Ch. 19 Religion and Society

Religion: Basic Concepts Religion is a social institution involving beliefs and practices based on recognizing the sacred. Sacred: what people set apart as extraordinary, inspiring awe and reverence Profane: ordinary elements of life Ritual: formal ceremonial behaviour Faith: belief anchored in conviction rather than scientific evidence Estimated10,000 distinct religions worldwide

The Global Religious Landscape (Pew Research 2012 http://www. pewforum more than 8 in 10 people (80%) identify with a religious group 1 in 6 people around the globe (1.1 billion, or 16%) have no religious affiliation unaffiliated the third-largest religious group worldwide, behind Christians and Muslims Christians most evenly dispersed globally Median age varies by religious group: Muslim (23); Hindus (26); Christians (30); unaffiliated (34); Buddhists (34); Jews (36)

Is Religion Important? A Leger Marketing poll in 2012 found that less than half of Canadians say religion in important in their lives, two-thirds of the population say they believe in God Regional, gender and age differences Prairies highest, Quebec lowest Women more than men, and older more than younger say religion is a “force in their lives” (Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/holy-post/religion-not-important-to-most-canadians-although-majority-believe-in-god-poll)

Functions of Religion: Structural-Functional Analysis Social cohesion Social control Political leaders ask for blessing Providing meaning and purpose Marks life course transitions, e.g., weddings and funerals Critique: Religion generates social conflict and provokes violence

Constructing the Sacred: Symbolic-Interaction Analysis Religion is socially constructed Difference between sacred and profane is sharpened with rituals Defining oneself within the “cosmic frame of reference” gives sense of security and permanence Critique: Ignores link to inequality and conflict

Inequality and Religion: Social-Conflict Analysis Religion serves hierarchy by… Legitimizing the status quo and diverting people from inequalities to better world to come Marx: “opium of the people” Critique: religion can promote change: Helped abolish slavery and promoted civil rights Supports progressive causes

Religion and Social Change Max Weber: Protestantism and Capitalism Calvinists sought signs of salvation Worked hard and gained assets, but Reinvested instead of spending them Thought economic success showed God’s favour This became the foundation of capitalism

Religious Organizations Church: a type of religious organization well integrated into the larger community State church: is formally allied with the state Denomination: independent of the state Sect: stands apart from the larger society Charisma: extraordinary personal qualities New religious movement: movement to renew an existing church Cult: largely outside the cultural traditions

Religion in History Animism: belief that elements of the natural world are conscious life forms that affect humanity is found among hunter gatherers Concept of single divine power responsible for creation emerged with pastoral and horticultural societies Industrial revolution and science led to differentiation: science for how the world works and religion for why we and it exists Current debate: creationism vs. Darwinism Should both be taught in schools?

Christianity More than 2 billion followers globally (31.5%) 85% of Canadians and Americans Christianity originated as a cult Monotheism: belief in a single divine power Polytheism: belief in many gods Jesus is considered divine and was crucified making the cross a central symbol Takes many forms: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox, and others

Islam 1.3 billion followers worldwide (23.2%) Muslims are found predominantly in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa ((in Canada, 2% of population) Islam is the word of God as revealed to the prophet Muhammad, born in Mecca about 570. The Qur’an: submission to Allah as path to inner peace Five Pillars of Islam: Recognize Allah as the one true God Ritual prayer Giving alms to the poor Fasting during Ramadan Making a pilgrimage to Mecca

Judaism 15 million followers and a national majority in Israel but only .2% globally Belief: covenant exists between God and the Jewish people emphasizes moral behaviour in world not salvation Three main denominations Orthodox: very traditional Reform Judaism: more churchlike Conservative Judaism: the middle ground Anti-Semitism: prejudice and discrimination against Jews a global issue.

Hinduism Oldest of all religions with 800 Million followers Found mostly in South Asia and Africa Not linked to one person and no sacred writings Principles: DHARMA moral responsibilities KARMA refers to belief in spiritual progress through REINCARNATION, cycle of birth and rebirth MOKSHA: state of spiritual perfection

Buddhism 325 million followers, almost all Asians (5% of global population) Resembles Hinduism in doctrine Inspired by Siddhartha Gautama, who achieved enlightenment, NIRVANA, and became a Buddha Life involves suffering Use meditation to move beyond selfish concerns and desires

Confucianism 100s of millions of Chinese are influenced by it Confucius instructed his followers to engage in the world according to a strict code of moral conduct JEN: subordination of self to moral principle No sense of sacred, rather a sense of disciplined living

Religion in Canada Roman Catholic: 43.6% Protestant: 29.2% “No Religion”: 17% Muslim: 2%, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh: 1% each Religiosity: the importance of religion in life 84% believe in God; 20% attend services weekly

Religion in a Changing Society Secularization: historical decline in importance of the supernatural and sacred Civil religion: quasi-religious loyalty to a secular society, or one’s way of life Spirituality without formal religion: “New Age” believe in higher power and spirits Religious revival: membership and church going has plummeted over the last decades, but conservative religious organizations have benefited

Religion in a Changing Society (cont.) Fundamentalism: conservative doctrine that opposes intellectualism and worldly accommodation in favour of restoring traditional otherworldly religion Interprets texts literally Rejects religious pluralism Pursues the personal experience of God’s presence Opposes “secular humanism” Endorses conservative political goals Is not as strong in Canada as the U.S. and elsewhere Question: Will religion remain a major institution in society of the future?

Religion in 2050 (Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Report http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org)