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Introduction and Characteristics of Basic Religion Study Guide (p. 2)
Introduction/Overview
1. List 5 major reasons why a study of world religions is valuable and necessary.
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2. Define religio:
3. A basic definition of religion is difficult, list 6 basic tenets of religion:
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4. List 5 major theories on the origin of religion:
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5. What is the basic idea of animism?
6. Define mana:
7. Briefly describe the nature-worship theory:
8. In the theory of Original Monotheism, what qualities were attributed to the High God?
9. Briefly describe how the Magic Theory discusses the evolution of religion and science from magic.
10. Briefly explain the Theory of Religion as Projections of Human Needs.
11. How did Marx feel about the legitimacy of religious belief?
12. How did Marx belief the ruling class used religion?
13. What did Freud believe to be at the center of religious belief?
Characteristics of Basic Religions
14. What connotations does the word “primitive” carry?
15. What is our strongest source of knowledge regarding past religious belief?
16. What are the two primary sources of information about basic religions and what disciplines study each?
17. What evidence is there for Neanderthal religious belief?
18. What are the most impressive artifacts left behind by the Cro-Magnon people?
19. What do artifacts such as the Venus of Willendorf found all over the world in prehistoric and historic cultures
seem to indicate?
20. What development during the Neolithic period greatly influenced the evolution of religious belief?
21. What do large burials containing many animal and human bones seem to indicate about Neolithic religious belief?
22. What are the most common theories about why people built massive stone monuments in Neolithic times?
23. What do many Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists believe that spirits have the ability to do?
24. Provide at least 3 modern examples of animism directly connected to modern religion.
25. What do magicians in basic societies attempt to do?
26. What is the most common form of magic used in basic societies and how does it work?
27. What does the practice of fetish magic use in order to bring good fortune or ward off evil?
28. What is divination? Provide one historical example of it.
29. Define shaman:
30. What is a prophet?
31. What is taboo and what role does it play in basic societal religion?
32. Provide an example of taboo from modern world religion.
33. What is totemism?
34. Provide a modern example of totemism.
35. What does the common practice of sacrifice generally entail?
36. What relatively rare sacrificial practice was done by some cultures?
37. What three major things are basic religions trying to accomplish with sacrifice?
38. How is the word “myth” used in the study of religion?
39. What are religious myths often used to explain?
40. What are religious rituals meant to accomplish?
41. What are some key points in one’s life when rites of passage rituals are performed in many religions?
42. List two modern examples of rites of passage rituals performed in modern religious belief.
43. What do many who believe in the continued life of their ancestors have a great fear of?
44. Critical Thinking: I find it interesting that the sections on sacrifice, myth and ancestor veneration do not provide
modern examples like the other sections. Why might this be?