Religions and Spiritual Symbols Study Guide
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What is the definition of 'Absent Authority Figures'?

The deconstruction of a set of relationships where power exists and who benefits from the process. Gods, saints, spirits, and other types of supernatural entities or beings who have passed away can be categorized as absent figures, including those that are considered founders.

What is 'Animism'?

A term that describes a belief system amongst indigenous communities who believe that natural features of the world hold spirits and are animated.

What is 'Budai'?

The 'Laughing Buddha' that is popular all over the world, is a blend of Buddhism and Chinese folklore and was inspired by a Buddhist monk named Budai.

What is the 'Cognitive Science of Religion'?

<p>A subfield of study that is concerned with understanding the role of the physical sciences in the study of religion. Studies how the mind/brain responds to religious concepts, beliefs, and experiences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Creationism'?

<p>A modern movement that originated in the early twentieth century as a reaction against biblical criticism and Liberal Protestantism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Eisegesis'?

<p>An interpretation of a text that supports an exegete's own views.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Mircea Eliade?

<p>A Romanian historian of religion who studied various religions worldwide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Fieldwork'?

<p>An activity that is done to study cultures, where scholars visit places of a particular religion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' or 'Pastafarianism'?

<p>A new religious movement created to debunk the belief in creationism and intelligent design.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Franklin Frazier?

<p>An American sociologist who argued against Melville Herskovits in his study of African-American religion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Functionalism'?

<p>A perspective in the study of religion that focuses on the role a religion plays in a society and its wider function.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Gospel of Mary'?

<p>A piece of Christian text that retells the story of Mary's relationship with Jesus. This text was not included in the Bible and is an example of the role of women in leadership.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the 'Messiah'?

<p>Refer to a person who has fulfilled all the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. Also refers to someone who will liberate the Jewish people from oppressive regimes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Mindfulness Movement'?

<p>A movement in North America characterized by individualistic self-focused meditation practices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Nones'?

<p>People who do not identify with any particular religious organization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Orientalism'?

<p>A term used to describe the way Western writers depict the 'Orient' or 'East', often portraying it as the opposite of Western civilization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Religionsgeschichtliche Schule'?

<p>A German school of thought from the 19th century concerned with the study of religion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Secularism'?

<p>A way of perceiving good historical arguments that are considered non-religious and directly from Protestantism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Substantive'?

<p>Key or necessary features that one would expect to find when looking at a religion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Parody Religion?'

<p>Mock religions that are created to challenge the spiritual convictions of others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A religious movement is more legitimate if it does not have any people who are designated as authoritative leaders.

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

Since religion is a lived experience, and people do religion, there is actually very little to be gained from the study of 'dead' religions.

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

Setting aside the difficulty of defining 'religion' in the ancient world, there are gaps and limitations in studying the cultures of places such as ancient Greece or ancient India.

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

People 'do' religion and it follows that the study of religion must prioritize fieldwork over texts; put differently, (Study of religion) = (Texts) << (Fieldwork).

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

The more a religious movement expands through time and place, divisions inevitably happen solely due to disputes about things that are authoritative.

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

Teaching religious content can be limited by perspectives influenced by eisegesis-interpreting texts through the lens of one's own beliefs, thereby skewing education. Moreover, religious teachings have historically been approached through a substantive lens, emphasizing beliefs in gods and supernatural elements that don't encompass all types of religious expressions, such as animism and shamanism, which may be seen as less legitimate or as 'superstitious' in mainstream contexts.

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

As the study of religion continues to develop from its historical roots, methods that prioritize quantitative data over qualitative data promise to offer better answers to how humans interact with the natural and supernatural worlds.

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

The identification of a religion as ‘African-American’, ‘Western', or ‘Asian' allows scholars of religion to trace a direct line to a culture's past and understand how beliefs and practices developed over time.

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

Since it is impossible to separate religious views from public discourses on health, the economy, and social justice, we should accept and encourage religious views to affect public discourse.

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

A religious movement that does not experience — or even actively resists — changes in sacred texts, practices, rituals, or beliefs about the supernatural world over a period of time will inevitably become a 'dead' religion.

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

There is very little insight that new religious movements and parody religions that emerged in the last several decades can provide on more established religions.

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

While key concepts and ideas such as messiah, jihad, dharma, or shaman originate from a specific place and time, these terms can be adopted and transferred to another religious context to highlight the universality of religion as a human enterprise.

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

In the interest of developing existing and creating new theories in the study of religion, it is beneficial to label anything, including yoga, sports, or vegetarianism, as 'religious activity' — even going as far to label them all as 'religion.'

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

As demonstrated by serpent — not snake! — handlers in Appalachia, every religious movement is able, and also under obligation, to follow every word and command in a sacred text without any deviation.

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

Study Notes

Part A - Identification of Terms

  • Session numbers correspond to sessions 2-11, 12-22, etc.
  • Chapter numbers are listed for each session to help locate relevant information in the text.

Absence of Authority Figures

  • This involves deconstructing relationships where power is present.
  • Supernatural entities, like gods, spirits, are included in this category.

Animism

  • This term describes Indigenous religions.
  • Animism suggests that natural features (trees, animals, etc.) have spirits inhabiting them.
  • Early scholars often viewed animism as a less sophisticated form of religion.

Budai

  • A Buddhist monk who became a symbol of the "Laughing Buddha."
  • His image combines Buddhist and Chinese folklore.
  • Budai is sometimes associated with Maitreya, a future Buddha.

Buddha

  • A title, not a name, meaning "awakened one."
  • Maitreya is a Buddha who is "waiting" to appear.
  • He, when he becomes a Buddha, will revitalize the teachings of the Buddha

Part B - Statements

  • Religious movements gain legitimacy when they have a clear leader or organization.
  • A focus on the study of "dead" religions (those no longer practiced) brings historical context to religious beliefs.
  • "Religion" in ancient Greece and India presents unique challenges for study.
  • Fieldwork, while valuable, doesn't encompass the full extent of studying religions (as there are sacred texts as well).
  • Religious boundaries and subdivisions are often created over time.

Secularism

  • A non-religious perspective, arising as a response to Protestantism.

Shamanism

  • A practice involving a shaman mediating with the supernatural realm.
  • Cave paintings and archaeological artifacts are used as evidence of ancient Shamanism.

Substantive and Parody Definitions of Religion

  • These two categories offer different perspectives of how to understand religion.
  • Substantive religion relates to the core concepts people believe are central to a religion.
  • Parody religions use mockery to challenge spiritual beliefs.

Mysticism, Voodoo, and Nones

  • Mysticism involves experiencing unity with a higher being (God, etc.).
  • Voodoo is a syncretic religion formed in interaction between African, Native American, and European religions.
  • Nones are people who do not identify with any organized religion but still engage with religious aspects.

Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR)

  • Interdisciplinary field.
  • Examines the role of brain, and physical science, in understanding religion.
  • Critics argue that it reduces religious experience to a subjective, physical interpretation.

Creationism

  • Opposition to biological evolution.
  • Supports the belief of creation by God, per biblical doctrine.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts and figures in various religions, including aspects of animism, authority in sacred relationships, and notable figures like Budai and the Buddha. It's an essential resource for understanding the spiritual and cultural dynamics within Indigenous and Buddhist traditions.

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