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 pe
...
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.
Jahiliyya Correct answer- What: Age of ignorance. Time of lawlessness, immaturity, and
ignorance.
When: preislamic period, before the revelation of the Quran
Where: in arabia
Why:
Ka'ba Correct answer- Who- associated with God
What- cube-shaped building w/ a meteoric lack stone embedded in it, house of God
When- 5th century
Where- Mecca
Why- holy place to worship God
Describe the geography of the Arabian Peninsula (Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct
answer- Very desert-like, dry, sandy, like the surface of mars, many oases (agriculture
by these)
What were the three major sources of economic livelihood for the pre-Islamic Arabs?
(Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct answer- 1. Trade- by sea and camels. Traded milk,
meat, leather, textiles, weapons, and incense.
2. Agriculture- dates (staple crop), wheat, and vegetables
3. Herding- goats, camels, and sheep for meat and milk
Describe the society and culture of the pre-Islamic pagan Arabs. How was their society
structured? What were their values? (List and explain at least four). What was their
primary art form? (Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct answer- - Tribal- everyone in an
area is related to common ancestor and you must memorize your ancestors.
- Culture: tribes would fight, struggles for power, similar to mafia
- Primary art form was poetry.
- Positive values: military skill, loyalty, bravery, generosity
- Negative values: retaliatory killing (if tribe A kills someone in tribe B, B avenges by
killing anyone in tribe A), slavery, alcohol, prostitution, etc.
List three religions that had large numbers of adherents in the Arabian Peninsula at the
time of the Prophet Muhammad's birth. (Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct answer- 1.
Arabian polytheism
2. Christianity
3. Judaism
Muhammad Correct answer- Who- the Prophet of Allah and Founder of Islam
What- recited verses from Allah that make up the Quran
When- born 570 CE, died 652 CE
Where- born in Mecca in Quraysh tribe
Why- God sent him information in dreams and through Gabriel. The Prophet sent to
confirm the teaching of other prophets.
Quraysh Correct answer- What: Tribe Muhammad was born into
Who: Leading tribe of Islam
When: 5th Century
Where: Mecca, controlled Kaba
Why: Rejected ideas of Islams and got into many wars with Muslims
Khadijah Correct answer- Who- wife of Muhammad, 15 years older than him
What- Muhamad's first believer, conversed with Muhammad after first revelation
When- married in 595 CE
Where- lives in Mecca
Why- they meet b/c Khadija hired Muhammad to do work for her
Allah Correct answer- Who- God
What- primary name used to refer to God in the Quran
Islam Correct answer- - Means "submission"
- Worship God alone
- Monotheistic religion that teaches that Muhammad is the Messenger of God
Hijra Correct answer- - When: 622
- Where: Mecca to Medina
- What: Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina. Quraysh planned to assassinate
him in his sleep, yet his brother slept in his bed instead and he took off to Medina in the
middle of the night
- Why: Did this to escape persecution. In Medina, Muhamad was able to establish Islam
and gain followers.
Give a detailed overview of the major events in Muhammad's life until his arrival in
Medina. List at least eight events and for four of them, the year in which they occurred.
(Hint: it may be easier to memorize the year of Muhammad's birth - 570 CE - and then
to memorize events by his age at the time, e.g. He married Khadija at age 25, which
would be 595 CE) (Mattson). Correct answer- 570 CE- Muhammad born
576- Mother dies when he is 6 and he becomes an orphan.
Begins work as a trader
595- married Khadija
610- received his first revelation from Gabriel
613- begins publicly preaching
619- Khadijah dies. "year of sadness"
622- Hijra migration to Medina
622/623- Constitution of Medina created
628- Muhammad take 1400 followers on peaceful pilgrimage to Mecca
630- Conquest of Mecca
632- Muhammad's Death
Why did members of Muhammad's tribe convert? List and explain at least three possible
reasons (Mattson) Correct answer- - ersonal trust in the prophet (friends and family, he
was also very likeable
- Gives women, slaves, orphans, downtrodden, hope. They also had nothing to lose.
- Doctrine of the afterlife was appealing when life felt unjust
How did the Quraysh respond to Muhammad's preaching? What parts of his preaching
did they find problematic and why? (Mattson) Correct answer- - They teased and
tortured him, economic boycott, no respect, thought he was a liar, crazy, poet.
1. Condemnation of polytheism
a. By calling upon Quraysh to stop worshipping deities, fear that the cosmos will not be
maintained
2. Condemnation of idolatry (their religion)
a. No one like to be told their day-to-day actions will put them in hell
b. By calling upon stop worshipping idols, its an economic threat to the ty b/c theres a
religious tourism to kaba worship
helpers (Ansar) Correct answer- - Who: Muslims in Medina that helped the migrant
Muslims from Mecca
- Where: in Medina
- When: after Hijra in 622
- Why: they enabled the Muslims to survive in a new city, virtual brotherhoods that
Muhammad made between the Ansar and migrants in Medina were one way unified
Emigrants (Muhajirun) Correct answer- - Refugees from Mecca who followed
Muhammad to Medina to seek safety from prejudice.
- Muhammad established a pact of brotherhood between the Ansar and the Muhajirun.
The Medinan person will care for the Meccan as if he's his brother
Constitution of Medina Correct answer- - Who- written by the Prophet, mainly between
Muslims of Medina and Jews
- What- pledge of mutual defense, protection of life and property, Muhammad as
commander in chief, addresses reciprocal obligation of the people, rights and
responsibilities of citizens
- When- 622/623
- Where- Medina
- Why- United the city and provides order. Muslims at an advantage,
Battle of Badr Correct answer- Who- Muslims vs Quraysh (CORRECT?)
What- Muhammad authorizes raiding party to take good from Quraysh caravan
returning to Mecca
When- 624 CE
Where- near the red sea coast
Muhammad received revelation
Why- First military conflict. The prophet and the Muslims won despite being outnumber
1:3 ratio. Increases the faith of the followers.
Battle of the Trench / Ditch Correct answer- Who- Quraysh vs. Muslims OR muslims vs.
Meccans?
What- Quraysh raise largest fihting force peninsula has ever seen (10,000 men).
Quraysh gave up.
When- 627 CE
WhereWhy- Muslims dig a big ditch.
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah Correct answer- Who- between Muhammad of Medina and
Qurayshi tribe of Mecca
What- 10 year peace treaty
When- 628 CE
WhereWhy- Unequal agreement on treatment of runaways that favored the Quraysh. Helped
Muslims grow though because there was peace.
Conquest of Mecca Correct answer- Who- 10,000 Muslims march on Mecca
What- bloodless conquest
WhenWhere- Mecca
Why- he grants mass amnesty/forgiveness to inhabitants. Marks the end of wars
between followers of Muhammad and the Quraysh tribe.
What steps did Muhammad take to organize the city of Medina when he arrived?
Discuss the roles played by the Muslim emigrants from Mecca (Muhajirun), Medinese
Helpers (Ansar), and Jews. List at least three steps. Correct answer- 1. Built a central
mosque in Medina- creates sense of community and allowed Muhammad to address
everyone in one place
2. Pact of brotherhood between Meccans and Medinans
3. Constitution of Medina
How did the practice of Islam develop in Medina? Identify at least four new
developments in ritual practice or religious legislation (obligations and prohibitions).
CORRECT? Correct answer- - Prohibition of alcohol
- Fast of Ramadan
- Zakat- obligatory charity 2.5% of wealth
How does the Qur'an talk about war? When does it say that war is permitted and for
what purposes? Correct answer- - Gives permission to engage in warfare to stop or
prevent oppression
- Does not prefer war over other means of achieving justice
Does not permit random act of war/violence
Give an overview of Muhammad's relationship with the Jews of Medina (starts on p. 65
of Mattson) (Check with Grace) Correct answer- - Muhammad recognizes Judaism as a
path to God
- Muhammad didn't have any military or political conflict with Jews except for a particular
group from the "people of the book" who aided disbelievers.
Describe some of the Qur'an's social teachings (from pp. 68-73 of Mattson) Correct
answer- - Spiritual equality of men and women
- Recognizes sexual desire between men and women, prohibits sexual desire out of
marriage
- Community building
- Promotes the brotherhood of believers by acknowledging that there will be times of
conflict due to group differences.
Summarize Muhammad's overall impact on Arabian society. Identify at least three areas
of change (Lecture) Correct answer- Polytheism à monotheism
No belief in afterlife à belief in afterlife
No system of law à system of law (IS THIS THE CONSTITUION OF MEDINA?)
Disunited warring tribes à united Muslim community
Sunna Correct answer- What- The way of the prophet, a customary habit or way of
doing things
Why- provides guidance for followers, followers tried to mirror Muhammad's everyday
actions in their everyday lives. Way of eating, sleeping, walking, sexual desires,
everything, etc.
Describe Muhammad's physical appearance and demeanor as remembered by his
followers. Give at least three descriptions for each (Watt). Correct answer- - Average
height
- Hooked nose, large black eyes
- Fond of children
- Gentle
- Walked as if he were walking down hill
How does the Qur'an understand Muhammad? List at least three understandings.
(Handout) Correct answer- - As human, not divine
- A beautiful role model
- Concerned about his community
Explain the role played by Muhammad in Muslim piety. How do Muslims pattern their life
on his? Give at least three examples (Hanson). CORRECT? Correct answerMuhammad's sunna is a role model for muslims. They tried to copy his being.
- Raise palms open in prayer
- The way they enter and exit homes
- Hadiths in every Muslim's home
Sira Correct answer- Hadith- "speech"
What- Transmitted reports of what Muhammad said, did, and approved of.
WhyMatn Correct answer- Main Text of a hadith report about prophet
[Show More]
