Quran Midterm Exam
What are four benefits of studying religion identified by Gary Kessler? Explain each.
Correct answer- - Developing a global multicultural perspective- this new perspective
allows us to better engage with the diverse people around us and escape ethnocentric
attitudes.
- Comparative perspective- comparing person religion with others, which allows you to
not only learn about other religions, but gain a deeper understand of our own and what
we believe.
- Reflect on the meaning and purpose of our lives- studying religion gives us time to
think and reflect on how to live the good life. this makes us better people and allows us
to develop our belief in the purpose of life.
- Prepares you for career- makes one tolerant to diversity and able to engage with all
different people. This is a strong quality that employers look for. Gives your more
knowledge of history.
Identify two major predicted changes to the religious landscape of the US and two major
predicted changes to the religious landscape of the world that are expected to occur in
your life time. (Pew) Correct answer- US:
1. Christian population will decline greatly from ¾ pop in 2010 to 2/3 in 2050.
2. Judaism will no longer be the largest non-Christian religion
World:
1. # of Muslims will nearly equal the # of Christians around the world
2. 4/10 Christians in the world will live in Sub-Saharan Africa
What common goals does Pope Paul VI envision for Christians and Muslims? Identify at
least three. (Nostra Aetate) Correct answer- - Urges all to forget the past and work for
mutual understanding
- Promote social justice and moral welfare
- Promote peace and freedom
Polemics Correct answer- an attack on the religion of others
Apologetics Correct answer- the defense of an individual's own religion
TRUE or FALSE: It is illegal to teach about the Bible or Qur'an in American public
schools. Explain. (Kessler) Correct answer- - False. Teaching about it merely provides
information without supporting a particular sect. however, they must avoid the teaching
OF religion, which promotes a particular viewpoint b/c that would go against the doctrine
of religious freedom.
What is the difference between studying a religion from an insider's (confessional) and
an outsider's (academic) perspective? Identify the methodological difference and a pro
, and con of each approach (assuming each method is executed well) (Kessler) For the
mid-term/final, but not for the quiz, be able to explain the methodological difference in
terms of their different goals, assumptions, and typical questions. Correct answer- -
Insiders- the study of religion is a religious activity that presupposes a commitment.
o Pro: can appreciate feelings that an observer can easily miss, emotional connection
o Con: can become defensive and prejudicial (distort the facts)
o Assumptions: god exists, Islam is true, Muhammad is true
o Questions: what should I do, what should I believe
- Outsiders- the academic study of religion that does not presuppose any religious
commitment
o Pro: greater hope for achieving objectivity, less bias
o Con: can lead to radical depersonalization of the subject matter.
o Assumptions- not relevant, not assuming and not denying
Which Christian denomination is Texas Christian University affiliated with? What are two
"hallmarks" of this denomination? Explain each hallmark. (Middleton and Flowers)
Correct answer- - The Disciples of Christ
1. Commitment to ecumenism- an openness and willingness to engage in difference.
Unity is sought in diversity
2. Academic rigor- a thinking faith in which we view religious devotion in tandem with
the study of social, biological science, fine arts, etc.
textual essentialism Correct answer- belief that actions of Muslims can be explained by
the sacred text
What are three good habits necessary to engage in the academic study of religion?
Explain each. (Kessler pp. 4-9 and Hewer) Correct answer- - Openness-to let data in,
be open to surprises, and recognize the fallibility of one's beliefs.
- Honesty- not having prejudice when learning new things and overcome the viewpoints
that they may impose.
- Critical intelligence- to see things clearly so judgement is fair. It involves analysis
where you break ideas down and synthesis is putting the things back together to
understand the ideas as a whole.
What are three bad habits to avoid when studying another religion? (Kessler pp. 4 - 9
and Hewer) Correct answer- - Using non-native terms (ex: NOT church, yes MOSQUE)
- Textual essentialism- belief that a sacred text fully explains the actions of religious
people (ex: Quran was a best seller after 9/11)
- Making Islam a monolith- assuming all Muslims believe and act the same way
What is the problem with relying upon the news media for one's knowledge of other
countries and cultures, including the Muslim world? Correct answer- Because the news
broadcasts things like Muslim terrorism because that gets them the most views. They
partake in framing, which includes a lot of biases, and leads the world to view Islam in a
very negative light.
What are four benefits of studying religion identified by Gary Kessler? Explain each.
Correct answer- - Developing a global multicultural perspective- this new perspective
allows us to better engage with the diverse people around us and escape ethnocentric
attitudes.
- Comparative perspective- comparing person religion with others, which allows you to
not only learn about other religions, but gain a deeper understand of our own and what
we believe.
- Reflect on the meaning and purpose of our lives- studying religion gives us time to
think and reflect on how to live the good life. this makes us better people and allows us
to develop our belief in the purpose of life.
- Prepares you for career- makes one tolerant to diversity and able to engage with all
different people. This is a strong quality that employers look for. Gives your more
knowledge of history.
Identify two major predicted changes to the religious landscape of the US and two major
predicted changes to the religious landscape of the world that are expected to occur in
your life time. (Pew) Correct answer- US:
1. Christian population will decline greatly from ¾ pop in 2010 to 2/3 in 2050.
2. Judaism will no longer be the largest non-Christian religion
World:
1. # of Muslims will nearly equal the # of Christians around the world
2. 4/10 Christians in the world will live in Sub-Saharan Africa
What common goals does Pope Paul VI envision for Christians and Muslims? Identify at
least three. (Nostra Aetate) Correct answer- - Urges all to forget the past and work for
mutual understanding
- Promote social justice and moral welfare
- Promote peace and freedom
Polemics Correct answer- an attack on the religion of others
Apologetics Correct answer- the defense of an individual's own religion
TRUE or FALSE: It is illegal to teach about the Bible or Qur'an in American public
schools. Explain. (Kessler) Correct answer- - False. Teaching about it merely provides
information without supporting a particular sect. however, they must avoid the teaching
OF religion, which promotes a particular viewpoint b/c that would go against the doctrine
of religious freedom.
What is the difference between studying a religion from an insider's (confessional) and
an outsider's (academic) perspective? Identify the methodological difference and a pro
, and con of each approach (assuming each method is executed well) (Kessler) For the
mid-term/final, but not for the quiz, be able to explain the methodological difference in
terms of their different goals, assumptions, and typical questions. Correct answer- -
Insiders- the study of religion is a religious activity that presupposes a commitment.
o Pro: can appreciate feelings that an observer can easily miss, emotional connection
o Con: can become defensive and prejudicial (distort the facts)
o Assumptions: god exists, Islam is true, Muhammad is true
o Questions: what should I do, what should I believe
- Outsiders- the academic study of religion that does not presuppose any religious
commitment
o Pro: greater hope for achieving objectivity, less bias
o Con: can lead to radical depersonalization of the subject matter.
o Assumptions- not relevant, not assuming and not denying
Which Christian denomination is Texas Christian University affiliated with? What are two
"hallmarks" of this denomination? Explain each hallmark. (Middleton and Flowers)
Correct answer- - The Disciples of Christ
1. Commitment to ecumenism- an openness and willingness to engage in difference.
Unity is sought in diversity
2. Academic rigor- a thinking faith in which we view religious devotion in tandem with
the study of social, biological science, fine arts, etc.
textual essentialism Correct answer- belief that actions of Muslims can be explained by
the sacred text
What are three good habits necessary to engage in the academic study of religion?
Explain each. (Kessler pp. 4-9 and Hewer) Correct answer- - Openness-to let data in,
be open to surprises, and recognize the fallibility of one's beliefs.
- Honesty- not having prejudice when learning new things and overcome the viewpoints
that they may impose.
- Critical intelligence- to see things clearly so judgement is fair. It involves analysis
where you break ideas down and synthesis is putting the things back together to
understand the ideas as a whole.
What are three bad habits to avoid when studying another religion? (Kessler pp. 4 - 9
and Hewer) Correct answer- - Using non-native terms (ex: NOT church, yes MOSQUE)
- Textual essentialism- belief that a sacred text fully explains the actions of religious
people (ex: Quran was a best seller after 9/11)
- Making Islam a monolith- assuming all Muslims believe and act the same way
What is the problem with relying upon the news media for one's knowledge of other
countries and cultures, including the Muslim world? Correct answer- Because the news
broadcasts things like Muslim terrorism because that gets them the most views. They
partake in framing, which includes a lot of biases, and leads the world to view Islam in a
very negative light.
