Final Exam Review - Unit 1

Flashcards for Final Exam Review - Unit 1 Material

Religion

A system of beliefs and practices related to the sacred. It shapes moral systems, political ideologies, cultural expressions, and even global conflicts.

Religare / Legere

Religare means 'to bind', emphasizing a personal bond to a divine being. Legere means 'to reread carefully', emphasizing ritual observance and conscientious tradition (Cicero and Lactantius' interpretations of religion's etymology)

Etymological Fallacy

The assumption that the origin of a word determines its modern meaning; 'Religion' has evolved far beyond its Latin roots.

Cultural Imperialism

Imposing external categories onto another culture, often distorting it. Avoid this when studying religion.

Prototype Theory

Categorizing things based on best examples or prototypes. Applied to religion, we ask: 'How closely does this resemble a prototypical religion?'

Prototypical Features

Recurring features that appear across many religious systems, such as a concept of ultimacy, sacred stories, rituals, doctrines, ethical teachings, and symbols.

Orthodoxy / Orthopraxy / Orthopathy

Orthodoxy prioritizes belief, orthopraxy prioritizes action, and orthopathy prioritizes emotional experience.

Ultimacy

That which is most real and most important; can be personal, impersonal, or abstract.

Wholly Other / Numinous

Wholly Other is the divine as entirely beyond comprehension. Numinous is the emotional response to the Wholly Other: awe, fear, attraction.

Mysticism

A category related to the concept of ultimacy; union with the divine

Doctrine

Formal teachings that provide structure to religious belief and codify responses to ultimacy.

Ethics

Moral frameworks and social guidance that flow from doctrine and express how to live in light of ultimacy.

Myth

Sacred stories that convey spiritual or moral truths, dealing with truth beyond historical fact.

Ritual

Prescribed actions that enact or dramatize sacred truths, reinforcing myths, doctrine, and ethics through experience.

Symbol

Points to deeper spiritual truths and may participate in the reality they represent.

Sign

Merely informs; it differs from a spiritual symbol that invites transformation.

Totem

A symbol of collective identity (e.g., Lion of Judah).

Talisman

A source of personal spiritual empowerment (e.g., mezuzah, scapular).

Insider Perspective / Outsider Perspective

Differing viewpoints when studying religion; It's important to consider both to gain a comprehensive understanding.

Interreligious Dialogue

The act of promoting communication and understanding between different religions.

Ecumenism

The principle or aim of promoting unity among the world's Christian churches.

Inclusivism / Exclusivism / Pluralism

Different theological standpoints on the salvation of non-believers. Inclusivism - salvation is possible, Exclusivism - salvation is not possible, Pluralism - All religions can lead to salvation.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to explain others’ bad behavior as due to character, but our own bad behavior as circumstantial. Avoid this in comparative religion.

Utilitarian Values / Ulterior Values / Ultimate Values

Utilitarian values refer to practical goals (e.g., health, prosperity, social order), Ulterior values: Self-serving or coercive, Ultimate values: Aim toward ultimacy (e.g., compassion, liberation, union with the divine).