Rubenstein-Chapter 6: Religion

Question 1

Animism

Answer 1

Belief that objects, such as plants and stones, or natural events, like thunderstorms and earthquakes, have a discrete spirit and conscious life.

Question 2

Autonomous Religion

Answer 2

A religion that does not have a central authority but shares ideas and cooperates informally.

Question 3

Branch

Answer 3

A large and fundamental division within a religion.

Question 4

Caste

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Cosmogony

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Denomination

Answer 6

A division of a branch that unites a number of local congregations into a single legal and administrative body.

Question 7

Ethnic Religion

Answer 7

A religion with a relatively concentrated spatial distribution whose principles are likely to be based on the physical characteristics of the particular location in which its adherents are concentrated.

Question 8

Fundamentalism

Answer 8

Literal interpretation and strict adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect).

Question 9

Ghetto

Answer 9

During the Middle Ages, a neighborhood in a city set up by law to be inhabited only by Jews; now used to denote a section of a city in which members of any minority group live because of social, legal, or economic pressure.

Question 10

Hierarchical Religion

Answer 10

A religion in which a central authority exercises a high degree of control.

Question 11

Missionary

Answer 11

An individual who helps to diffuse a universalizing religion.

Question 12

Monotheism

Answer 12

The doctrine or belief of the existence of only one god.

Question 13

Pagan

Answer 13

A follower of a polytheistic religion in ancient times.

Question 14

Pilgrimage

Answer 14

A journey to a place considered sacred for religious purposes.

Question 15

Polytheism

Answer 15

Belief in or worship of more than one god.

Question 16

Sect

Answer 16

A relatively small group that has broken away from an established denomination.

Question 17

Solstice

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Universalizing Religion

Answer 18

A religion that attempts to appeal to all people, not just those living in a particular location.