Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The concept of 'religion' is universally understood and precisely defined across all cultures and historical periods.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholarly discourse indicates that the concept of 'religion' is not universally understood or precisely defined across all cultures and historical periods; rather, it is considered an essentially contested concept.
The English term 'religion' first appeared in the 1500s CE, with its primary meaning being the worship of deities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The English term 'religion' originated from Old French and Anglo-Norman roots around the 1200s CE, encompassing meanings such as moral obligation and sanctity, not solely the worship of deities.
Cicero proposed that the Latin term *religio* derived from *religare*, signifying 'to bind or connect again'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cicero suggested that *religio* derived from *relegere* (to read again or consider carefully), while St. Augustine and Lactantius proposed the derivation from *religare* (to bind or connect again).
In ancient Rome, *religio* primarily denoted devout worship directed exclusively toward the gods.
Answer: False
Explanation: In ancient Rome, *religio* encompassed a broader sense of conscientiousness, moral obligation, and general affective states related to mundane contexts, rather than solely devout worship of deities.
The Greek term *threskeia* was commonly employed in classical Greece to denote a well-defined concept analogous to religion.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Greek term *threskeia* was sparsely used in classical Greece and gained more currency in late antiquity, often signifying varied meanings and not necessarily a direct equivalent to a well-defined concept of religion.
The term 'religion' is etymologically linked to the Latin word *religare*, meaning 'to bind or connect again'.
Answer: True
Explanation: One prominent etymological interpretation links the Latin term *religio* to *religare*, signifying 'to bind or connect again,' as proposed by St. Augustine and Lactantius.
Which of the following best describes the scholarly consensus on the definition of religion?
Answer: It is considered an essentially contested concept with no precise scholarly consensus.
Explanation: Scholarly consensus indicates that 'religion' is an essentially contested concept, lacking a single, precise definition agreed upon by all scholars.
According to the text, where does the English term 'religion' originate?
Answer: From Old French and Anglo-Norman, dating back to the 1200s CE.
Explanation: The English term 'religion' derives from Old French and Anglo-Norman roots, appearing circa the 1200s CE.
Which interpretation of the Latin word *religio* was proposed by St. Augustine and Lactantius?
Answer: To bind or connect again.
Explanation: St. Augustine and Lactantius proposed that the Latin term *religio* derived from *religare*, signifying 'to bind or connect again'.
How did the ancient Romans often understand the concept of *religio*?
Answer: As heightened attention, caution, or fear in mundane contexts.
Explanation: Among ancient Romans, *religio* often referred to general affective states arising from heightened attention in mundane circumstances, such as hesitation or anxiety, rather than solely divine worship.
Friedrich Schleiermacher defined religion as the 'feeling of absolute dependence'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Friedrich Schleiermacher articulated religion as 'the feeling of absolute dependence,' emphasizing the subjective, experiential dimension of religious consciousness.
Edward Burnett Tylor's definition of religion posited 'belief in spiritual beings'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Edward Burnett Tylor defined religion in 1871 as 'the belief in spiritual beings,' arguing this captured the fundamental motive across diverse societies.
Émile Durkheim defined religion as a system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things.
Answer: True
Explanation: Émile Durkheim defined religion as 'a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things,' emphasizing their separation from the profane and their role in forming moral communities.
William James's definition of religion emphasized individual experiences of the divine, rather than communal worship or institutional structures.
Answer: True
Explanation: William James defined religion as 'the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine,' focusing on personal experience.
The text posits that the genesis of religious belief may be associated with the interpretation of dreams and the awareness of individual mortality.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text suggests that potential origins of religious belief include the interpretation of dreams, the awareness of individual death, and the fostering of a sense of community.
Mythology within religious traditions primarily serves to provide literal historical accounts of events.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mythology in religions often serves to explain origins and phenomena, and can be interpreted symbolically, rather than solely providing literal historical accounts.
Social constructionists contend that the concept of 'religion' represents a universal framework applicable to all human societies.
Answer: False
Explanation: Social constructionists argue that 'religion' is a modern Western concept, not universally applicable, and that its application to non-Western cultures is often inappropriate.
The cognitive science of religion employs naturalistic explanations to understand religious phenomena.
Answer: True
Explanation: The cognitive science of religion utilizes perspectives from cognitive and evolutionary sciences to explain religious thought and behavior through ordinary cognitive capacities.
Comparative religion focuses on the unique theological doctrines of a single religion.
Answer: False
Explanation: Comparative religion systematically compares the doctrines and practices of various world religions to foster a deeper understanding of fundamental philosophical concerns.
Sociologically, a myth is defined as a story that is demonstrably false and has no cultural importance.
Answer: False
Explanation: Sociologically, a myth is defined as a narrative that is important for a group, regardless of its objective truth, contrasting with the common usage implying untruth.
According to Monaghan and Just, the long-term success of revitalization movements depends solely on the charisma of the founding prophet.
Answer: False
Explanation: Monaghan and Just argue that while charismatic prophets initiate revitalization movements, their long-term success relies more on institutionalization by supporters.
According to the text, what did Friedrich Schleiermacher define as the essence of religion?
Answer: The feeling of absolute dependence.
Explanation: Friedrich Schleiermacher defined the essence of religion as 'the feeling of absolute dependence,' emphasizing subjective religious consciousness.
Émile Durkheim's definition of religion centers on beliefs and practices related to what?
Answer: Sacred things set apart and forbidden.
Explanation: Émile Durkheim's definition of religion focuses on beliefs and practices related to 'sacred things,' which are demarcated and set apart from the profane.
What did William James emphasize as the core of religion in *The Varieties of Religious Experience*?
Answer: The individual's feelings, acts, and experiences in relation to the divine.
Explanation: William James emphasized the individual's feelings, acts, and experiences in relation to the divine as the core of religion in his work *The Varieties of Religious Experience*.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the text as a potential explanation for the origin of religious belief?
Answer: The development of agriculture.
Explanation: The text mentions the awareness of individual death, interpretation of dreams, and fostering community as potential origins of religious belief, but not the development of agriculture.
In a sociological context, how is 'myth' defined?
Answer: A narrative that is important for a group, regardless of its objective truth.
Explanation: Sociologically, a myth is defined as a narrative that holds significance for a collective group, irrespective of its objective veracity.
What is the primary aim of the cognitive science of religion?
Answer: To study religious thought and behavior using cognitive and evolutionary sciences.
Explanation: The cognitive science of religion aims to study religious thought and behavior by applying perspectives from cognitive and evolutionary sciences.
World religions, indigenous religions, and new religious movements constitute three broad typological categories employed by academics for the classification of religions.
Answer: True
Explanation: Academics commonly employ categories such as world religions, indigenous religions, and new religious movements for the classification of religious traditions.
Ethnic religions, in contrast to universal religions, actively seek converts from diverse populations.
Answer: False
Explanation: Universal religions actively seek converts, whereas ethnic religions are typically tied to specific groups and do not generally proselytize.
The term 'science' evolved from 'natural philosophy' during the 19th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The term 'science' emerged and evolved from 'natural philosophy' in the 19th century, paralleling the emergence of 'religion' as a distinct concept in the 17th century.
The concept of 'religion' as a distinct domain emerged in the West during the 16th and 17th centuries, influenced by factors such as the Protestant Reformation.
Answer: True
Explanation: The modern concept of 'religion' as a distinct sphere of human activity gained prominence in the West during the 16th and 17th centuries, spurred by events like the Protestant Reformation and increased global contact.
Which scholar argues that 'religion' is a modern Western concept, not universally applicable across history and cultures?
Answer: Brent Nongbri
Explanation: Scholars such as Brent Nongbri argue that 'religion' is a modern concept, primarily developed in the West, and not universally applicable across all historical periods and cultures.
What historical events contributed to the emergence of the modern concept of 'religion' in the West?
Answer: The Protestant Reformation and the Age of Exploration.
Explanation: The Protestant Reformation and the Age of Exploration were significant historical events that contributed to the conceptualization of 'religion' as a distinct domain in the West.
Which classification system divides religions into 'world religions', 'indigenous religions', and 'new religious movements'?
Answer: A broad categorization used by some academics.
Explanation: The division of religions into 'world religions,' 'indigenous religions,' and 'new religious movements' represents a broad typological categorization employed by some academics.
What distinguishes 'universal religions' from 'ethnic religions'?
Answer: Universal religions seek converts; ethnic religions are tied to specific groups.
Explanation: Universal religions actively seek converts globally, whereas ethnic religions are typically associated with specific ethno-cultural groups and do not generally proselytize.
During which historical period did the concept of 'religion' emerge as a distinct domain in the West?
Answer: The 16th and 17th centuries.
Explanation: The concept of 'religion' as a distinct domain emerged in the West primarily during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Christianity and Islam represented the two largest religious affiliations globally as of 2015.
Answer: True
Explanation: As of 2015, Christianity and Islam were the two largest religious groups worldwide, accounting for 31% and 24% of the global population, respectively.
The Baháʼí Faith is occasionally subsumed within the category of Abrahamic religions.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Baháʼí Faith is sometimes included in the broader classification of Abrahamic religions due to its monotheistic roots and historical context.
The Tanakh is the foundational text for Islam.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Tanakh is the foundational text for Judaism. The foundational text for Islam is the Quran.
Adherents of Shia Islam maintain that Ali was the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
Answer: True
Explanation: A core tenet of Shia Islam is the belief that Ali ibn Abi Talib was the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
Indian religions, also designated as Dharmic religions, commonly share concepts such as karma and reincarnation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Religions originating in the Indian subcontinent, often termed Dharmic religions, frequently share concepts like karma, reincarnation, and the pursuit of liberation.
Jainism's core principle is the belief in a single, all-powerful creator deity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Jainism emphasizes non-violence, truth, and the principle of manifold reality, and does not center on the belief in a single creator deity.
The principal objective of Buddhism is the attainment of enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of suffering (samsara).
Answer: True
Explanation: The primary goal in Buddhism, as founded by Siddhartha Gautama, is to achieve enlightenment and escape the cycle of rebirth and suffering (samsara).
Theravada Buddhism is most prominent in the Himalayan regions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Theravada Buddhism is primarily practiced in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, while Vajrayana Buddhism is most prominent in the Himalayan regions.
Sikhism emphasizes the concept of *Waheguru*, signifying the oneness of the divine.
Answer: True
Explanation: The concept of *Waheguru*, representing the singular divine entity (*ik onkar*), is central to Sikh theology and practice.
Indigenous religions are characterized by extensive written scriptures and formal creeds.
Answer: False
Explanation: Indigenous religions are typically characterized by oral traditions, shamanism, and ancestor worship, often lacking extensive written scriptures or formal creeds.
Zoroastrianism is based on the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster and is fundamentally monotheistic.
Answer: True
Explanation: Zoroastrianism, founded by the prophet Zoroaster, is based on the worship of the creator deity Ahura Mazda and emphasizes a dualistic struggle between good and evil.
The phrase *ik onkar* in Sikhism signifies the concept of multiple divine actors.
Answer: False
Explanation: The phrase *ik onkar* in Sikhism signifies the concept of *Waheguru*, representing the oneness of the divine, not multiple divine actors.
The Sanskrit word *dharma* exclusively means 'religion' in classical South Asian contexts.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Sanskrit word *dharma* has a broader meaning than just 'religion,' encompassing concepts like law, duty, and cosmic order in classical South Asian traditions.
Buddhism and Taoism are examples of religions that can incorporate atheistic or agnostic elements.
Answer: True
Explanation: Certain traditions, including Buddhism and Taoism, can accommodate atheistic or agnostic perspectives within their philosophical frameworks.
As of 2015, which religious group ranked as the third largest globally?
Answer: Hinduism
Explanation: As of 2015, Hinduism was the third largest religious group globally, following Christianity and Islam.
Which of the following religions is typically excluded from the primary classification of Abrahamic religions?
Answer: Hinduism
Explanation: Hinduism is not typically included in the primary classification of Abrahamic religions, which primarily encompasses Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
What is identified as the foundational text of Judaism within the provided source material?
Answer: The Torah
Explanation: The Torah, which is part of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), is identified as the foundational text of Judaism.
What central tenet of Sikhism is signified by the phrase *ik onkar*?
Answer: The oneness of the divine (Waheguru).
Explanation: The phrase *ik onkar* in Sikhism signifies *Waheguru*, representing the singular, cosmic divine entity and the oneness of God.
Which of the following is a characteristic frequently associated with indigenous or folk religious traditions?
Answer: Shamanism and ancestor worship.
Explanation: Indigenous and folk religions are often characterized by shamanism, animism, and ancestor worship, rather than extensive scriptures or formal creeds.
Upon what foundational teachings is Zoroastrianism based?
Answer: The teachings of the prophet Zoroaster.
Explanation: Zoroastrianism is founded upon the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster, emphasizing the worship of Ahura Mazda and a dualistic cosmology.
Secularization involves the increasing dominance of religious institutions in government.
Answer: False
Explanation: Secularization is the process by which a society's politics move away from identification with religious values and institutions toward non-religious values and secular institutions.
Albert Einstein believed science and religion were fundamentally incompatible and mutually exclusive.
Answer: False
Explanation: Albert Einstein viewed science and religion as interdependent, with religion determining goals and science providing the means to achieve them, rather than being mutually exclusive.
Many religions furnish value frameworks to guide adherents in discerning ethical conduct.
Answer: True
Explanation: Numerous religious traditions provide ethical guidelines and value systems to assist adherents in distinguishing right from wrong.
A study cited in the text indicates a positive correlation between national wealth and religiosity.
Answer: False
Explanation: One study mentioned suggests a negative correlation between national wealth and religiosity, implying richer nations tend to have less religious populations.
Research suggests that religious involvement is generally associated with poorer health outcomes and lower longevity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Research, including studies from the Mayo Clinic, generally associates religious involvement with better health outcomes, including greater longevity and improved quality of life.
Anthropologist Jack David Eller's perspective on religion and violence posits that:
Answer: False
Explanation: Jack David Eller argues that violence is neither essential to nor exclusive to religion, suggesting it is compatible but not synonymous with religious phenomena.
The Catholic Church considers superstition a virtue and a sign of strong faith.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Catholic Church regards superstition as sinful, viewing it as a deviation from religious feeling and a lack of trust in divine providence.
Atheism and agnosticism are considered the direct opposites of being religious.
Answer: False
Explanation: The true opposites of 'religious' are 'irreligious' or 'antireligion'; atheism and agnosticism do not necessarily equate to the absence or opposition of religion.
The 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions constituted an early interfaith initiative that recognized the cultural diversity inherent in religious practices.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions was a significant interfaith event that affirmed universal values and acknowledged the diversity of practices among different cultures.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that religious involvement is generally linked to worse health outcomes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Research, including findings reported by the Mayo Clinic, generally associates religious involvement with improved health outcomes and greater longevity.
How does Albert Einstein characterize the relationship between science and religion?
Answer: Science provides the means, while religion determines the goals.
Explanation: Albert Einstein posited that science ascertains what *is* (means), while religion deals with evaluations of thought and action, determining goals.
What does the text suggest concerning the correlation between religiosity and national wealth?
Answer: Wealthy nations tend to be less religious.
Explanation: One study cited indicates a negative correlation between national wealth and religiosity, suggesting that inhabitants of wealthier nations are less likely to identify as religious.
According to the source, what is a common finding regarding the association between religious involvement and health outcomes?
Answer: It is generally linked to better health outcomes and greater longevity.
Explanation: Research indicates that religious involvement is commonly associated with improved health outcomes, including greater longevity and enhanced quality of life.
Anthropologist Jack David Eller's perspective on religion and violence posits that:
Answer: Violence is neither essential to nor exclusive to religion.
Explanation: Jack David Eller argues that violence is neither intrinsically part of religion nor exclusively found within it, suggesting a compatibility rather than a necessary link.
How does the Catholic Church view superstition?
Answer: As sinful and a deviation from religious feeling.
Explanation: The Catholic Church regards superstition as sinful, viewing it as a departure from authentic religious sentiment and a lack of trust in divine providence.
Which of the following is considered the true antonym of being 'religious' according to the text?
Answer: Irreligious or antireligion
Explanation: The text clarifies that 'irreligious' (absence of religion) or 'antireligion' (active opposition) are the true opposites of 'religious,' not necessarily atheism or agnosticism.
What significant event in 1893 is cited as an early interfaith initiative?
Answer: The Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago.
Explanation: The 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions, held in Chicago, is noted as a significant early interfaith initiative.