1. Chapter 16
Religion

2. Religion Any set of coherent answers to the dilemmas of human existence that makes the world meaningful; a system of beliefs and rituals that helps bind people together into a social group.
Ritual A formal pattern of activity that expresses symbolically a set of shared meanings.

3. Sacred A term used to describe phenomena that are regarded as extraordinary, transcendent, and outside the everyday course of events.
Profane A term used to describe phenomena that are not considered sacred.

4. Secularization A process in which the dominance of religion over other institutions is reduced.
Simple supernaturalism A form of religion in which people may believe in a great force or spirit but do not have a well-defined concept of god or a set of rituals involving god.

5. Animism A form of religion in which all forms of life and all aspects of the earth are inhabited by gods or supernatural powers.
Theism A belief system that conceives of a god or gods as separate from humans and from other living things on the earth.

6. Polytheistic A term used to describe a theistic belief system that includes numerous gods.
Monotheistic A term used to describe a theistic belief system centered on belief in a single all-powerful god.

7. Civil religion A collection of beliefs and rituals that exist outside religious institutions.
Church A religious organization that has strong ties to the larger society.

8. Sect A religious organization that rejects the beliefs and practices of existing churches; usually formed when a group leaves the church to form a rival organization.
Denomination A religious organization that is on good terms with the institution from which it developed but must compete with other denominations for members.

9. Cult A new religion.
Religiosity The depth of a person’s religious feelings.