Religion

Question 1

What is religion?

Answer 1

a system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things

Question 2

why is religion prevalent in all societies?

Answer 2

religion is a fundamental feature of all societies because it provides answers to questions

Question 3

common elements of religion

Answer 3

divide experiences into sacred and profane, set of beliefs (about the supernatural), set of rituals, and community of believers

Question 4

functions of religion

Answer 4

provides security/emotional support, helps through time of crisis/need, social cement - brings people together, sense of belonging, and teaches and reinforces norms and supports tradition

Question 5

Western religion characteristics

Answer 5

• Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
• Monotheistic
• Sense of conflict between spiritual and secular
• Time viewed as linear
• Importance of sacred texts

Question 6

Eastern religion characteristics

Answer 6

• Hinduism, Buddhism, and Shintoism
• Multiple deities, sub-deities
• balance of spiritual and worldly elements
• time viewed as cyclical (reincarnation)

Question 7

church

Answer 7

large religious organization, well-integrated in society, well-established, stable over time, and can be a denomination or ecclesia

Question 8

ecclesia

Answer 8

formally allied with the state

Question 9

denomination

Answer 9

independent of the state

Question 10

sect

Answer 10

• considerably smaller
• resists accommodation with larger society
• sometimes isolate from others
• often have charismatic leaders
• tend to recruit outsiders; proselytizing
• less stable than churches; usually either disappear or evolve into established churches

Question 11

Cult

Answer 11

• Outside the dominant religious traditions of a society; a dissident religion
• usually viewed negatively due to unconventional principles and practices
• usually arise in times of social change and stress
• usually a charismatic leader offers a new and unprecedented message
• some embrace an entire lifestyle
• most are short-lived

Question 12

Atheist

Answer 12

deny existence of God or gods

Question 13

Agnostic

Answer 13

belief that we can’t prove the existence or non-existence of deity

Question 14

6 beliefs of Islam

Answer 14

1. Belief in God
2. Belief in Angels
3. Belief in God’s revealed books
4. Belief in the prophets and messengers of God
5. Belief in the day of judgment
6. Belief in Divine Predestination

Question 15

5 pillars of Islam

Answer 15

1. Declaration of belief (Shahada)
2. Prayer (Salat)
3. Fasting (Sawm
4. Purification of wealth (Zakat)
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Question 16

Women and Islam

Answer 16

most Muslims who accept Islam as adults are women, need to recognize that many of the inequities Muslim women face are the result of cultural or political traditions, not the teachings of Islam, according to Qur’an, women and men are equal in moral and legal responsibilities