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

Question 1

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

Answer 1

False

Question 2

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

A)young,low-income African American families with children at home
B)over 60,retired,college-educated white men
C)young,college-educated,white families with children at home
D)young,college-educated African American couples with no children

Answer 2

C

Question 3

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

A)democratic leveling.
B)equality of access.
C)the Disneyland Effect.
D)heresy.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

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

A)megachurches are taking control of Mainline Protestant churches in their local area.
B)Mainline Protestant congregations are being forced out of business by megachurches.
C)missionaries from megachurches try to attract members away from traditional Mainline Protestant congregations.
D)Mainline Protestant congregations feel pressure to adopt contemporary worship or minimize formality in order to look like megachurches.

Question 5

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.

Question 6

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

Question 7

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

A)be a Protestant congregation.
B)have a minimum of 2000 people in attendance on a typical Sunday.
C)be an Evangelical congregation.
D)all of the above
E)A and B only

Question 8

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

A)religious change.
B)cultural innovation.
C)cultural shift.
D)religious adaptation.

Question 9

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

A)focus on forms of divination and personal health and wellness.
B)an individual makes up for him or herself,like "Sheilaism."
C)are the less well-known beliefs and practices of any religion.
D)are incompatible with Christianity.

Question 10

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

A)evangelical outreach
B)sales of religious items
C)online chats among members
D)assisting religious singles to find romantic partners.
E)All of the above are reasons religious groups use the Internet.

Question 11

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

A)technology can free individuals from the direct authority and control of religious leaders.
B)technology makes it possible for people to no longer directly participate in religious services.
C)technology encourages more religious choice.
D)all of the above

Question 12

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

A)religious vitality.
B)"believing,not belonging."
C)moral relativism.
D)the "spiritual but not religious" principle.

Question 13

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

A)the Northeast
B)the Midwest
C)the South
D)the west coast

Question 14

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

A)online social networking sites
B)small groups
C)designating people to be in charge of hospitality
D)orientation classes for new members
E)all of the above

Question 15

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

A)That there are too many religious ideas "out there" to choose from
B)That people remain alone when they use the Internet for religious purposes
C)That the Internet does not allow the participation in any religious rituals
D)That Internet doesn't allow people to form real-time relationships

Question 16

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

A)virtual reality.
B)Avatar reality.
C)the Disneyland Effect.
D)second life.

Question 17

Online religion can increase religious vitality in society when

A)it allows individuals to explore multiple kinds of religious beliefs and practices all at once.
B)it allows individuals to structure their religious participation more conveniently around their work and family schedules.
C)it allows for religious interactions to occur 24 hours a day,7 days a week.
D)all of the above

Question 18

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