Religion: Ritual, Myth and the Cosmos

Question 1

The stereotypical “voodoo doll” would be an example of:

Answer 1

Imitative magic

Question 2

Edward B. Tylor argued that :

Answer 2

A cultural evolutionary model whereby religions evolved from animism to monotheism.

Question 3

Bronislaw Malinowski explained why myths:

Answer 3

Provide a charter for society in that they express core beliefs and teach morality.

Question 4

________ refers to belief systems in which the supernatural is conceived of as an impersonal power

Answer 4

Animatism

Question 5

Saami sacred spaces:

Answer 5

were repressed as sites of sacrifice with the arrival of Christianity but not forgotten.

Question 6

Which statement is true about all rituals?

a) They are sacred and conform to the beliefs expressed in myth and doctrine.
b) They occur regularly in a periodic fashion or at set times in the life cycle.
c) They are the enactment of beliefs expressed in myth and doctrine.
d) They are a patterned form of behaviour generally having to do with the supernatural realm.
e) They are performed in sacred spaces under the guidance of a religious specialist.

Answer 6

d) They are a patterned form of behaviour generally having to do with the supernatural realm.

Question 7

Cross-cultural research indicates that puberty rituals for girls are likely to occur where:

Answer 7

Female labour is important and valued.

Question 8

How do priests differ from shamans?

Answer 8

Priests perform periodic state rituals.

Question 9

The world religion with the largest number of followers is:

Answer 9

Christianity

Question 10

A _________ is usually organized by a prophetic leader who seeks to construct a more satisfying situation by reviving all or parts of a religion that has been threatened by outside forces.

Answer 10

Revitalization movement

Question 11

Stories about the actions and deeds of supernatural powers are called:

Answer 11

Myths

Question 12

Which statement about religion is true?

a) There are some primitive societies that have not religion.
b) All religons believe in the existence of gods.
c) people who live in complex societies are less religious than those who live in simple societies.
d) Some form of religion is universal among human societies.

Answer 12

d) Some form of religion is universal among human societies.

Question 13

Emile Durkheim’s theory of religion stressed the idea that:

Answer 13

When people periodically congregate for the performance of religious rituals they are promoting social solidarity.

Question 14

The use of rites and spells intended to cause supernatural forces to harm others is called:

Answer 14

Sorcery

Question 15

The belief that kin groups have a mystical relationship with specific animals, plants or inanimate objects is known as:

Answer 15

Totemism

Question 16

A cargo cult is a:

Answer 16

Revitalization movement

Question 17

True or False

Belief in spiritual beings is called a superstition.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

True or False

It is ethnocentric to define religion as ‘belief in God’.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Pilgrimages such as the Grand Pardon in Rocamadour, France:

a) are important travel sites for pilgrims
b) are important rituals for believers
c) are touristic events
d) are not about the journey, but about the destination

Answer 19

b) are important rituals for believers

Question 20

The logic of magic is that:

Answer 20

Nothing happens by accident or chance