Religion

Religion Belief in a worship of a superhuman, controlling power, especially a personal God or gods A pursuit/interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance

What it is meant for Guiding human behavior, gives meaning to life, unties believers into single moral community

Terms Ecclesia-religious organization that’s so integrated into dominant culture claims all members of society Church-bureaucratically organized religious organizations seeks accommodations with larger society to maintain degree of control Denomination-large organized religion characterized by accommodation to society but lacking in ability or intention to dominate society Sect-relatively small religious group that has broken away from another religious group to renew views as original version of faith

Major Religions Islam Christianity Buddhism Hinduism Judaism Confucianism

Cults Loosely organized religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of society

Trends-Social Inequality Most affluent are mainline liberal churches ie-Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Congregationalists Attributed to helping create economic system of America

Social Inequality Middle class, working class, and lower class are Baptist This is attributed to some because of a more conservative lifestyle causing traditional gender roles

Trends-Race and Class See denominations moving around based on where the people are located More Baptist churches in urban areas-struggle to survive Having trouble with finances may be more drawn to churches of integrity and dignity-providing hope, social service center, comm. org

Secularization Separating government and religion Secular humanism-become better on own without divine help

Fundamentalism Religious doctrine that’s conservative, opposed to modernity, rejects worldly pleasures in favor of spiritual ones Public schools

Christianity

Religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus or its beliefs and practices Most popular religion in the world

The Bible Has the old testament and New Full of stories, songs, poetry, letters, and history Old Testament-5 books, rules and regulations Examples of how meant to live Pslams-songs and prayers Proverbs-sayings Ezra, Nehemiah 1-2 Chronicles-history

New Testament 27 books, between 50-100 AD Tell the story of Jesus Offer advice-Romans, Hebrews, Paul Gospels-present life and teachings of Jesus

Conclusion Revelation Four horsemen of the apocalypse-war, famine, death, vengenence/salvation Good triumphs over evil Faithfulness rewarded, justice done Seven headed beast-seven emperors

Beliefs Only 1 God Jesus is the son of God brought to save man from death and sin Gained forgiveness from death of Jesus Trinity- Father (perfect and everywhere), Son (God and Human), and Holy Spirit (Jesus’ spirit) There is life after death Saints-lived godly life

Prayer Address God as the Father Church-faith nutured

Holy Days Epiphany Lent Christmas Easter Holy Week Ascension Day Corpus Christi Pentecost

Eucharist Feast (last supper) Celebration to commemorate final meal Jesus took with disciples Wine-blood of Christ Bread-body of Christ Communion-unity

Christmas Celebrate birth of Jesus In Matthew and Luke Luke-Mary visited by an angel, give birth to God’s son, shepherds Matthew-Joseph visited and persuaded to marry Mary, Wiseman No mention of an actual date for his birth, Pope Julius set the date to Christianize pagan celebrations

Easter Culmination of the Holy Week Resurrection of Jesus

Sects Amish Christadephians Church of Scotland Eastern Orthodox Methodist Catholic Baptist Lutheran Presbyterian Episcopalian Mormon Jehovah’s Witness Quaker Born Again

Questions to Ask What is the history of this sect? What are their key beliefs? What holidays or Holy days are recognized? Name at least 4 Why are those holy days important? What style of worship is used? Is it more traditional or more modern?