World Religions 1
Shanelle Adams
Project
Introduction and Overview
Page 10: Answer the Following Questions
1. Define religion. Religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods, a particular system of faith and worship, and a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
2. Name several major theories of the origin of religion. Animistic theory and theories of religion as projections of human needs were major theories of the origin.
3. List the four types of religious systems and tell where each may be found. Basic religions, religions originating in India, religions originating in China and Japan, and religions originating in the Middle East are the four types of religious systems and where each may be found.
Chapter 1: Characteristics of Basic Religions
Page 28: Answer the Following Questions
1. Why do we speak of “basic” rather than “primitive” religions? We speak of basic religion because basic religion came from prehistory or are practiced in remote places and elements of the basic religions are found to some degree in all religions. Basic religions represent the majority of the total religious experience of humankind but primitive religion carries with it connotations of being backward, simple, and even childlike.
2. Define animism, and give several examples of surviving animism in modern life. Animism is the belief that all nature is alive and filled with unseen spirits that may be worshiped or placated.
3. Name some taboos in modern life. How are they like those in basic societies? How are they different? Some taboos in modern life are abortions and adultery. Abortions are alike in basic society because it deals with death. In basic societies twins are killed at birth.
Chapter 2: Native American Religions
Page 43: Answer the Following Questions
1. Are Native American religions best describes as monotheistic, polytheistic, or monistic? Native American religions are best described as
Project
Introduction and Overview
Page 10: Answer the Following Questions
1. Define religion. Religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods, a particular system of faith and worship, and a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
2. Name several major theories of the origin of religion. Animistic theory and theories of religion as projections of human needs were major theories of the origin.
3. List the four types of religious systems and tell where each may be found. Basic religions, religions originating in India, religions originating in China and Japan, and religions originating in the Middle East are the four types of religious systems and where each may be found.
Chapter 1: Characteristics of Basic Religions
Page 28: Answer the Following Questions
1. Why do we speak of “basic” rather than “primitive” religions? We speak of basic religion because basic religion came from prehistory or are practiced in remote places and elements of the basic religions are found to some degree in all religions. Basic religions represent the majority of the total religious experience of humankind but primitive religion carries with it connotations of being backward, simple, and even childlike.
2. Define animism, and give several examples of surviving animism in modern life. Animism is the belief that all nature is alive and filled with unseen spirits that may be worshiped or placated.
3. Name some taboos in modern life. How are they like those in basic societies? How are they different? Some taboos in modern life are abortions and adultery. Abortions are alike in basic society because it deals with death. In basic societies twins are killed at birth.
Chapter 2: Native American Religions
Page 43: Answer the Following Questions
1. Are Native American religions best describes as monotheistic, polytheistic, or monistic? Native American religions are best described as