terms of spiritual or supernatural content?

What is the second major problem with defining religion in terms of spiritual or supernatural content?

According to Clifford Geertz, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of religion?

According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the relationship between religion and the scholar's study?

What does the quote from Jonathan Z. Smith imply about the term 'religion'?

What is the primary subject matter of the study of religion?

What does the text suggest about the framework of Christianity when examining other religions?

What is the main point of Geertz's criticism of defining religion based on specific characteristics?

According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what is the role of the scholar in creating religion?

What does the text suggest about the existence of data for religion?

According to Jonathan Z. Smith, what should the student of religion be?

What does the text suggest about the definition of 'religion' in different cultures?

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