Question

1. from a sociological point of view, which statement best compares a church, a sect, and a cult as types of religious organizations?

a. a church is private, a sect is individual, and a cult has no community life
b. a church is always violent; a sect is always peaceful; a cult never has rules
c. a church is a large, accepted religious body; a sect is a stricter break away group; a cult is a new group built around a novel belief or leader
d. a church and a sect are the same, but a cult is any religion with many members

1. which statement best describes the role of a totem in a religious or traditional group?

a. it is always a powerful magic object that grants wishes
b. it is a symbol that represents the group and its sacred values
c. it is simply another word for a church building
d. it is a law book used by the government to punish crimes

Explanation:

For question 8: Sociological definitions distinguish these religious groups by size, social acceptance, origin, and belief structure. Churches are large, mainstream bodies; sects are stricter splinter groups from established religions; cults are new, unorthodox groups centered on novel beliefs or leaders.
For question 9: In religious and traditional groups, a totem is a symbolic object (often an animal or plant) that represents the group's identity, shared sacred values, and connection to the spiritual world.

Answer:

1. C. A church is a large, accepted religious body; a sect is a stricter break away group; a cult is a new group built around a novel belief or leader
2. B. It is a symbol that represents the group and its sacred values