Theoretical Approaches Toward the Study of Religion

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Question #1

Perhaps most importantly, religions create a sense of _____ in a life that can otherwise feel out of control and meaningless for people.

A magic

B death rituals

C myth

D meaning

E ritual

Question #2

A meaning

B magic

C death rituals

D ritual

E myth

Question #3

At the same time, most religious groups do believe in some kind of _____ or petitionary efforts intended to change the fates of people.

A meaning

B death rituals

C myth

D magic

E ritual

Question #4

_____ are funerary rituals that exist in most cultures and most religions.

A magic

B meaning

C death rituals

D myth

E ritual

Question #5

It is very challenging to define “religion” because it exists with great diversity and there is no one, unifying characteristic that can be found in all religions. However, there are some common characteristics that you might find in most religions. For example, most religions do incorporate some element of _____ or repeated event that binds the community together.

A magic

B meaning

C ritual

D death rituals

E myth

Question #6

According to Malinowski, religion offers people _______ and a sense of ________.

A magic; sacrifice

B money; power

C comfort; control

Question #7

According to Durkheim, religion helps a community maintain a sense of _________ .

A powerlessness

B superstition

C social rules

Question #8

In Geertz’ view, the symbols used in religion help to establish ________ in people which changes their behavior.

A motivations

B superstitions

C ignorance

Question #9

Clifford Geertz argued that religion can be studied ________ .

A politically

B functionally

C symbolically

Question #10

In anthropology, the Marxist Approach examines the _________ that exist within and across cultural groups.

A linear evolution

B equal distribution of power

C power imbalances

Question #11

Marx and Engels argued that the “false consciousness” of capitalism helped to keep workers ________ in a system that exploits labor.

A cooperative

B educated

C empowered

D informed

Question #12

Marx’s critique of capitalism is based on the _________.

A inevitable competition for resources

B fair distribution of resources

C uneven distribution of resources

Question #13

R. R. Marrett argued that human beings typically developed religion when they first felt ______ in the face of nature.

A security

B joy

C fear

D control

Question #14

Match the term to its definition: Christianity

A A major world religion that includes Catholicism and Protestantism.

B The belief in spirit beings.

C A cultural structure that typically includes magical belief, ritual, morality, and the building of community.

D The belief that the human mind cannot conceive of the divine.

Question #15

Match the term to its definition: Protestant Work Ethic

A Theoretical approach that argues that human religion spreads along trade routes

B The idea that all types of work fulfill God’s calling.

C The theoretical approach that argues that human cultures adapt and change over time.

D A cultural structure that typically includes magical belief, ritual, morality, and the building of community.

Question #16

Match the term to its definition: Mana

A The belief that the human mind cannot conceive of the divine.

B The development of religion inspired by the power of nature.

C Theoretical approach that argues that human religion spreads along trade routes

D Polynesian/ Melanesian word for supernatural force found in nature.

Question #17

Match the term to its definition: Animatism

A The development of religion inspired by the power of nature.

B A major world religion that includes Catholicism and Protestantism.

C Polynesian/ Melanesian word for supernatural force found in nature.

D The idea that all types of work fulfill God’s calling.

Question #18

Match the term to its definition: Diffusionism

A Theoretical approach that argues that human religion spreads along trade routes

B The theoretical approach that argues that human cultures adapt and change over time.

C The belief in spirit beings.

D The belief that the human mind cannot conceive of the divine.

Question #19

Match the term to its definition: Transmigration

A The development of religion inspired by the power of nature.

B Theoretical approach that argues that human religion spreads along trade routes

C Polynesian/ Melanesian word for supernatural force found in nature.

D The survival, in some form, of the human soul after death.

Question #20

Match the term to its definition: Religion

A A cultural structure that typically includes magical belief, ritual, morality, and the building of community.

B The belief that the human mind cannot conceive of the divine.

C The belief in spirit beings.

D The survival, in some form, of the human soul after death.

Question #21

Match the term to its definition: Agnostic

A The belief that the human mind cannot conceive of the divine.

B Polynesian/ Melanesian word for supernatural force found in nature.

C The development of religion inspired by the power of nature.

D Theoretical approach that argues that human religion spreads along trade routes

Question #22

Match the term to its definition: Animism

A The belief that the human mind cannot conceive of the divine.

B The belief in spirit beings.

C A cultural structure that typically includes magical belief, ritual, morality, and the building of community.

D The survival, in some form, of the human soul after death.

Question #23

Match the term to its definition: Cultural Evolutionism

A The theoretical approach that argues that human cultures adapt and change over time.

B A cultural structure that typically includes magical belief, ritual, morality, and the building of community.

C The belief that the human mind cannot conceive of the divine.

D The belief in spirit beings.

Question #24

Match the social scientist to its argument: Marx and Engels

A Animatism

B Cultural Evolutionism

C Religion comforts the working class

D Protestant Work Ethic

Question #25

Match the social scientist to its argument: Durkheim

A Religion expresses moods and motivations through symbols

B Religion encourages good behavior

C Animatism

D Religion comforts and offers a sense of control

Question #26

Match the social scientist to its argument: Malinowski

A Cultural Evolutionism

B Religion comforts and offers a sense of control

C Protestant Work Ethic

D Religion expresses moods and motivations through symbols

Question #27

Match the social scientist to its argument: Geertz

A Religion comforts and offers a sense of control

B Religion expresses moods and motivations through symbols

C Religion encourages good behavior

D Religion comforts the working class

Question #28

Match the social scientist to its argument: Weber

A Religion comforts the working class

B Protestant Work Ethic

C Cultural Evolutionism

D Animatism

Question #29

Match the social scientist to its argument: Marrett

A Religion expresses moods and motivations through symbols

B Animatism

C Religion encourages good behavior

D Religion comforts and offers a sense of control

Question #30

Match the social scientist to its argument: Tylor

A Religion expresses moods and motivations through symbols

B Cultural Evolutionism

C Animatism

D Protestant Work Ethic

Question #31

Cultural evolutionism argues that cultural structures _________ over time.

A are eliminated by those in power

B spread along trade routes

C change and adapt

D remain stagnant

Question #32

There is no universal agreement on the arguments made by E.B. Tylor. Some argue that he claimed that cultures evolve in a ______ manner, but Eric K. Reed argues that, actually, Tylor never specifically made that point.

A religious

B linear

C adaptive

Question #33

Anthropologists ______ interested in the truth or falsity of religion.

A are not

B are

Question #34

Which of the following are common characteristics of religion?

A community and scientific basis

B belief in a supernatural being(s), moral guidance, and community

C belief in a supernatural being(s), moral guidance, and scientific basis

D moral guidance and scientific basis

Question #35

We use the term ______ to refer to a person who group who believes that the human mind can not fully conceive of the divine.

A positivist

B agnostic

C atheist

D anotheist

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Theoretical Approaches Toward the Study of Religion

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