Chapter 11: Religion and Sexualities

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. What is the relationship between the Stonewall riots and the gay liberation movement?

A. The riots launched the movement.

B. The riots acted as a catalyst for the existing movement.

C. The riots ended the movement.

D. The riots were complete separate from the movement.

2. When the authors use “sexuality,” they are referring to ______.

A. a biological reality

B. nonheterosexual identities

C. sexual orientation or preference

D. behaviors and practices

3. ______ exists when heterosexuality is privileged and institutionalized in societal norms.

A. Heteronormativity

B. Criminalization

C. Disillusionment

D. Marginalization

4. Which religious views tend to sacralize heteronormativity?

A. belief in genderless god

B. profertility beliefs

C. taking an interpretative approach to the Bible

D. progender equality beliefs

5. People from what tradition are most likely to hold homonegative views?

A. evangelical Protestantism

B. mainline Protestantism

C. Catholicism

D. Islam

6. Which of the following is a strong predictor of homonegative beliefs across religious traditions?

A. reporting that religion is very salient in one’s life

B. attending church monthly

C. praying daily

D. reading the Bible figuratively

7. Which of the following best characterizes the overall trend in U.S. attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community?

A. Atheists and agnostics have liberalized; religious people have not.

B. Religious people have liberalized; atheists and agnostics have not.

C. Attitudes have liberalized over time.

D. Attitudes have become more conservative over time.

8. How do evangelical and Black Protestants see homosexuality?

A. As natural but still sinful.

B. As an acceptable identity but an unacceptable choice.

C. as a natural manifestation of sexuality

D. as a behavior and a choice

9. Which of the following has become more tightly coupled with homonegative views over time?

A. attending worship services weekly

B. attending worship services occasionally

C. praying daily

D. praying occasionally

10. Which country was the first to establish marriage equality in 2000?

A. France

B. England

C. the Netherlands

D. Indonesia

11. Which of the following plays a critical role in facilitating cultural and legal change?

A. having an official religion

B. being a predominantly Protestant country

C. secularization

D. economic development

12. In what year did Obergefell v. Hodges bring marriage equality to the United States?

A. 2000

B. 2005

C. 2010

D. 2015

13. A denomination states that same-sex marriages are banned, yet a local clergy member performs one and does not face a penalty. This is best explained by ______.

A. denominational schisms

B. loose coupling

C. religious freedom

D. Obergefell v. Hodges

14. What policy—not related to sexuality—is sometimes used to ban LGBTQIA clergy?

A. Biblical inerrancy

B. loose coupling

C. celibacy requirements

D. gender-based discrimination

15. When a denomination decides to affirm same-sex marriages and/or clergy, what often happens within the denomination?

A. More conservative churches leave.

B. Loose coupling is enforced.

C. Liberal churches merge to form a new denomination.

D. The decision is taken to court.

16. Why do some churches go by names such as “More Light,” “Open and Affirming,” “Reconciled in Christ,” and “Reconciling Congregations?”

A. They are signaling their desire to have a theologically diverse congregation.

B. They are showing their commitment to Biblical literalism.

C. They are officially welcoming and supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community.

D. They are churches that perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.

17. Which denomination was created to fully include and affirm the LGBTQIA+ community?

A. the United Church of Christ

B. the Metropolitan Community Church

C. the Episcopal Church

D. the More Light Ministries

18. The United Church of Christ has the highest percentage of affirming churches, with ______ of local churches being officially open and affirming.

A. 12%

B. 17%

C. 23%

D. 31%

19. People who reject their religious identity and accept their sexual identity can be understood as ______.

A. integrated

B. liberated

C. disillusioned

D. embattled

20. About what percentage of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals are unaffiliated?

A. 20%

B. 30%

C. 40%

D. 50%

Essay

When it comes to essay questions, students sometimes write poorly because they are guessing about what the instructor wants, even if the question seems to be perfectly clear. For that reason we strongly recommend provision of an audience (so students know how much to assume in use of sociological vocabulary as well as how much must be made explicit) and criteria for evaluation (which is information that any writer needs to know.) Below are two sample statements that might be used as part of an essay question.

A. This essay calls for presentation and defense of an informed opinion. You should write for a well-educated reader, but one unfamiliar with sociological approaches to the study of religion. You will be graded on (a) provision of a clearly stated thesis, (b) the clarity and sophistication of your rationale, and (c) the ability to support your argument with strong evidence. Sophistication of rationale refers to awareness of the complexity of the issues. The side of the argument that you support is irrelevant to the grading criteria.

B. Your audience for this essay should be senior sociology majors who know sociological vocabulary but have never specifically studied the sociology of religion. The criteria for evaluation will be (1) accuracy of explanation, (2) clarity of illustrations or examples, and (3) thoroughness in exploring all dimensions of the issue.

Since some of these questions call for careful reflection, you might consider giving students a list of these and other essay questions in advance.

1. What is heteronormativity, and how do religious groups reinforce it?

2. Explain the liberalization of attitudes in the United States toward the LGBTQIA+ community. Be sure to summarize major patterns across religious traditions.

3. How is heteronormativity similar to and different from prejudice against women in religious organizations?

4. Summarize religious divisions around same-sex marriages. Be sure to consider how marriage equality around the world is also shaped by religion.

5. What is loose coupling? How does loose coupling enable some local congregations to be affirming?

6. What is the Metropolitan Community Church? How does the MCC view religious and sexual identities?

7. How do LGBTQIA+ people navigate their religious and sexual identities? What are some different strategies they use?

8. How do denominations navigate controversies over ordaining LGBTQIA clergy?