Question 1

Which of the following is a likely outcome of increased religiosity?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that increased religiosity is often associated with a reduction in criminal behavior and delinquency, as well as other positive social outcomes such as greater community involvement and charitable giving. However, there is no evidence to suggest that increased religiosity leads to health benefits or shorter marriages. While more sects, cults, and churches could result from increased religiosity, it is not necessarily a likely or inevitable outcome.

Question 2

How does the rational choice perspective view churches?

Accepted Answer

The rational choice perspective views churches as suppliers, meaning they provide goods and services to meet the demands and needs of their consumers (members). This perspective sees churches as voluntary associations that individuals choose to join based on a cost-benefit analysis, where the benefits received (such as community, social status, and spiritual fulfillment) outweigh the costs (such as time and financial investments). This view emphasizes the importance of individual choice and rationality in understanding religious behavior.

Question 3

Tom has had a death in the family and is suffering from financial problems.He is looking for a religious explanation to his struggles.He feels he is at a turning point in his life.According to Lofland and Stark (1965),what is true about Tom?

Accepted Answer

According to Lofland and Stark's theory of conversion, individuals who are going through personal crises or have experienced a loss may be more open to religious conversion. Tom's struggles with the death in the family and financial problems make him a potential candidate for conversion. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Options A, B, and D do not apply to the situation described.

Question 4

After surviving a battle with cancer,Sharon begins to attend church each Sunday.After several months,she develops a renewed sense of who she is and what she can accomplish.How would a sociologist following Durkheim characterize this?

Accepted Answer

According to Durkheim, religion provides individuals with a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Sharon's renewed sense of self and accomplishment after attending church regularly suggests that the church has provided her with such a sense of meaning and purpose. Therefore, the best choice is D, "The church provides meaning and purpose to Sharon's life."

Question 5

Tom argues that religion is necessary for the overall stability of society because it helps people cope with job loss.Which theoretical perspective is Tom using?

Accepted Answer

Tom is arguing from the functionalist perspective that religion serves a necessary purpose in society, in this case helping people cope with job loss, which contributes to the overall stability of society.

Question 6

What term is used for a religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of a society?

Accepted Answer

A cult is a term used for a religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of a society. While terms like spiritual awakening, religious fragments, and religious conversion may describe various aspects of such groups, they do not specifically refer to the group itself as a cult.

Question 7

Religious people have higher birthrates than those who are not religious.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that religious people tend to have higher birthrates than those who are not religious, possibly due to their emphasis on family and values related to procreation.

Question 8

Most Canadians carry out some form of religious practice on their own.

Accepted Answer

According to a 2018 survey by the Angus Reid Institute, 61% of Canadians reported engaging in some form of personal religious practice, such as prayer, meditation or reading religious texts.

Question 9

Which of the following does NOT acknowledge specific gods or spirits but focuses on impersonal forces that may exist in people or natural objects?

Accepted Answer

Simple supernaturalism is a belief in the existence of impersonal supernatural forces rather than specific gods or spirits. Monotheism, theism, and polytheism all acknowledge specific gods or spirits.

Question 10

A relatively small religious group that has broken away from another religious organization is referred to as a cult.

Accepted Answer

The term "cult" has negative connotations and is often used to describe religious groups that are perceived as dangerous or having extreme beliefs. Therefore, it is more appropriate to use the term "new religious movement" or "alternative religion" instead of "cult".

Question 11

Genuflecting in a Catholic church must be done in a certain form and in certain circumstances.What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a ritual, which is a prescribed set of actions or words performed in a specific way and in a specific context for religious or spiritual purposes.

Question 12

Over 80 percent of adults believe God exists.

Accepted Answer

This is a statistic that has been reported by various surveys, such as the Pew Research Center's 2014 Religious Landscape Study.

Question 13

Indigenous peoples were included in the earliest census collections.

Accepted Answer

The earliest census collections, such as the first U.S. Census in 1790, did not include Indigenous peoples as part of the population count; they were often excluded from these counts or not considered citizens for census purposes.

Question 14

Who presented the argument that Calvinist religious teachings created wealth and led to the Industrial Revolution?

Accepted Answer

Weber, a German sociologist, presented the argument that Calvinist religious teachings, specifically the belief in predestination, led to the accumulation of wealth and the development of capitalist economic systems. This idea is known as the Protestant work ethic, and Weber argued that it played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of the influence of secularization on education?

Accepted Answer

Secularization in education refers to the process of removing religious elements or influences from educational settings. Renaming a Christmas concert to "Winter Celebration" is an example of this, as it shifts the focus from a specific religious holiday to a more inclusive, secular celebration.

Question 16

According to the text,where did religious organizations contribute to the Industrial Revolution?

Accepted Answer

The text mentions that religious organizations in Europe and Japan played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution, particularly in areas such as education and technological innovation. There is no mention of Australia or America in this context.

Question 17

Stephen was married in a Roman Catholic church,despite not attending weekly services.He does practise yoga for its spiritual benefits and believes in some tenets of Taoism.What has Stephen adopted?

Accepted Answer

Stephen has adopted various beliefs and practices from different religions, but does not belong to any one specific religion. This is known as religious fragments or spiritual eclectic.

Question 18

According to functionalists,which of the following is NOT a function of religion?

Accepted Answer

The idea that religion serves as an opiate for the masses is a criticism of religion from a conflict perspective. Functionalists argue that religion provides various functions for society, including meaning, social cohesion, and social control, but they do not argue that it serves as a means of manipulation or control over the masses.

Question 19

Through prayer,Kevin is able to cope with the death of his brother.Which function of religion is Kevin experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Kevin is finding meaning in his brother's death through prayer, which is a common function of religion.

Question 20

Which concept would explain Canadians drawing on religion to fulfill rites of passage such as baptisms,weddings,and funerals?

Accepted Answer

Religious consumption refers to the use of religious services and rituals for specific purposes, such as rites of passage, even if individuals do not regularly practice the religion otherwise.

Quiz 17: Religion