Religion

Question 1

Is religion universal?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Definition of religion

Answer 2

culturally constructed beliefs and practices concerned with supernatural forces and personalities

Question 3

Anthropological approach for studying religion

Answer 3

Focus is on the role religion plays in human life

Question 4

Evolutionary approach to studying religion

Answer 4

religion or its constitutive components are an adaptation for individual and group survival. The abilities associated with experiencing the supernatural are hardwired in the brain

Question 5

Functionalistic approach to studying religion

Answer 5

religion as social “glue”, religion provides common values to make individuals WANT to do what they MUST do if social order is to be achieved, provide models of and for society

Question 6

Psychodynamic approach to studying religion

Answer 6

religions help to manage human emotions that are both fragile and volatile, religions are culturally constituted mechanism in times of stress

Question 7

Symbolic approach to studying religion

Answer 7

religions are a cultural text that can be deciphered (cultural meanings, human universals, invoke emotional responses)

Question 8

Hyperactive-Agency Detection Device (Evolutionary)

Answer 8

believing in the purposeful (supernatural) action behind events

Question 9

Costly Signaling (Evolutionary)

Answer 9

honest displays of group commitment, solidarity

Question 10

Minimally counter-intuitive ideas (evolutionary)

Answer 10

share morals through “catchy” narratives

Question 11

Monotheism

Answer 11

believing that there is only one high god and that all other supernatural beings are subordinate to, or are alternative manifestations of, this supreme being

Question 12

Polytheism

Answer 12

recognizing many gods, none of whom is believed to be superordinate

Question 13

Sorcery

Answer 13

use of materials, objects and medicines to invoke supernatural malevolence

Question 14

Witchcraft

Answer 14

thoughts and emotions (often unintentional) used to invoke supernatural malevolence

Question 15

Magic

Answer 15

the performance of certain rituals believed to compel the supernatural powers to act in particular ways, manipulation of the supernatural for good or evil

Question 16

Types of magic

Answer 16

law of similarity (sympathetic magic) and/or law of contagion

Question 17

Types of religious practitioners

Answer 17

priest, shaman, sorcerer, witch, medium

Question 18

Priest

Answer 18

usually a full-time male specialists with high status who is able to relate to superior or high gods beyond the ordinary person’s access or control

Question 19

Shaman

Answer 19

usually a part-time male specialist with high status and healing abilities

Question 20

Sorcerer

Answer 20

a practitioner usually of low status who uses certain materials to invoke supernatural powers to harm people

Question 21

Witch

Answer 21

a practitioner usually of low status who harms others by supernatural means through only the use of emotions and thought (it may be unconscious intention that they are not aware of)

Question 22

Medium

Answer 22

usually a part-time female practitioner who heals and divines while in possession trances