lesson 1:Understanding the Nature of Religion: A Journey Through Belief Systems

These flashcards cover definitions, key distinctions, historical evidence, theoretical perspectives, and academic disciplines related to religion, belief systems, and spirituality as presented in the lecture notes.

What is a "worldview" in the context of belief systems?

A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by people.

Which two personal factors most strongly influence an individual’s religious development?

Social environment and upbringing.

What does monism teach about God and the universe?

That there is no genuine distinction between God and the universe—they are one.

How does polytheism differ from monotheism?

Polytheism believes in many principal gods, while monotheism believes in one supreme God.

What is atheism?

Denial of the existence of God or gods.

What is agnosticism?

The belief that God's existence is unknown and unknowable.

Define theism.

Belief in one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world.

Provide the basic definition of religion.

An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.

From which Latin word does "religion" originate and what does it originally mean?

From the Latin "religio," meaning something done with scrupulous attention (possibly from "religare," to bind fast).

List three common characteristics found in major religions.

Belief in supernatural powers, rituals and ceremonies, and a moral code of behavior (others include sacred objects/places, prayer, shared worldview, social group).

What archaeological practice suggests early belief in an afterlife?

The burial of the dead with food, tools, and personal objects.

Approximately how long ago do archaeologists trace religious practices in Homo sapiens?

About 60,000 years ago.

Name one theory that explains the origin of religion as a response to human weakness.

Religion emerged to cope with pain, ignorance, or mysterious natural phenomena.

How did the rise of social sciences in the 19th century change the study of religion?

Researchers applied scientific methods—field research, observation, historical analysis—to formulate enduring theories about religion’s origins and functions.

Define spirituality in one sentence.

A personal, integrative view of life that relates to the human spirit or soul, often contrasted with material concerns.

Which Latin root word is associated with “spirituality,” and what does it literally mean?

"Spiritus," from the verb "spirare"—to breathe.

Give one example of how spirituality may manifest without formal religion.

Feeling a sense of oneness with other living beings or having a personal sense of life purpose.

State one key difference between religion and spirituality.

Religion is organized and institutional; spirituality is personal and flexible.

What are the three key academic concepts in the study of religion introduced in the lecture?

Theology, philosophy of religion, and spirituality.

How is theology defined in this lecture?

The systematic study of the existence and nature of the divine, often from a specific religious perspective.

What distinguishes philosophy of religion from theology?

It analyzes religious concepts and experiences as a branch of philosophy and can be pursued by believers or non-believers alike.

According to the summary, what does religion attempt to explain?

The nature of existence, natural phenomena, and humanity’s place in the world.

List two functions religion can serve in human societies, according to origin theories.

A coping mechanism for pain and ignorance, and a tool for social cohesion or control.

What does the phrase "spiritual, not religious" usually imply?

A person seeks personal meaning and inner peace without adhering to organized religion.

Which characteristic of major religions involves sacred communication?

Prayer and other forms of communication with the divine.

Give one example of an early human attempt to communicate with supernatural entities.

Placing offerings such as food or tools in burial sites.

What is meant by "superhuman controlling power" in the summary of religion?

A divine or supernatural force believed to govern or influence human life and natural events.

How might dreams have contributed to the development of religion, according to one theory?

Unexplainable dream experiences prompted humans to posit unseen spiritual realms or beings.

Explain the term "belief system."

An interconnected set of principles and convictions through which people interpret reality and guide behavior.

What social function does religion provide beyond individual belief?

It forms a social group bound by shared beliefs and practices.

Why can philosophy of religion be practiced by non-believers?

It examines religious questions using logical and critical inquiry rather than faith commitment.