Chapter 15: Religion

Denomination

A large, mainstream religion that is not sponsored by the state

Monotheism

A religion based on belief in a single diety

Polytheism

A religion based on believe in multiple deities

Ecclesia

A religion that is considered the state religion

Sect

A small, new offshoot of a denomination

Religion

A system of beliefs, values, and practices concerning what a person holds to be sacred or spiritually significant

What do Christianity and Islam have in common?

Both believe in a single supreme God; Both share many of the same stories in their central religious texts; Both believe in an afterlife

The Protestant work ethic was viewed in terms of its relationship to:

Capitalism

In what part of the world have Confucianism and Taoism been primarily practiced?

China

What are some denominations of the Christian protestant church?

Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist

Which of the following do the functionalist and conflict perspectives share?

Position that religion relates to social control, enforcing social norms

In what ways does religion serve the role of a social institution?

Religions have a complex and integrated set of norms; Religious practices and beliefs are related to societal values; Religions often meet several basic needs

Some controversial groups that may be mislabeled as cults include:

Scientology and the Hare Krishna

Religious experience

The conviction or sensation that one is connected to "the divine"

Animism

The religion that believes in the divinity of non-human beings, like animals, plants, and objects of the natural world

Liberation theology

The use of a church to promote social change via the political arena

Megachurch

a Christian church that has a very large congregation averaging more than 2,000 people who attend regular weekly services

Religious rituals

behaviors or practices that are either required for or expected of the members of a particular group

Totemism

belief in a divine connection between humans and other natural beings

Which socialist perspective most emphasizes the ways in which religion helps to maintain social inequalities within a society?

conflict theory

The main difference between an ecclesia and a denomination is:

ecclesia are state-sponsored and considered an official religion

Which perspective most emphasizes the ways in which religion helps Keep the social system running smoothly?

functional perspective

A cultural universal is something that:

is found in all cultures

Megachurches tend to have:

large arenas where services are held

Social scientists refer to the use of a church to combat social injustice in the political realm as:

liberation theology

Cults

religious groups that are small, secretive, and highly controlling of members and have a charismatic leader

Established sects

sects that last but do not become denominations

Many stories in the sacred text of Judaism are:

shared by Christianity and Islam

Religious beliefs

specific ideas that members of a particular faith hold to be true

Which of the main theoretical perspectives would approach religion from the micro-level, studying how religion impacts an individual's sense of support and well-being?

symbolic interactionism

Atheism

the belief in no deities