R&E - TEST 1

cult

a small (typically but not always) religious group that is (very obviously) not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous

group identity

feeling like or at least identifying as a part of a named group

passion/devotion

highly emotional devotion and desire for something

philosophy

highly rational way of explaining things

praxis

practices and rituals that accomplish important goals

religion

a sincerely and deeply held system of beliefs and practices that are intimately connected to a transcendent force or being in such a way that it explains life in a way that shapes all a person does and is and identifies a person as a member of one group and not others

ritual

something that happens in order during a certain time; has a specific goal and often has transcendence

sacred

holy or divine or righteous in some way

secular

something not tied to religion

spirituality

a connection with the unseen and inexplicable

(transcend)ence

(to raise above; go beyond) fits a lot of different religions

worldview

how you see life is how that shapes everything else

worship

severance and adoration for a god

what is a religious marker

a characteristic or attribute that indicates something is sacred or connected to religion in some way

specific examples of religious markers

cross, hijabs, the crescent moon and star, star of David

examples from any religion of such markers

cross (christian), hijabs (muslim), crescent moon and stars (islam), star of David (jews and judaism)

traits that MUST be there to be a religion

group identity, worldview, philosophy, praxis, spirituality, passion

why are people religious

expectations of others, to form a spiritual connection, gain a community, sense of meaning, guidance, cope, avoid negative consequences

What is the problem with judging the quality of an entire religion based on groups like ISIS terrorists or the KKK?

you aren't understanding the values and morals of the whole religion but rather of this group in particular that claims to represent that religion (does this make sense)

Why did Stephen Prothero think it was neither practical nor wise to try to keep religion a private matter?

because religion is impossible to keep tucked away. it's a huge part of you and must be talked about because it's deep-rooted.

specific historical/social events that make people say religion is bad for the world.

rationalizing slavery, war (crusades, jihad), killing people who do wrong, forcefully making others do things/behave

specific historical/social events that make people say religion is good for the world.

generally produces better morals, civil rights movement, gives answers science cannot, the salvation army, gospel/christian music, abolition movements

is religion a gun or hammer? what's the diff and why's it matter?

hammer: can destroy and build / gun: can only destroy; religion is a hammer because it can build someone up and make them a better person or it can ruin them. religion has to be handled with care because it can do both; it matters how you choose to use religion

what other non-religious factors usually contribute to religion being misused in bad ways? (otherwise; what turns religion bad)

control/ego, personal gain (money, power, sex), retaliation/tradition, blind obedience, views taken too literal

what separates religion from a cult

most cults are religious, but not all religions are cults; the key difference is extremities and coercions