Religion: Anthropology Optional PYQs

5. Religion:

Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magico-religious functionaries (priest, shaman,medicine man, sorcerer and witch).

1. “Nature Totemism continuities is a religion .” Substantiate based on.man (200- words) (1981) 
2. Discuss the theories of origins of religion. Which one appears to be most adequate? (1982)
3. Distinguish between : Animism and animatism.(1984)
4. How do you explain the origin and evolution of religion ? How does religion continue to function in human society ? (1985)
5. Write a note on differences between primitive religion and world religion. (1986)
6. Distinguish between religion and magic. Critically examine the different theories of religion and comment on their relevance today.(1987)
7. What do you mean by totemism ? Discuss the role of totemism in the tribal life of India. (1989)
8. Describe the origin of religion. Distinguish between religion and magic.(1990)
9. What is religion ? Discuss Taylor’s theory of origin of religion. (1991)
10. Write a note on Religion and Magic (1992)
11. What is Taboo. Discuss the Significance  of Taboo in primitive societies. (1992)
12. Highlight the significance of religious practices in Tribal Communities of India. (1993)
13. Describe the role of totemism in primitive religion, according to Durkheim. (1994)
14. Why have religion and magic become stable features of a society ? What role do the religious functionaries play in simple and non-literate societies ? (1996)
15. Write a note on Witchcraft and sorcery (1998)
16. Discuss some of the characteristic features of tribal religions in India and state how far have they changed in recent times. (1999)
17. Distinguish between magic and religion. Give suitable examples. (2004)
18. “Witchcraft accusation is the result of strained interpersonal relations.” Explain. (2005)
19. Discuss Anthropological approaches to the study of Religion. (2006)
20. Write a note on Shamanism (2007)
21. How anthropologists define Religion? Describe various forms of religion with suitable examples? (2007)
22. Explain various anthropological approaches to study religion. (2011)
23. Distinguish between Religion, Magic and Science. (2012)
24. Write a note in 150 words on Totemism (2013)
25. How does taboo serve as a means of social control ? (250 words) (2013)
26. What is understood by ‘Rites of Passage’ ? Describe the various phases of the ‘Rites of Passage’ and their significance.(2014)
27. How do you relate the concepts of ‘Sacred’ and ‘Profane’ in Durkheim’s  theory of religion with a focus on the role of totem ?(2015)
28. Write a note in 150 words on Totemism.(2016)
29. Critically different Anthropological approaches to religion. (2016)
30. Write a note in 150 words on Difference between religion and magic. (2017)
31. Discuss the different traditional forms of religion in tribal societies. (2017)
32. Write a note in 150 words on Difference between Science and Magic (2018)
33. Critically explain the anthropological approaches to religion. (2019)
34. Write notes on Animism and Deep Ecology in about 150 words. (2021)
35. Write notes on: Shaman, sorcerer and medicine man. (2022)
36. How did Clifford Geertz look at religion? Differentiate between anthropological and psychological approaches to the study of religion. (2023)
37. Critically examine James Frazer’s theory of evolutionism. Elucidate the place of religion in modernity. (2025)