Question 1

An analysis of the phenomenon of mass suicides by cult members reveals the belief that

Accepted Answer

A)   they are isolated and estranged from society.
B)   they are persecuted by the society.
C)   society's rules do not apply to them.
D)   they do not belong in this world, they are destined to be somewhere better.
E)   they are isolated and persecuted, the rules do not apply to them, and they do not belong in this world. E

Question 2

Differentiate between the anti-cult groups and counter-cult groups.

Accepted Answer

Anti-cult groups and counter-cult groups are both types of organizations that typically oppose cults and new religious movements, but they do so for different reasons and with different approaches.

Anti-cult groups:
1. Focus: Anti-cult groups primarily concentrate on the sociological and psychological aspects of cults. They are concerned with the alleged manipulative and coercive techniques used by cults to recruit and retain members.
2. Approach: These groups often provide support to former cult members and their families, offering counseling, deprogramming, and information on how to deal with the aftermath of cult involvement.
3. Perspective: Anti-cult groups tend to be secular in nature and may include psychologists, sociologists, and other professionals who study cult dynamics from a non-religious standpoint.
4. Criticism: They may be criticized for being too aggressive in their methods, particularly in the past when deprogramming was more common, which involved forcibly removing individuals from cults and subjecting them to intense psychological pressure to renounce their beliefs.

Counter-cult groups:
1. Focus: Counter-cult groups are primarily concerned with the theological correctness of cults. They challenge the doctrinal beliefs of cults from a religious standpoint, often because they view these beliefs as heretical or deviant from mainstream religious teachings.
2. Approach: These groups engage in apologetics, which is the defense of their own faith, and they actively refute the doctrines of cults through debate, literature, and evangelism.
3. Perspective: Counter-cult groups are usually religiously motivated and often affiliated with a particular faith or denomination. Their goal is to protect their own religious community from the influence of what they consider false teachings.
4. Criticism: Counter-cult groups may be criticized for being intolerant or for focusing too narrowly on doctrinal differences, sometimes at the expense of addressing the social or psychological welfare of individuals involved in cults.

In summary, while both anti-cult and counter-cult groups share a common opposition to cults, they differ in their motivations, methods, and areas of focus. Anti-cult groups are more concerned with the social and psychological impact of cults, while counter-cult groups are focused on theological disputes and protecting their own religious beliefs from perceived threats.

Question 3

In popular discourse, which of the following religious groups is typically socially typed as "deviant"?

Accepted Answer

A)   ecclesia
B)   churches
C)   sects
D)   cults
E)   sects and cults are socially typed as deviant E

Question 4

The groups that use the word "cult" to refer to very specific religious groups that have "destructive" characteristics are

Accepted Answer

A)   cult awareness groups.
B)   anti-cult groups.
C)   counter-cult groups.
D)   cult control groups.
E)   cult awareness groups and anti-cult groups.

Question 5

In 1600, a local midwife is arrested for witchcraft, put on trial, and burned at the stake. In which of the following regions is she most likely to have lived?

Accepted Answer

A)   a region where Catholicism had weakened, and trials were conducted by local authorities
B)   a region where Catholicism had weakened, and trials were conducted by national authorities
C)   a region where Catholicism maintained its power, and trials were conducted by local authorities
D)   a region where Catholicism maintained its power, and trials were conducted by national authorities
E)   because of the pervasiveness of witch persecutions throughout Europe, she was equally likely to have lived in any of the above regions

Question 6

Describe the criticisms that are directed at the traditional typology that distinguishes between churches, sects, and cults.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the criticisms that are directed at...

Question 7

The social typing of "deviant" religious groups is resisted through

Accepted Answer

A)   the recruitment of new members.
B)   hiring public relations firms to represent themselves in the media.
C)   questioning the traditional distinction between ecclesia, churches, sects, and cults.
D)   defending themselves in court cases.
E)   a variety of activities, including all of those listed above.

Question 8

The level of tension with the larger society that is experienced by a particular sect is determined by

Accepted Answer

A)   the level of antagonism that the sect feels for society.
B)   the size of the sect.
C)   the level of organization that exists within the sect.
D)   whether the sect has broken away from a Christian or non-Christian church.
E)   the number of societies within which the sect maintains a presence.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of religious belief systems acting as social typers of deviance?

Accepted Answer

A)   the witch persecutions
B)   residential schooling
C)   the child-savers movement
D)   the political activities of the Christian Coalition
E)   religious beliefs systems have acted as social typers of deviance in all of the above situations

Question 10

The blurring of boundaries between religious and political belief systems can be perceived as religion as a social typer of deviance as well as religion as deviance, depending on one's point of view.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following statements about the witch persecutions is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   the Christian church was directly responsible for the arrest and trial of witches throughout Europe
B)   one of the arenas for witch hunts was regions where there were peasant rebellions
C)   women who were financially independent had enough power within their communities to avoid accusations of witchcraft
D)   in every region of Europe, women were more likely than men to be persecuted
E)   all of the statements listed above accurately describe the witch persecutions

Question 12

Every religious belief system in the world has been socially typed as "deviant" at some times in history and in some societies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The Canadian residential schooling policy

Accepted Answer

A)   provided Aboriginal children with similar levels and types of education as non-Aboriginal children received in Canada's public schools at the time.
B)   placed an emphasis on teaching Aboriginal children to integrate their traditional cultures with Canadian culture.
C)   allowed frequent visits between children and their parents, in an attempt to garner greater support for residential schooling in Aboriginal communities.
D)   required the consent of parents before children could be removed from their communities.
E)   combined formal education (e.g. arithmetic)  with religious education (i.e. Christianity)  and cultural education (i.e. how to act "White") .

Question 14

In the public mind, cults have been associated with sexual deviance for more than 100 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Child abuse was deviantized in the late 19th century, in part due to the efforts of the child-savers movement.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Describe the variety of ways in which the European witchcraze varied across regions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the variety of ways in which...

Question 17

It is estimated that more than one million people were persecuted as witches in Europe from the 14th through the 17th centuries.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The European Court has overturned a number of the convictions faced by individuals and groups under France's new anti-sect laws.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of ecclesia?

Accepted Answer

A)   the Christian Church in Canada
B)   "The Family of Love" (formerly known as the "Children of God") , as found in many nations around the world
C)   the Anglican Church in England
D)   Catholicism in Boston, Massachusetts
E)   Sikhism in India

Question 20

The blurring of boundaries between religious and political belief systems is evident in

Accepted Answer

A)   Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
B)   the Canadian residential schooling initiative.
C)   the witch persecutions.
D)   the United States.
E)   all of the situations and places listed above.

Exam 8: What Do You Believe? Religion and Deviance

An analysis of the phenomenon of mass suicides by cult members reveals the belief that

Differentiate between the anti-cult groups and counter-cult groups.

In popular discourse, which of the following religious groups is typically socially typed as "deviant"?

The groups that use the word "cult" to refer to very specific religious groups that have "destructive" characteristics are

In 1600, a local midwife is arrested for witchcraft, put on trial, and burned at the stake. In which of the following regions is she most likely to have lived?

Describe the criticisms that are directed at the traditional typology that distinguishes between churches, sects, and cults.

The social typing of "deviant" religious groups is resisted through

The level of tension with the larger society that is experienced by a particular sect is determined by

Which of the following is an example of religious belief systems acting as social typers of deviance?

The blurring of boundaries between religious and political belief systems can be perceived as religion as a social typer of deviance as well as religion as deviance, depending on one's point of view.

Which of the following statements about the witch persecutions is true?

Every religious belief system in the world has been socially typed as "deviant" at some times in history and in some societies.

The Canadian residential schooling policy

In the public mind, cults have been associated with sexual deviance for more than 100 years.

Child abuse was deviantized in the late 19th century, in part due to the efforts of the child-savers movement.

Describe the variety of ways in which the European witchcraze varied across regions.

It is estimated that more than one million people were persecuted as witches in Europe from the 14th through the 17th centuries.

The European Court has overturned a number of the convictions faced by individuals and groups under France's new anti-sect laws.

Which of the following is an example of ecclesia?

The blurring of boundaries between religious and political belief systems is evident in