GE ELECTIVE 1

• What is the open-minded approach to religion?


  Welcoming contradictory ideas for growth
• Why is the academic approach important in this course?

  It is a requirement in the college program
• What does the interdisciplinary approach involve?

  Studying religion from various disciplines
• What does the believer's or observer's approach depend on?

  Positionality of the student regarding faith
• What is the etymological definition of religion in Latin?

  Re elegare means "to rebind"
• How does religion relate to the relationship between humans and God?

  It unites people with God after sin
• What does the term "religion" oppose in Roman culture?

  Superstition
• What did religion refer to in Roman culture?

  Socially acceptable practices relating to gods
• How was Christianity viewed initially in Roman culture?

  As a superstition
• What is the dictionary meaning of religion?

  An organized system of beliefs and ceremonies
• What does "organized" refer to in the context of religion?

  Social institutions like churches or nations
• What are ceremonies in religion?

  Formal activities like praying or rituals
• What do rules in religion regulate?

  People's actions and moral codes
• What is a characteristic of religion regarding supernatural beings?

  Belief in a supernatural being (God)
• What does the distinction between sacred and profane refer to?

  Separation of holy and ordinary aspects
• What are ritual acts in religion focused on?

  Sacred or profane objects
• What does religious feeling of awe signify?

  A deep respect and wonder for the divine
• What does direct communication with a divine being imply?

  Interaction with God or gods
• What worldview does religion provide?

  Concerning humanity's role in the universe
• What does collective organization in religion refer to?

  Community bound by shared beliefs
• What are "family resemblances" in religion?

  Similar characteristics without exact definitions
• What is the substantive definition of religion?

  Worship of sacred beings and doctrines
• What does the functional definition of religion emphasize?

  Uniting people and regulating moral life
• Who proposed the definition of religion as a unified system?

  Emile Durkheim
• What does the consolatory definition of religion address?

  Human longing for explanations of existence
• How does religion help with human difficulties?

  It provides coping mechanisms for problems
• What does religion provide according to Russell's definition?

  A comprehensive worldview and integration of experiences
• What is theism?

  A theory affirming the existence of God
• What does atheism deny?

  The existence of God
• What is monotheism?

  The belief in only one God
• What does polytheism assert?

  There are many gods
• What is pantheism?

  Everything is God
• What does animism believe?

  God resides in natural objects
• What does agnosticism stress?

  God cannot be known by human reason
• What does fideism maintain?

  God can only be known by faith
• What is a cult?

  An underground, small, organized religion
• What is a sect?

  A religion with unpopular fundamentalist doctrines
• What is a denomination?

  A mainstream religion with large membership
• What does ecclesia refer to?

  A religion where most members belong to society
• How does religion interact with history?

  Development of religions depends on historical events