Test Bank for Religion Matters, 1st Edition,
Stephen Prothero
,chapter 1
1. Hindu monotheists, Buddhist soldiers, and Christian lesbians all challenge what
kind of assumptions about religious traditions?
a. perennialist assumptions
b. essentialist assumptions
c. the family resemblance approach
d. bracketing
2. Which of the following is a risk of the comparative approach in religious studies?
a. We may ignore how religious beliefs, practices, and stories have varied
across time and space.
b. The comparisons may be offensive to religious practitioners.
c. Religions are not comparable because each is unique.
d. Comparison may limit our ability to have a critical approach.
3. Alan is a college student. He has memorized the five pillars of Islam. Which aspect
of religious literacy has Alan started to achieve?
a. an empathic understanding
b. critical engagement
c. a comparative approach
d. knowledge about the world’s religions
, 4. The Branch Davidians were a small Christian sect led by David Koresh. Most of
them died in a violent conflict with federal authorities in 1993. Why are the Branch
Davidians not featured in this textbook?
a. The Branch Davidians were a cult, not a religion.
b. The textbook does not cover recent developments in religious history.
c. The Branch Davidians had less influence on the world than the religions that
are featured.
d. This textbook only discusses the positive aspects of religion.
5. Sheila is a “Jubu” (Jewish Buddhist) who keeps kosher and attends mindfulness
classes. What implications do Sheila’s religious beliefs have for the four-part model
of world religions?
a. Religions do not have techniques for solving religious problems.
b. Religious traditions are permeable and borrow from each other.
c. Religious traditions do not postulate problems with the human condition.
d. All religions are different paths up the same mountain.
6. Which of the following is the best example of a technique for achieving a religious
goal?
a. a Buddhist monk meditating
b. a Christian protestor picketing
c. a Muslim playing basketball
d. an atheist doing yoga
Stephen Prothero
,chapter 1
1. Hindu monotheists, Buddhist soldiers, and Christian lesbians all challenge what
kind of assumptions about religious traditions?
a. perennialist assumptions
b. essentialist assumptions
c. the family resemblance approach
d. bracketing
2. Which of the following is a risk of the comparative approach in religious studies?
a. We may ignore how religious beliefs, practices, and stories have varied
across time and space.
b. The comparisons may be offensive to religious practitioners.
c. Religions are not comparable because each is unique.
d. Comparison may limit our ability to have a critical approach.
3. Alan is a college student. He has memorized the five pillars of Islam. Which aspect
of religious literacy has Alan started to achieve?
a. an empathic understanding
b. critical engagement
c. a comparative approach
d. knowledge about the world’s religions
, 4. The Branch Davidians were a small Christian sect led by David Koresh. Most of
them died in a violent conflict with federal authorities in 1993. Why are the Branch
Davidians not featured in this textbook?
a. The Branch Davidians were a cult, not a religion.
b. The textbook does not cover recent developments in religious history.
c. The Branch Davidians had less influence on the world than the religions that
are featured.
d. This textbook only discusses the positive aspects of religion.
5. Sheila is a “Jubu” (Jewish Buddhist) who keeps kosher and attends mindfulness
classes. What implications do Sheila’s religious beliefs have for the four-part model
of world religions?
a. Religions do not have techniques for solving religious problems.
b. Religious traditions are permeable and borrow from each other.
c. Religious traditions do not postulate problems with the human condition.
d. All religions are different paths up the same mountain.
6. Which of the following is the best example of a technique for achieving a religious
goal?
a. a Buddhist monk meditating
b. a Christian protestor picketing
c. a Muslim playing basketball
d. an atheist doing yoga
