Question 1

Ethicalism is the ____________; examples of it are ____________.

Accepted Answer

Ethicalism refers to the adherence to ethical principles in order to live a moral life. Taoism and Buddhism are examples of this belief system, as they prioritize living a virtuous life and following ethical guidelines. The other answer choices refer to different belief systems altogether, such as animism (B), theism (D), and religion in general (A).

Question 2

Maria and Steve are on summer vacation in Greece.They want to go into an old church to view the artwork inside,but before they are allowed to enter the church,a volunteer church worker asks them both to cover their bare legs and arms and provides them with coverings.This example illustrates how:

Accepted Answer

The example demonstrates how places considered sacred (the old church) are set apart from what is considered profane (Maria and Steve's bare legs and arms) and require visitors to abide by certain rules (covering their skin) before entering. This illustrates the concept of sacred and profane dichotomy, which is part of the study of sociology of religion.

Question 3

Theism is the ____________; examples of it include ____________.

Accepted Answer

Theism is the belief in a god or gods, and Hinduism and Islam both involve worship of deities. Options A, B, and C all describe various belief systems but do not specifically involve the worship of gods.

Question 4

Animism is the ____________; examples of it are ____________.

Accepted Answer

Animism is the belief that spirits are present in the natural world. Examples of it are totemism and shamanism.

Question 5

Defined broadly,religion is:

Accepted Answer

While A, C, and D all touch on aspects of religion, they do not fully encompass the breadth of religious beliefs and practices. B, on the other hand, captures the shared elements of religion, including stories, beliefs, and practices around sacred things or beings that direct people's faith and actions.

Question 6

The second-largest religion in the world and in the United States is:

Accepted Answer

Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over 1.6 billion followers. It is also the second-largest religion in the United States, with an estimated 3.45 million Muslims living in the country as of 2017.

Question 7

Sacred things can include books,buildings,days,and places.From a sociological standpoint,the sacredness comes from:

Accepted Answer

Sacredness is not inherent in the object itself, but rather is created through the collective investment of the community. It is the symbolic meaning and significance that is attributed to the object that makes it sacred. This is evidenced by the fact that different communities may view different objects as sacred, and the same object may also have different levels of sacredness within different communities. The meaning given to the object by God or holy scriptures may be important for some communities, but it is the collective investment and agreement within the community that makes the object sacred.

Question 8

Christianity is considered a(n)____________ religion.

Accepted Answer

Christianity is considered a theistic religion as it believes in one God who is the creator and sustainer of the universe.

Question 9

A religious movement that makes some new claims about the supernatural and does not easily fit within the sect-church cycle is called:

Accepted Answer

A religious movement that makes new claims about the supernatural and does not fit within the sect-church cycle is often characterized as a cult. Cults often have a charismatic leader and may exhibit controlling behavior over members. However, the term "cult" can carry negative connotations and some argue that it is problematic to label any religious movement as such without understanding their beliefs and practices.

Question 10

Objects and behaviors that are profane are:

Accepted Answer

Profane objects and behaviors are those that are part of everyday life and are not considered sacred or holy.

Question 11

Which question is a sociologist of religion most likely to ask?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists of religion are concerned with how social factors shape religious beliefs, practices, and institutions. They study the role of religion in society and how it impacts individuals and groups. Option B specifically addresses this line of inquiry.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a way that sociologists study religion?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists do not determine which religions possess and profess absolute truths as this falls more within the realm of theology or philosophy. Sociologists study the social and cultural aspects of religion, including beliefs, practices, and their impacts on individuals and societies.

Question 13

Which of the following is a paradox about religion discussed in your text?

Accepted Answer

The paradox discussed in the text is that religions that are more demanding of their followers tend to grow faster than less strict religions, but as a religion grows larger, it tends to become less strict. This creates a paradox because the very thing that may have initially attracted followers to the religion (its strictness) may eventually be watered down as the religion grows and seeks to accommodate a wider range of belief systems and cultural practices.

Question 14

Approximately what percentage of people in the world identify themselves as Christian?

Accepted Answer

According to a study by the Pew Research Center in 2015, about 33 percent of the world population identifies themselves as Christian, which is the largest religious group in the world.

Question 15

The sacred realm is:

Accepted Answer

The sacred realm is often seen as a space that is set apart from everyday life and is mysterious and unknowable. It is considered special and reserved, and not a part of the mundane world. This perspective is common in many religious and spiritual traditions.

Question 16

As is the case within Christianity,denominational divisions exist within Islam.The main division is between which two groups?

Accepted Answer

The main denominational division within Islam is between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Sunnis make up the majority of Muslims, while Shiites are the minority. They differ in their beliefs about the proper successor to Prophet Muhammad and have some different practices and traditions.

Question 17

The ____________ population of the United States has grown since the 1960s due to immigration from countries like Indonesia,India,Pakistan,and Bangladesh,along with countries in the Middle East.

Accepted Answer

The given countries like Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and countries in the Middle East have a predominantly Muslim population, hence the Muslim population has grown in the United States due to immigration from these countries.

Question 18

A ____________ is a group of people who get together for worship.

Accepted Answer

While all of the choices refer to aspects of religious practices, a congregation specifically refers to a group of people who come together for worship. A denomination refers to a specific subgroup within a larger religion, such as Protestantism or Catholicism. Religion refers to a broader belief system and set of practices. A church can refer to a physical building or the formal organization of a religious group, but does not necessarily indicate the people who come together for worship.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is LEAST likely to be made by a sociologist?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists are expected to have a unbiased and objective perspective towards their object of study. Thus, it is unlikely that a sociologist would make a statement that dismisses the validity of certain religions. This goes against the principle of cultural relativism that guides sociological inquiry.

Question 20

Buddhists adhere to certain principles to lead moral lives.This is called:

Accepted Answer

Buddhists adhere to a system of ethical principles called ethicalism, which guides their behavior and actions towards others. Animism refers to the belief in spirits in nature, theism is the belief in one or more gods, and pluralism is the acceptance of diversity or different beliefs in society.

Quiz 16: Religion

Ethicalism is the ; examples of it are .