Exam 3: Downloading God, big-Box Churches, and the Crystal Shop Around the Corner

Because megachurches are so large,there is really no way for them to create the sense of community among their members that is typically found in smaller congregations.

In Brenda Brasher's study of online religion,she refers to the way in which anyone with the skill and means to use the Internet can circulate alternative ideas to official religious teachings and can challenge the expertise and authority of religious leaders and professionals in the process as

Geographically speaking,which region of the United States has the fewest megachurches?

The spread of alternative spiritual beliefs and practices has had no observable impact on more mainstream religious groups in the United States.

The principle that,in the U.S.and Europe,people are actively interested in all things spiritual but are less likely to claim to be part of one religious denomination or go to one specific church is referred to as

At various points in history,technological change and innovation has been thought to be threatening to religion because

Most megachurches use which of the following activities to attract and keep members?

Online religion can increase religious vitality in society when

Internet users sometimes begin to take for granted that their simulated experiences online are real experiences.Sociologists call this

Today,research has documented that most religious groups use the Internet for all of the following except

Over time,the percent of Americans that report holding alternative spiritual beliefs such as beliefs in astrology and ESP have been decreasing.

When religions modify their beliefs and practices to reflect and incorporate the broad changes in the societies in which they are located,sociologists refer to this as

In arguing that megachurches are "colonizing" Mainline Protestantism,Ellingson is highlighting the ways

To be a "megachurch" in sociological terms,a congregation must

____________ is one of the key sociological challenges the Internet poses to religion.

Religious adaptation can be challenging for all religious groups because they pressure every group to adapt in order to be current.

Which of the following best describes the typical members of U.S.megachurches?

"Alternative spiritualities" refers to those spiritual beliefs and practices that