Belief Systems 02
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Questions and Answers

Usul al-din refers to the Arabic word for the Islamic intellectual tradition of ______.

theology

The branch of Islamic theology known as Kalam deals with speculative and philosophical arguments about the ______.

Word of God

Anthropology studies human behavior and cultures, including the ______ of early civilizations.

beliefs

Edward Burnett Taylor is known as the Father of Cultural ______.

<p>Anthropology</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ninian Smart emphasized that no religion contains the whole ______.

<p>truth</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Karl Marx, religion is seen as the 'Opium of the ______'

<p>masses</p> Signup and view all the answers

Emile Durkheim viewed religion as a unifying belief system that groups of people identify with, known as ______ functionalism.

<p>structural</p> Signup and view all the answers

Max Weber noted that in Calvinism, the ability to donate was often seen as a sign of being ______.

<p>rich</p> Signup and view all the answers

William James made a distinction between institutional religion and ______ religion.

<p>personal</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sigmund Freud argued that religion originates from the helplessness and ______ of childhood.

<p>anxiety</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Islamic Perspective

  • Usul al-din: Arabic term for the foundational elements of Islamic theology.
  • Kalam: Refers to the theological discourse in Islam, emphasizing speculative and philosophical reasoning.

Anthropology of Religion

  • Physical vs Cultural Anthropology: Examines human behavior, biology, and cultures over time, including past human species.
  • Anthropology of Religion: Scientific study of myriad human religions and belief systems, monitoring the evolution of early civilizations' beliefs in spiritual beings.
  • Animism: Represents the earliest formation of religious thought; involves understanding abstract concepts and is evidenced by artifacts and cave paintings.

Key Questions in Anthropology

  • Examines the diversity of religions and the common practices, rituals, and beliefs among them.
  • Investigates how religious practices influence culture and social structure.

Notable Anthropologists

  • Edward Burnett Tylor: Recognized as the Father of Cultural Anthropology; highlighted belief in spiritual beings.
  • Abdul Hamid El-Zein: Discussed jinn, ethereal beings in Islam, illustrating how concepts of spiritual beings can vary across religions.
  • Ninian Smart: Suggested that no single religion possesses absolute truth and emphasized the importance of learning from various traditions.

Sociology of Religion

  • Focus: Investigates human interactions and social dynamics within the context of religion.

Key Questions in Sociology

  • Explores the influence of religion on human interactions and whether it acts as a unifying force or a source of division.

Notable Sociologists

  • Karl Marx (Conflict Theory): Argued that religion serves as a tool for the wealthy to pacify the oppressed, coining the term "Opium of the Masses."
  • Emile Durkheim (Structural Functionalism): Viewed religion as a cohesive system that facilitates group identity.
  • Max Weber: Linked Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, with the necessity of financial capability to participate in religious donations.

Psychology of Religion

  • Definition: Studies the mind, thought processes, mental health, and individual personality development influenced by beliefs.

Key Questions in Psychology

  • Considers the impact of religious beliefs on mental well-being and the emotional state of individuals.

Notable Psychologists

  • William James: Differentiated between institutional and personal religion, emphasizing individual experiences with the divine.
  • Sigmund Freud: Characterized religion as a manifestation of psychological states; regarded it as a product of anxiety and childhood helplessness, noting flaws in his methods.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of Usul al-din and Kalam within Islamic theology, along with a focus on the anthropology of religion that distinguishes between physical and cultural anthropology. Delve into the scientific analysis of human behavior, cultures, and the significance of religion in shaping communities.

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