Exam 17: Religion

Describe the basic beliefs of Islam.

According to sociologist Karl Marx,religion unites the masses under a "______________" so that they share common interests with members of the dominant class.

Political leaders often use religion to justify their decisions,stating that they have prayed for guidance in deciding what to do.This informal relationship between religion and the state has been referred to as:

Some sociologists believe that a more accurate metaphor for religion______________in the global village is that of the______________,in which religious institutions and traditions compete for adherents,and worshippers shop for a religion in much the same way that consumers decide what goods and services they will purchase.

Central to Hindu teachings is the belief that individual souls enter the world and roam the universe until they break free into the limitless atmosphere of illumination known as:

The central themes in the teachings of Jesus are the kingdom of God and standards of personal conduct for adherents of______________.Jesus emphasized the importance of righteousness before God and of praying to the Supreme Being for guidance in the daily affairs of life.

Central to Hindu teachings is the belief that individual souls enter the world and roam the universe until they break free into the limitless atmosphere of illumination by discovering their own (duties or responsibilities).

______________ Judaism is based on the belief that the Torah is binding only in its moral teachings and that adherents should no longer be required to follow all of the Talmud,the compilation of Jewish law setting forth the strict rabbinic teachings on practices such as food preparation,rituals,and dress.

______________ is the belief that plants,animals,or other elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits or life forces having an impact on events in society.

Polarization is the process by which religious beliefs,practices,and institutions lose their significance in sectors of society and culture.It involves a decline of religion in everyday life and a corresponding increase in organizations that are highly bureaucratized,fragmented,and impersonal.

Describe the basic beliefs of Christianity.

From a functionalist perspective,religion has three important functions in any society: providing meaning and purpose to life,promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging,and providing social control and support for the government.

A category of religion called______________refers to a belief in a god or gods.

In very simple preindustrial societies,religion often takes the form of______________-the belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives either positively or negatively.

Describe the basic beliefs of Confucianism.

Today,approximately______________people refer to themselves as Christians.The majority of Christians live in North or South America or in Europe.

According to sociologist Emile Durkheim,sacred refers to those aspects of life that are extraordinary or supernatural (those things that are set apart as "holy").People feel a sense of awe,reverence,deep respect,or fear of that which is considered sacred.

A______________is a loosely organized religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of a society.Leadership is based on charismatic characteristics of the individual leader.

Although Judaism has fewer adherents worldwide than some other major religions,its influence is deeply felt in Western culture.Today,there are an estimated______________million Jews worldwide;however,the majority reside in the United States,Israel,France,and Russia.

Secular humanism is the belief that human beings can become better through their own efforts rather than through belief in God and a religious conversion.