Question 1

It is probably best for defining a difficult term like "religion" just to consult the dictionary.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

It is simply impossible to define "religion" adequately, and so it is best that we just leave it undefined.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

According to the author, reductionism and functional equivalence offer a sufficient definition of religion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

What is the definition of the following term:
-too broad:

Accepted Answer

The nature of a definition of

Question 5

What is the definition of the following term:
-transmundane:

Accepted Answer

Having the quality o

Question 6

In defining "religion," the author uses the example of

Accepted Answer

A)  trying to define "god" or "spirit" to an atheist. 
B)  trying to define "nirvana" or "enlightenment" to a non-Buddhist. 
C)  trying to define "tire" or "hubcap" to a mechanic. 
D)  trying to define "party" or "game" to an alien. 
A)  trying to define "god" or "spirit" to an atheist. 
B)  trying to define "nirvana" or "enlightenment" to a non-Buddhist. 
C)  trying to define "tire" or "hubcap" to a mechanic. 
D)  trying to define "party" or "game" to an alien.

Question 7

What is the definition of the following term:
-functions (of religion):

Accepted Answer

Specifications of wh

Question 8

What is the definition of the following term:
-reductionism:

Accepted Answer

The definition or study of a r

Question 9

According to the author, reductionistic definitions of religion

Accepted Answer

A)  are insufficient because they reduce many elements of religion to a single function. 
B)  are insufficient because they are Marxist. 
C)  are insufficient because they tell us nothing at all about religion. 
D)  are useful for truly intelligent people who understand religion's real nature. 
A)  are insufficient because they reduce many elements of religion to a single function. 
B)  are insufficient because they are Marxist. 
C)  are insufficient because they tell us nothing at all about religion. 
D)  are useful for truly intelligent people who understand religion's real nature.

Question 10

According to the author, "Religion is a set of personal beliefs" is

Accepted Answer

A)  too broad for a definition of religion. 
B)  too narrow for a definition of religion. 
C)  a perfect definition of religion. 
D)  just so clearly false it is unworthy of consideration. 
A)  too broad for a definition of religion. 
B)  too narrow for a definition of religion. 
C)  a perfect definition of religion. 
D)  just so clearly false it is unworthy of consideration.

Question 11

There are many distinct but interwoven elements of religion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Choose an example of a definition of religion from the text, or one you suggest yourself, and evaluate it using a dialectic of definition and examples.

Accepted Answer

One example of a definition of religion

Question 13

Immanuel Kant's definition of religion as given in the text focuses on what elements of religion?

Accepted Answer

A)  beliefs 
B)  practices 
C)  feelings 
D)  all of the above 
A)  beliefs 
B)  practices 
C)  feelings 
D)  all of the above

Question 14

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided.
-Too Narrow

Accepted Answer

A)  The defining content of what religion is about, the "stuff" of religion. 
B)  The nature of a definition of religion that is so general that it includes items that are not religion. 
C)  The nature of a definition of religion that specifies too much content and so omits some religions. 
D)  A tendency to interpret a complex phenomenon (like religion) in terms of only one of its functions. 
E)  The various social and psychological effects of religion, for example, how it helps people respond to suffering. 
A)  The defining content of what religion is about, the "stuff" of religion. 
B)  The nature of a definition of religion that is so general that it includes items that are not religion. 
C)  The nature of a definition of religion that specifies too much content and so omits some religions. 
D)  A tendency to interpret a complex phenomenon (like religion) in terms of only one of its functions. 
E)  The various social and psychological effects of religion, for example, how it helps people respond to suffering.

Question 15

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided.
-Substance

Accepted Answer

A)  The defining content of what religion is about, the "stuff" of religion. 
B)  The nature of a definition of religion that is so general that it includes items that are not religion. 
C)  The nature of a definition of religion that specifies too much content and so omits some religions. 
D)  A tendency to interpret a complex phenomenon (like religion) in terms of only one of its functions. 
E)  The various social and psychological effects of religion, for example, how it helps people respond to suffering. 
A)  The defining content of what religion is about, the "stuff" of religion. 
B)  The nature of a definition of religion that is so general that it includes items that are not religion. 
C)  The nature of a definition of religion that specifies too much content and so omits some religions. 
D)  A tendency to interpret a complex phenomenon (like religion) in terms of only one of its functions. 
E)  The various social and psychological effects of religion, for example, how it helps people respond to suffering.

Question 16

Which of the following is the author's proposed definition of religion?

Accepted Answer

A)  A complex set of beliefs, behaviors, and experiences rooted in some notion of transmundane reality thought of as Ultimate Being. 
B)  Belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe. 
C)  A set of rituals, rationalized by myth, which mobilizes supernatural power. 
D)  The recognition of our moral duties as divine commands. 
A)  A complex set of beliefs, behaviors, and experiences rooted in some notion of transmundane reality thought of as Ultimate Being. 
B)  Belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe. 
C)  A set of rituals, rationalized by myth, which mobilizes supernatural power. 
D)  The recognition of our moral duties as divine commands.

Question 17

Choose three definitions of religion that you think are, respectively, too broad, too narrow, and most useful. Explain these evaluations of the definitions and ultimately defend the one you think is most useful.

Accepted Answer

Too broad: "Religion is any belief in a

Question 18

The author suggests that an adequate definition of religion should include a reference to some general notion of something beyond the world.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided.
-Function

Accepted Answer

A)  The defining content of what religion is about, the "stuff" of religion. 
B)  The nature of a definition of religion that is so general that it includes items that are not religion. 
C)  The nature of a definition of religion that specifies too much content and so omits some religions. 
D)  A tendency to interpret a complex phenomenon (like religion) in terms of only one of its functions. 
E)  The various social and psychological effects of religion, for example, how it helps people respond to suffering. 
A)  The defining content of what religion is about, the "stuff" of religion. 
B)  The nature of a definition of religion that is so general that it includes items that are not religion. 
C)  The nature of a definition of religion that specifies too much content and so omits some religions. 
D)  A tendency to interpret a complex phenomenon (like religion) in terms of only one of its functions. 
E)  The various social and psychological effects of religion, for example, how it helps people respond to suffering.

Question 20

Describe the "phenomenological approach" to religion, perhaps in contrast to a reductionistic one, and explain why the author thinks the former is best. Argue for or against this point.

Accepted Answer

The phenomenological approach to religio

It is probably best for defining a difficult term like "religion" just to consult the dictionary.

It is simply impossible to define "religion" adequately, and so it is best that we just leave it undefined.

According to the author, reductionism and functional equivalence offer a sufficient definition of religion.

What is the definition of the following term: -too broad:

What is the definition of the following term: -transmundane:

In defining "religion," the author uses the example of

What is the definition of the following term: -functions (of religion):

What is the definition of the following term: -reductionism:

According to the author, reductionistic definitions of religion

According to the author, "Religion is a set of personal beliefs" is

There are many distinct but interwoven elements of religion.

Choose an example of a definition of religion from the text, or one you suggest yourself, and evaluate it using a dialectic of definition and examples.

Immanuel Kant's definition of religion as given in the text focuses on what elements of religion?

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Too Narrow

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Substance

Which of the following is the author's proposed definition of religion?

Choose three definitions of religion that you think are, respectively, too broad, too narrow, and most useful. Explain these evaluations of the definitions and ultimately defend the one you think is most useful.

The author suggests that an adequate definition of religion should include a reference to some general notion of something beyond the world.

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Function

Describe the "phenomenological approach" to religion, perhaps in contrast to a reductionistic one, and explain why the author thinks the former is best. Argue for or against this point.

Concepts of Ultimate Being

Founders and Manifestations

Scripture As Source and Authority

The Languages of Religion

Miscellaneous Doctrines: the Truth of Self, Suffering and Salvation and Epilogue

Ritual

Moral Action

Social Order and Government and the Epilogue

Religious Experience

Religion and Art

Beatitude, or Salvation Reconsidered, the Epilogue

Filters

Exam 1: Defining Religion

It is probably best for defining a difficult term like "religion" just to consult the dictionary.

It is simply impossible to define "religion" adequately, and so it is best that we just leave it undefined.

According to the author, reductionism and functional equivalence offer a sufficient definition of religion.

What is the definition of the following term: -too broad:

What is the definition of the following term: -transmundane:

In defining "religion," the author uses the example of

What is the definition of the following term: -functions (of religion):

What is the definition of the following term: -reductionism:

According to the author, reductionistic definitions of religion

According to the author, "Religion is a set of personal beliefs" is

There are many distinct but interwoven elements of religion.

Choose an example of a definition of religion from the text, or one you suggest yourself, and evaluate it using a dialectic of definition and examples.

Immanuel Kant's definition of religion as given in the text focuses on what elements of religion?

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Too Narrow

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Substance

Which of the following is the author's proposed definition of religion?

Choose three definitions of religion that you think are, respectively, too broad, too narrow, and most useful. Explain these evaluations of the definitions and ultimately defend the one you think is most useful.

The author suggests that an adequate definition of religion should include a reference to some general notion of something beyond the world.

Matching: The letter of the correct definition is given in the space provided. -Function

Describe the "phenomenological approach" to religion, perhaps in contrast to a reductionistic one, and explain why the author thinks the former is best. Argue for or against this point.

Concepts of Ultimate Being

Founders and Manifestations

Scripture As Source and Authority

The Languages of Religion

Miscellaneous Doctrines: the Truth of Self, Suffering and Salvation and Epilogue

Ritual

Moral Action

Social Order and Government and the Epilogue

Religious Experience

Religion and Art

Beatitude, or Salvation Reconsidered, the Epilogue

Filters