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MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS 1.

Following Emile Durkheim, the ordinary elements of everyday life are correctly considered to be: a. sacred. b. profane. c. religion. d. ritual. (Conceptual; answer: b; page 488) 2.

The concept of sacred refers to what is: a. common to everyday life. b. found in every culture. c. seen as set apart from everyday life and extraordinary. d. no longer found in today’s world. (Conceptual; answer: c; page 488) 3.

Religion is a social institution that is best defined as involving: a. beliefs and practices concerning what is sacred. b. ideas about good and evil. c. a series of beliefs about creation. d. norms about how to live. (Conceptual; answer: a; page 488) 4.

Following Emile Durkheim, we would define things as profane when we understand them: a. in terms of the past. b. as set apart as “forbidden.” c. in terms of ultimate meanings. d. in terms of their everyday usefulness. (Conceptual; answer: d; page 488) 5.

Ritual is a matter of: a. formal, ceremonial behavior. b. who people socialize with. c. beliefs about truth. d. All of the above are correct. (Conceptual; answer: a; page 488)

6.

Faith is a way of knowing based on:

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a. scientific research. b. human senses. c. cultural common sense. d. conviction or belief in things unseen. (Conceptual; answer: d; page 489) 7.

Sociological analysis of religion is concerned with: a. understanding patterns of religious activity and their effect on society. b. which religions are true and which are false. c. the purpose of life. d. discerning the will of God. (Factual; answer: a; page 489) 8.

Which of the following concepts was used by Emile Durkheim to refer to an object in the natural world collectively defined as sacred? a. totem b. idol c. profanity d. symbol (Conceptual; answer: a; page 489) 9.

Durkheim pointed to three functions of religion for society. Which of the following is NOT one of them? a. fostering social cohesion b. fostering social conflict c. providing social control d. providing meaning and purpose (Factual; answer: b; page 489) 10.

Which of the following is a correct criticism of the structural-functional approach to religion? a. ignoring the effects of religion in everyday life b. ignoring how religion provides meaning in everyday life c. ignoring religion’s ability to generate social conflict d. ignoring the positive consequences of religion for society (Factual; answer: c; page 490) 11.

Guided by the symbolic-interaction approach, sociologists examine: a. how daily rituals sharpen the boundary between the sacred and profane. b. how religion gives our existence a measure of security and meaning. c. the use of ritual and religious meaning to strengthen social ties such as marriage. d. All of the above are correct. (Factual; answer: d; page 490) 12.

This chapter's "Seeing Sociology in the News" describes the importance of religious leaders for:

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a. discouraging drug use and other illegal activity. b. maintaining the boundary between church and state. c. helping immigrants whose traditions can be at odds with their new culture. d. helping scientists understand the ethical consequences of their work. (Factual; answer: c; page 490) 13.

Karl Marx believed that religion: a. focuses life on the present rather than the future. b. supports social inequality. c. treats existing society as secular. d. threatens the power of the state. (Factual; answer: b; page 491) 14.

An analysis of how religion supports the interests of a society's elites would fall under which of the following theoretical approaches? a. structural-functional approach b. symbolic-interaction approach c. social-conflict approach d. social-exchange approach (Applied; answer: c; page 490) 15.

What do the sacred texts of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have in common? a. support for patriarchy b. belief in multiple deities c. the same sacred symbols d. support for secularization (Factual; answer a; page 492) 16.

In his analysis of Protestantism and the rise of capitalism, Max Weber stated that Protestantism: a. held back the development of capitalism. b. supported the status quo. c. encouraged greater gender equality. d. stressed duty and hard work, boosting economic production and fostering the rise of capitalism. (Factual; answer: d; page 491) 17.

Following Max Weber's analysis of religion, we could say industrial capitalism is: a. disenchanted religion. b. a traditional religion. c. support for patriarchy. d. All of the above are correct. (Factual; answer: a; page 491-492) 18.

Which of the following concepts refers to the fusion of Christian principles with political activism, often Marxist in character?

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a. evangelism b. liberal Christianity c. liberation theology d. fundamentalism (Conceptual; answer: c; page 493) 19.

Supporters of liberation theology hope that this social movement will achieve which of the following goals? a. keeping politics out of the church b. helping people endure their suffering c. encouraging personal growth d. reducing social inequality and, especially, poverty (Applied; answer: d; page 493) 20.

A religious organization that is well integrated into the larger society is called a: a. church. b. sect. c. cult. d. All of the above are correct. (Conceptual; answer: a; page 493) 21.

Over the course of its history, the Roman Catholic Church has existed in various forms, including as a: a. state church. b. church. c. denomination. d. All of the above are correct. (Applied; answer: d; page 493) 22.

As the official Church of England, the Anglican Church, is correctly described as which of the following? a. sect b. state church c. cult d. All of the above are correct. (Factual; answer: b; page 493) 23.

In the United States, the Amish would be an example of a: a. state church. b. cult. c. sect. d. All of the above are correct. (Applied; answer: c; page 493) 24.

A sect is a type of religious organization that: a. supports the political state.

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b. is tightly linked to the larger society. c. is highly structured, with formally trained leaders. d. stands apart from the larger society. (Conceptual; answer: d; page 494) 25.

Which of the following typically forms as a breakaway group from some established religious organization? a. sect b. church c. cult d. state church (Conceptual; answer: a; page 493) 26.

A charismatic leader is most likely to be found in which of the following? a. church b. cult c. denomination d. state church (Applied; answer: b; page 494) 27.

Which of the following concepts refers to a religious organization that is largely outside a society’s cultural traditions? a. church b. sect c. cult d. denomination (Conceptual; answer: c; page 494) 28.

Which of the following religious organizations began as a cult? a. Islam b. Christianity c. Judaism d. All of the above are correct. (Factual; answer: d; page 494-495) 29.

Which of the following would you expect to be the least stable type of religious organizations? a. cult b. church c. denomination d. state church (Applied; answer: a; page 494) 30.

Animism is the belief that: a. God has a plan for the entire world.

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b. everything in the world is a conscious, living force that is able to affect us. c. nothing is sacred. d. people can find little meaning in their everyday lives. (Conceptual; answer: b; page 495) 31.

Animism is closely associated with which of the following societies? a. industrial b. European c. Native American d. agrarian (Factual; answer: c; page 495) 32.

The priesthood, a specialized occupation in charge of a large religious organization, first developed in which type of societies? a. hunting and gathering b. horticultural c. agrarian d. industrial (Factual; answer: c; page 496) 33.

Christianity is one example of which of the following types of religions? a. monotheism b. polytheism c. animism d. All of the above are correct. (Conceptual; answer: a; page 496) 34.

Polytheism refers to: a. acceptance of many religions as true. b. belief that all things in the world are sacred. c. belief in many gods. d. openness to new religious experience. (Conceptual; answer: c; page 496) 35.

A majority of people in which global region are Muslims? a. North America b. South America c. the Middle East d. Asia (Factual; answer: c; page 497)

36.

In the United States, the Muslim population includes which of the following? a. most Arab Americans

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b. many Asian Americans c. some African Americans d. All of the above are correct. (Factual; answer: d; page 496-497) 37.

The world's largest concentration of Jews (6 million) is found in: a. Europe. b. North America. c. Africa. d. Asia. (Factual; answer: b; page 498) 38.

Which of the following is the oldest of the world religions discussed in the text? a. Hinduism b. Judaism c. Christianity d. Islam (Factual; answer: a; page 499) 39.

The concept "karma" refers to: a. the Christian belief in salvation. b. the Hindu belief in the progress of the human soul. c. the Muslim desire to do God’s will. d. the first five books of the Jewish Bible. (Conceptual; answer: b; page 499) 40.

Buddhists are a majority of people in which of the following countries? a. India b. Saudi Arabia c. Japan d. Canada (Factual; answer: c; page 500) 41.

The founder of Buddhism was which of the following people? a. Siddhartha Gautama b. Muhammad c. Confucius d. Moses

(Factual; answer: a; page 500)

42.

Confucianism is closely linked to the traditional culture of: a. India.

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b. China. c. Japan. d. Iran. (Factual; answer: b; page 501) 43.

In general, compared to Eastern religions, Western religions: a. are deity-based. b. operate more ethical codes of conduct. c. are less clear about what is sacred and what is profane. d. All of the above are correct. (Applied; answer: a; page 501) 44.

On national surveys, about what percentage of people in the United States claim to believe in a divine power? a. 26 percent b. 46 percent c. 66 percent d. 93 percent (Factual; answer: d; page 502) 45.

In the United States, a majority of people (52.1 percent) claim to be: a. Catholic. b. Jewish. c. Protestant. d. Muslim. (Factual; answer: c; page 502) 46.

When all the evidence is considered, about what share of the U.S. population is really at least somewhat religious? a. 10 percent b. one-third c. two-thirds d. 90 percent (Factual; answer: b; page 502) 47.

In the United States, _____ are more religious than _____. a. older people; younger people b. women; men c. members of sects; members of churches d. All of the above are correct. (Factual; answer: d; page 502)

48.

All through the South, the largest number of Protestants are of which denomination? a. Lutheran

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b. Baptist c. Methodist d. Episcopalian (Factual; answer: b; page 503) 49.

Secularization refers to which of the following? a. The historical importance of religion in people’s lives. b. The historical increase in the importance of the sacred. c. The historical decline in the importance of the sacred. d. The historical concern of the church with social change. (Conceptual; answer: c; page 504) 50.

Which of the following is a correct example of civil religion? a. singing patriotic song on the Fourth of July b. tax exemptions for churches c. the sex scandal in the Catholic church d. high religiosity among members of sects (Applied; answer: a; page 505) 51.

The claim that the United States is a post-denomination society is based on a movement: a. away from religion. b. supporting spiritualism, but away from established denominations. c. toward greater church attendance. d. favoring rigid conformity to church doctrine. (Conceptual; answer: b; page 507) 52.

Read the four statements below. Which of the four is NOT a trait of religious fundamentalism? a. endorsing conservative political goals b. seeking the personal experience of God’s presence c. interpreting religious texts literally d. accepting religious pluralism (Factual; answer: d; page 507) 53.

Which of the following nations stands out as the most religious of all high-income countries? a. Japan b. Sweden c. the United States d. France (Factual; answer: c; page 509)

TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS

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54. The concept “sacred” refers to the familiar, everyday elements of life. (Conceptual; answer: F; page 488) 55. Religion is a social institution involving beliefs and practices based on what is sacred. (Conceptual; answer: T; page 488) 56. The same elements of life are defined as sacred throughout the world. (Factual; answer: F; page 488) 57. Ritual refers to activity in which the sacred is embodied into ceremonial behavior. (Conceptual; answer: T; page 488) 58. Faith refers to what we know to be true based on what our five senses tell us. (Conceptual; answer: F; page 489) 59.

Emile Durkheim claimed that, in religious life, people celebrate the awesome power of their society. (Factual; answer: T; page 489) 60. A totem is any object defined by members of a society as profane. (Conceptual; answer: F; page 489) 61. One of the functions of religion for society is to operate as a system of social control. (Applied; answer: T; page 489) 62.

The symbolic-interaction approach treats religion as socially constructed meaning that provides greater certainty and security for our lives. (Conceptual; answer: T; page 490) 63. Karl Marx investigated the positive functions of religion for social life. (Factual; answer: F; page 491) 64. All world religions define women as more morally worthy than men. (Factual; answer: F; page 492) 65. Max Weber linked the rise of industrial capitalism to Calvinist religious doctrine. (Conceptual; answer: T; page 493) 66. A church is a type of social organization well integrated into the larger society. (Conceptual; answer: T; page 493) 67. State churches are found in societies that hold to the “separation of church and state.” (Factual; answer: F; page 493) 68. Members of denominations typically accept religious pluralism. (Factual; answer: T; page 494)

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69. Charisma is a personal quality that lets someone draw others as followers. (Conceptual; answer: T; page 494) 70. Members of a sect accept the surrounding society as good. (Factual; answer: F; page 494) 71.

Churches place greater importance on the personal experience of conversion than sects do. (Factual; answer: F; page 493-494) 72. A cult is a religious organization well outside of a society’s cultural traditions. (Conceptual; answer: T; page 494) 73. Animism refers to the belief that God is an active force in the world. (Conceptual; answer: F; page 495) 74. Both Christianity and Islam are monotheistic. (Factual; answer: T; page 496) 75. In global perspective, most Muslims are not Arabs. (Factual; answer: T; page 496-497) 76. Polytheism refers to accepting many religions as true. (Conceptual; answer: F; page 496) 77. Christianity is one religion that has never experienced internal divisions. (Factual; answer: F; page 496) 78. To Muslims, Muhammad was not a divine being but Allah's messenger. (Factual; answer: T; page 496-497) 79. Judaism has the most followers of all world religions. (Factual; answer: F; page 498) 80. Hinduism is closely linked to the culture of India. (Factual; answer: T; page 499) 81. Confucianism is closely linked to the culture of the Middle East. (Factual; answer: F; page 501) 82. Eastern religions may be correctly described as ethical codes of conduct. (Factual; answer: T; page 501) 83.

Compared to Eastern religions, Western religions make a more clear distinction between the sacred and profane.

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(Applied; answer: T; page 501) 84. The United States is a less religious society than, say, Japan or Sweden. (Factual; answer: F; page 501) 85.

In the United States, some religion denominations (such as Episcopalians) have higher average social standing than others (such as Baptists). (Factual; answer: T; page 502) 86. Secularization refers to the historical rise in the importance of religion. (Conceptual; answer: F; page 504) 87.

The concept "civil religion" refers to tolerating practices and beliefs that differ from your own. (Conceptual; answer: F; page 505) 88.

“Seekers” who pursue “New Age” spirituality believe that everything and everyone is connected by a divine force or plan. (Factual; answer: T; page 506) 89. Most spiritual “seekers” are closely tied to established denominations. (Factual; answer: F; page 507) 90.

In the United States, people who hold fundamentalist beliefs generally support traditional, otherworldly religion. (Factual; answer: T; page 507)

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

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91. What is the distinction between the sacred and the profane? (Conceptual; page 488) 92. What are three societal functions of religion pointed out by Emile Durkheim? (Conceptual; page 489) 93. In one sentence, what was Karl Marx’s concern about the effects of religion on society? (Conceptual; page 490-491) 94. What is Max Weber’s thesis regarding Protestantism and capitalism? (Conceptual; page 491) 95.

How are each of these types of religious organizations distinctive: (a) church, (b) sect, and (c) cult? (Conceptual; page 493-494) 96. Identify six major world religions. Which is the largest in terms of number of followers? (Factual; page 496) 97. What are two ways in which Eastern and Western religions differ? (Applied; page 501) 98. Why do researchers have difficulty measuring religiosity? (Factual; page 502) 99. What is secularization? (Conceptual; page 504) 100. How do spiritual “seekers” differ from members of established churches? (Conceptual; page 507)

ESSAY QUESTIONS/TOPICS FOR SHORT PAPERS

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101.

Based on the ideas of Emile Durkheim, identify three functions of religion for society. In light of these functions, do you think that a decline in the importance of religion might threaten U.S. society? If so, how? Could the family and, perhaps, the school “take over” some of religion’s functions? Why or why not? (Applied) 102.

Discuss the various types of religious organizations: church (and its two sub-types, state church and denomination), sect, and cult. Exactly how are they different? Is one kind of organization “better” than another? If so, how and why? Do they come into being for the same reasons? What evidence is there that they appeal to different categories of people? (Conceptual) 103.

Compare and contrast the six world religions surveyed in the chapter. What do they have in common? How do they differ? What are the general differences between Western and Eastern religions? (Factual) 104.

How strong is religiosity in the United States? Obviously, the answer to this question depends on precisely how one measures “religiosity.” Discuss various ways to do this and how they yield somewhat different pictures of religiosity. (Conceptual) 105.

What is secularization? Is secularization a reality in the United States? That is, is religion getting weaker, stronger, or simply changing its character? Provide evidence to support your arguments. (Conceptual) 106.

What factors lead some analysts to characterize the United States as a “postdenominational” society? How do "seekers" pursue spirituality without being connected to traditional religious organizations? (Conceptual) 107.

Read the Sociology in the News story for this chapter, found on page 490...