Study Questions

  1. At the beginning of the chapter, Ritzer says that many scholars see religion as difficult or impossible to define. Why do you think that is?
     
  2. How can you apply “paradox of community” to extreme fundamentalist Islam and the impact of the war on terror?
     
  3. Do you think religion will strengthen or weaken in the future? Explain your answer.
     
  4. Some religious leaders suggest that science is the enemy of religion. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? (Hint: consider what science tries to explain versus what religion tries to explain).
     
  5. How does belief differ from fact? Give examples.
     
  6. How has secularization changed American society? What are the positive and negative aspects of secularization?