Solutions
Phenomenology view of Religion ANS Accepts religion as an enduring human phenomenon, which can be
studied and appreciated as a phenomenon, on its own terms, without seeking to explain its origins nor judge as
to whether it is true or false
Reductionist ANS Attempts to understand the origins of religion and to explain religion in terms of its
significance and function in society, typically explaining or describing religion in non-religious terms (e.g. in
terms of psychology or sociology)
Theological view of Religion ANS Assumes that the divine is real and that religion is a response or
approach to spiritual realities, assumes that at least one religion is true
Emile Durkheim ANS Argued that the sacred is simply a symbol of the society, linked religion with society
as a "mirror" of the society; authored the book "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life"
Sigmund Freud ANS An atheist who viewed religion as an "outward manifestation of basic psychological
causes," considered religion to be an illusion, a form of "wish fulfillment" and a projection of neuroses;
authored several books exploring the nature of religion, including "Totem and Taboo"
Rudolf Otto ANS Saw God or "the Holy" as the reality that stands beyond and behind what we call
"religion," identified this "Holy" as numinous and the "mysterium tremendum fascinans"; authored the book
"The Idea of the Holy"
Mircea Eliade ANS Considered awareness of the sacred to be at the heart of the human religious
experience; authored the book The Sacred and the Profane
narrative/mythic dimension of religion ANS Stories that work on several levels.
ritual dimension of religion ANS Forms and orders of ceremonies.
The experiential/emotional dimension of religion ANS The emotions and experiences people have
pertaining to religion.
, The social/institutional dimension of religion ANS Belief systems and attitudes shared by the group.
The ethical/legal dimension of religion ANS Rules about human behavior.
The doctrinal/philosophical dimension of religion ANS Systematic formulation of religious teachings in an
intellectually coherent form.
The material dimension of religion ANS Ordinary objects or places that symbolize or manifest the sacred
or supernatural.
The three "missionary" religions ANS Buddhism, Christianity, Islam
Three religions older than Christianity ANS Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism
Major religions, oldest to youngest ANS Hinduism, Juadism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam
Major religions, most to fewest followers ANS Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism
Defining religion: Bias ANS A definition that passes a positive or negative judgment on religion.
Defining religion: Narrowness ANS A definition that does not include systems generally accepted as
religions.
Defining religion: Broadness ANS A definition that does include systems that are not generally accepted as
religions.
Defining religion: Substantive ANS A definition that includes the composition of religion.
Defining religion: Functional ANS A definition that includes what religion does (usually emotionally) for
its followers.