1
RSM 120/121/122
SEMESTER TEST QUESTIONS SUMMARY
Study Unit 1: What is Religion?
1. Describe the origin and the use of the word “religion” according to
its Latin roots and indicate how it relates to the current understanding
of religion.
The word ‘religion’ comes from the Latin religio. The root of the word might
have a dual origin: re-ligare, ‘to connect’ as was used by Augustine and
religere, ‘to follow closely’ as was used by Cicero. ‘Religion,’ therefore,
wants to refer to the passive connection between humans and gods as well
as the active participation by humans in worshipping the gods.
Sundermeier adds another possible root, namely relegere, 'to engage
again', reflecting the interaction of humans with the supernatural.
Jenny Daggers indicates how the word religion was not originally filled with
the same meaning attached to it today. Up until the early medieval period
Christianity utilised the word religion as only referring to Christianity. All
other forms of what is today regarded as religion were then labelled as
sects or laws. Christianity during the late medieval period used religion to
refer to worship and living a life of commitment to monastic life. The
understanding was that natural law served as a bed for all forms of
devotion.
Asad points out that in premodern writing there is no evidence of a
separation between sacred and profane. Claims concerning divine
revelation came from different sects, but it was considered that all humans
Copyright reserved Graham Smith © Questions and answers based on
“RSM 120, 121 and 122 Study Material 2023” by Prof Jaco Beyers 2023
,2
could recognise God through reason. Only Christianity, however, would be
able to claim to be religion or true faith until the fifteenth century when
Nicolas and Cusa brought about a change concerning the meaning of
religion. Cusa believed all humans worshipped the same God and,
therefore, possessed religion. One religion existed with different forms of
worship. The implication later became that many religions were possible
until moderns came to believe that a multitude of religions existed.
2. Recall three characteristics of pre-historic religious forms relating
to religious awareness among ancient humans.
Graves and burial sites of homo neanderthalensis
Clay figures representing humans and animals
Cave paintings and rock engravings depicting animals, hunting
scenes, women figures, sometimes pregnant and relating to ritual
practices.
Animal bones and skulls that show places of cult practices and
sacrifice (extra)
3. Identify different types of definitions of religion as an attempt to
categorise the many definitions.
4 Broad categories by which religion is defined:
(1) Minimal: narrow-minded and limiting that many aspects of religions are
excluded. “Religion is the worship of gods” excludes Buddhism.
Copyright reserved Graham Smith © Questions and answers based on
“RSM 120, 121 and 122 Study Material 2023” by Prof Jaco Beyers 2023
, 3
(2) Maximal: vague or encompassing that it can include structures that are
not necessarily seen as religion. “Religion is a set of convictions that
people live their lives by” includes Communism.
(3) Substantive or Metaphysical: use the terms and concepts that
religions themselves use when they talk about themselves. Religious
experience is referred to, which consists of knowledge, meditation,
convictions, actions, rituals, ethics, laws or social responsibilities. “Religion
is the human activity that connects people with the transcendental reality
and through actions keeps them connected.”
(4) Functional: Definitions that focus on what religion does instead of what
religion is. Focuses on religion’s social role and how it provides for people’s
needs. “Religion provides a worldview; or provides a set of ethical rules; or
gives a foundation or anchor the human race.”
Certain definitions are grouped based on a uniting element:
Ethnic: Religions belonging exclusively to one culture. Ex. Jewish
culture and religion.
Universal/World: Religions found across the world in all countries
under all cultures. Ex. Christianity and Islam.
Natural/Primal/Primitive/Traditional: The most basic form of religion;
wrongly called primitive. Rather, they are the first forms of religion. Not
a particular religion but they can be found all around the world.
Characteristics: Followers live close to nature; No missionary
perspective; Animistic worldview (spiritual world co-habits visible world);
Copyright reserved Graham Smith © Questions and answers based on
“RSM 120, 121 and 122 Study Material 2023” by Prof Jaco Beyers 2023
RSM 120/121/122
SEMESTER TEST QUESTIONS SUMMARY
Study Unit 1: What is Religion?
1. Describe the origin and the use of the word “religion” according to
its Latin roots and indicate how it relates to the current understanding
of religion.
The word ‘religion’ comes from the Latin religio. The root of the word might
have a dual origin: re-ligare, ‘to connect’ as was used by Augustine and
religere, ‘to follow closely’ as was used by Cicero. ‘Religion,’ therefore,
wants to refer to the passive connection between humans and gods as well
as the active participation by humans in worshipping the gods.
Sundermeier adds another possible root, namely relegere, 'to engage
again', reflecting the interaction of humans with the supernatural.
Jenny Daggers indicates how the word religion was not originally filled with
the same meaning attached to it today. Up until the early medieval period
Christianity utilised the word religion as only referring to Christianity. All
other forms of what is today regarded as religion were then labelled as
sects or laws. Christianity during the late medieval period used religion to
refer to worship and living a life of commitment to monastic life. The
understanding was that natural law served as a bed for all forms of
devotion.
Asad points out that in premodern writing there is no evidence of a
separation between sacred and profane. Claims concerning divine
revelation came from different sects, but it was considered that all humans
Copyright reserved Graham Smith © Questions and answers based on
“RSM 120, 121 and 122 Study Material 2023” by Prof Jaco Beyers 2023
,2
could recognise God through reason. Only Christianity, however, would be
able to claim to be religion or true faith until the fifteenth century when
Nicolas and Cusa brought about a change concerning the meaning of
religion. Cusa believed all humans worshipped the same God and,
therefore, possessed religion. One religion existed with different forms of
worship. The implication later became that many religions were possible
until moderns came to believe that a multitude of religions existed.
2. Recall three characteristics of pre-historic religious forms relating
to religious awareness among ancient humans.
Graves and burial sites of homo neanderthalensis
Clay figures representing humans and animals
Cave paintings and rock engravings depicting animals, hunting
scenes, women figures, sometimes pregnant and relating to ritual
practices.
Animal bones and skulls that show places of cult practices and
sacrifice (extra)
3. Identify different types of definitions of religion as an attempt to
categorise the many definitions.
4 Broad categories by which religion is defined:
(1) Minimal: narrow-minded and limiting that many aspects of religions are
excluded. “Religion is the worship of gods” excludes Buddhism.
Copyright reserved Graham Smith © Questions and answers based on
“RSM 120, 121 and 122 Study Material 2023” by Prof Jaco Beyers 2023
, 3
(2) Maximal: vague or encompassing that it can include structures that are
not necessarily seen as religion. “Religion is a set of convictions that
people live their lives by” includes Communism.
(3) Substantive or Metaphysical: use the terms and concepts that
religions themselves use when they talk about themselves. Religious
experience is referred to, which consists of knowledge, meditation,
convictions, actions, rituals, ethics, laws or social responsibilities. “Religion
is the human activity that connects people with the transcendental reality
and through actions keeps them connected.”
(4) Functional: Definitions that focus on what religion does instead of what
religion is. Focuses on religion’s social role and how it provides for people’s
needs. “Religion provides a worldview; or provides a set of ethical rules; or
gives a foundation or anchor the human race.”
Certain definitions are grouped based on a uniting element:
Ethnic: Religions belonging exclusively to one culture. Ex. Jewish
culture and religion.
Universal/World: Religions found across the world in all countries
under all cultures. Ex. Christianity and Islam.
Natural/Primal/Primitive/Traditional: The most basic form of religion;
wrongly called primitive. Rather, they are the first forms of religion. Not
a particular religion but they can be found all around the world.
Characteristics: Followers live close to nature; No missionary
perspective; Animistic worldview (spiritual world co-habits visible world);
Copyright reserved Graham Smith © Questions and answers based on
“RSM 120, 121 and 122 Study Material 2023” by Prof Jaco Beyers 2023
