Sam believes that evil spirits cause poverty and starvation - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 13 - 2017 - Paper 1

To determine which perspective Sam is associated with, we first need to understand the implications of his belief that evil spirits cause poverty and starvation.

1. Animist: An animist would believe that spirits, particularly those tied to nature, can influence the world and human affairs. Since Sam attributes poverty and starvation to evil spirits, this belief aligns closely with animism.

2. Humanist: Humanists typically focus on human values and concerns, often disregarding supernatural explanations for phenomena. This does not align with Sam's belief system.

3. Materialist: Materialists hold that everything can be explained by material, physical, and economic conditions. Sam's belief in spirits causing poverty suggests a rejection of materialist views, so this does not fit.

4. Rationalist: Rationalists rely heavily on logic and scientific reasoning, which again does not support the idea of evil spirits influencing human conditions.

Based on these interpretations, the best answer is:

A. Animist. Sam is most likely an Animist due to his belief in the influence of evil spirits.