Answer to Question 1
Religions have been classified into four main categories based on their dominant belief.
(1) In very simple preindustrial societies, religion often takes the form of simple
supernaturalismthe belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives either
positively or negatively. This type of religion does not acknowledge specific gods or
supernatural spirits but focuses instead on impersonal forces that may exist in people or
natural objects. (2) Animism is the belief that plants, animals, or other elements of the
natural world are endowed with spirits or life forces that have an impact on events in
society. Animism is associated with early hunting and gathering societies and with
Native American societies, in which everyday life is not separated from the elements
of the natural world. (3) Theism is a belief in a god or gods. Horticultural societies
were among the first to practice monotheisma belief in a single supreme being or
god who is responsible for significant events such as the creation of the world. Three
of the major world religionsChristiani ty, Judaism, and Islamare monotheistic. By
contrast, Hinduism, Shinto, and a number of the indigenous religions of Africa are
forms of polytheisma belief in more than one god. (4) Transcendent idealism is a
nontheistic religiona religion based on a belief in divine spiritual forces such as
sacred principles of thought and conduct, rather than a god or gods. Transcendent
idealism focuses on principles such as truth, justice, affirmation of life, and tolerance
for others, and its adherents seek an elevated state of consciousness in which they can
fulfill their true potential.
Answer to Question 2
c