Chapter Six

Question 1

Atheism

Answer 1

Belief that God does not exist.

Question 2

Agnosticism

Answer 2

Belief that the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven empirically.

Question 3

Universalizing Religions

Answer 3

To appeal to all people, wherever they may live in the world, not just to those of one culture or location.

Question 4

Ethnic Religions

Answer 4

Appeal primarily to one ethnic or cultural group, or the people of a specific region.

Question 5

Congregation

Answer 5

A local assembly of persons brought together for common religious worship.

Question 6

Denomination

Answer 6

Unites a number of local congregations in a single legal and administrative body.

Question 7

Branch

Answer 7

A large and fundamental division within a religion.

Question 8

Syncretic

Answer 8

Combining several religious traditions.

Question 9

Animism

Answer 9

Elements of the natural world such as plants, stones, and events such as thunderstorms and earthquakes, are “animated,” or have discrete spirits and conscious life.

Question 10

Monotheism

Answer 10

Belief that there is only one God.

Question 11

Polytheism

Answer 11

Belief in or worship of more than one god.

Question 12

Autonomous Religions

Answer 12

A religion that does not have a central authority but shares ideas and cooperates informally. (Islam/Protestant denominations are good examples)

Question 13

Hierarchical Religion

Answer 13

Has a well-defined geographic structure and organizes territory into local administrative units. (Mormons and Roman Catholic)

Question 14

Cosmogony

Answer 14

A set of religious beliefs concerning the origin of the universe.

Question 15

Solar Calendar

Answer 15

Has months that correspond to the season or the apparent position of the sun in relation to the stars.

Question 16

Lunar Calendar

Answer 16

Has months that correspond to cycles of moon phases.

Question 17

Lunisolar Calendar

Answer 17

Has lunar months that are brought into alignment with the solar year through periodic adjustment.

Question 18

Solstice

Answer 18

An astronomical event that happens twice each year, when the tilt of Earth’s axis is most inclined toward or away from the sun, causing the sun’s apparent position in the sky to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme, and resulting in the shortest or longest days of the year.

Question 19

Fundamentalism

Answer 19

A literal interpretation and a strict and intense adherence to what the fundamentalists define as the basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect).

Question 20

Caste System

Answer 20

The class or distinct hereditary order into which a Hindu is assigned, according to religious law.