world relgions defining relgion

Question 1

What is the definition of religion?

Answer 1

the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods

Question 2

Generalizations we can make about religion (6)

Answer 2

1. usually deal with a person’s relationship with gods, spirits, ancestors, etc.
2. developed system of organized rituals, temples, priests, and a narrative
3. developed system of stories about these beings and rituals
4. some idea of life beyond death
5. they usually have a developed code of conduct or moral order
6. generally have attracted large followings at some point in history

Question 3

Abrahamic Religions

Answer 3

Judaism, christianity, islam

Question 4

Agnosticism

Answer 4

the philosophical position that the existence or non-existence of god is unknowable

Question 5

animism

Answer 5

the belief that every material form of reality has an indwelling spirit

Question 6

asceticism

Answer 6

a mode of life that excludes physical pleasures and self-indulgence in order to reach a higher spiritual state

Question 7

atheism

Answer 7

disbelief in any deity or supernatural power

Question 8

monotheism

Answer 8

a religion that believes in only 1 god

Question 9

henotheism

Answer 9

a belief that there is one god above all other gods

Question 10

heresy

Answer 10

a religious opinion or adherence to such an opinion, that is contrary to an established religious teaching

Question 11

orthodoxy

Answer 11

in agreement with the official doctrine of a given religion

Question 12

pantheism

Answer 12

all is god.

Question 13

polytheism

Answer 13

the belief in the existence of many gods

Question 14

profane

Answer 14

non religious, outside sphere of religion

Question 15

sacred

Answer 15

set apart for worship or a deity or as worthy of worship

Question 16

secular

Answer 16

wordy, not spiritual or religious

Question 17

myth

Answer 17

a story dealing with supernatural being that represents the worldview of a people

Question 18

nihilism

Answer 18

the viewpoint that all traditional beliefs are unfounded; that human life has no meaning

Question 19

rituals

Answer 19

prescribed religious ceremonies

Question 20

rite of passage

Answer 20

a ceremonial act or series of acts

Question 21

eschatology

Answer 21

the part of theology concerned with death, judgement and the soul of humankind

Question 22

fundamentalists

Answer 22

emphasize the first century when God’s word or a revelation of truth came to a prophet, teacher, or savior of God’s word must be preserved in the exact form it was received

Question 23

conservatives

Answer 23

agree with fundamentalists, except that they are willing to recognize that literal interpretations may result in unintended and unacceptable contradictions; may select a role model

Question 24

liberals

Answer 24

prefer the use of reason in interpreting the original message of the first century and the changes made by conservatives in later centuries; pride themselves on applying the latest human knowledge in religious practices

Question 25

radicals

Answer 25

strike at the perceived root of any problem, sometimes pushing a dogmatic application of beliefs that the religion has neglected for centuries. believes the end justifies the means