Religion Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Basic Concepts Emile Durkheim Religion involves things that surpass the limits of our knowledge. Profane–Ordinary elements of everyday life Sacred–Set apart as extraordinary, inspiring awe and reverence Religion–The social institution involving beliefs and practices based on recognizing the sacred Ritual–Formal, ceremonial behavior Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion and Sociology Faith–Belief based conviction rather than scientific evidence Sociology asks why religions take a particular form in one society or another. Asks how religious activity affects society as a whole Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Structural-functional Analysis Durkheim: Religion has 3 major functions. Social cohesion Totem–An object in the natural world collectively defined as sacred Social control Provides meaning and purpose Critical Evaluation Downplays religion’s dysfunctions such as generating social conflict and violence Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Symbolic-interaction Analysis Religion is socially constructed. Berger: “Cosmic frame of reference” gives us the appearance of “ultimate security and permanence.” Critical Evaluation Downplays religion’s link to social inequality Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Social-conflict Analysis Religion serves the elites by legitimizing the status quo and diverting attention from social inequities. Disrupts cultures with attempts to “convert heathens” Marx: “Opium of the people” Critical Evaluation Downplays religion’s efforts to promote social equality Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion and Social Change Max Weber: Protestantism and capitalism Rise of industrial capitalism was encouraged by Calvinism, a movement within the Protestant reformation. Liberation theology–The combining of Christian principles with political activism, often Marxist in character Social oppression runs counter to Christian morality. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religious Organizations Church–A type of religious organization that is well integrated into the larger society State church–Church formally allied with the state Denomination–A church, independent of the state, that recognizes religious pluralism Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religious Organizations Sect–A type of religious organization that stands apart from the larger society Charisma–Extraordinary personal qualities that can turn people into followers Cult–A religious organization that is largely outside a society’s cultural traditions Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion in History In pre-industrial societies Animism–Elements of the natural world are conscious life forms that affect humanity Belief in a single divine power responsible for creating the world began with pastoral and horticultural societies. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion in History In industrial societies The Industrial Revolution introduced a growing emphasis on science. Science: How does the world work? Religion: Why are we here? Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Christianity Most Christians live in Europe or the Americas. Built on the personal charisma of a leader, Jesus of Nazareth Began as a cult, drawing elements from Judaism Monotheism–Belief in a single divine power Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Islam Islam is the word of God as revealed to Muhammad, a prophet, not a divine being. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. A majority of people in the Middle East are Muslims, but most of the world’s Muslims live elsewhere. Muslim population is large and diverse. In Arabic, the word “islam” means both “submission” and “peace.” Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Judaism Jews comprise a majority of the population only in Israel. Judaism has special importance to the US because the largest concentration is found in North America. Judaism has deep historical roots that extends to Mesopotamia. A distinctive concept of Judaism is the covenant. Judaism has three main denominations: Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Hinduism The oldest religion, originating in the Indus River valley Mostly practiced in India and Pakistan Hinduism isn’t linked to the life of any single person. God is a universal moral force rather than a specific entity. Recognizes no ultimate judgment at the hands of a supreme god. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Buddhism Almost all Buddhists live in Asia. Recognizes no god of judgment; sees each daily action as having spiritual consequences, and believes in reincarnation. Buddhism originates in the life of Siddhartha Gautama. Much of life in this world involves suffering. Worldly things holds back spiritual development Emphasizes meditation Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Confucianism From about 200 B.C.E. until the beginning of the 20th century, Confucianism was China’s official religion. After 1949, the communist government repressed all religious expression. China is still home to Confucian thought Confucius instructed followers to engage the world according to a code of moral conduct. A central idea is “jen,” meaning “humaneness.” Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion in the US Religious affiliation New England, Southwest: Mostly Catholic South: Mostly Baptist Northern plains: Mostly Lutheran Utah: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Religiosity–The importance of religion in a person’s life Religious affiliation is related to social class, ethnicity, and race. Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion in a Changing Society Secularization–Historical decline in the importance of the supernatural and the sacred Civil religion–A quasi-religious loyalty binding people in a basically secular society Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion in a Changing Society Religious revival New Age spirituality flourishes Interests increases in fundamentalism–A conservative religious doctrine that opposes intellectualism and worldly accommodation in favor of restoring traditional, otherworldly religion The Electronic Church “Prime-time preachers” on television Sociology, 12th Edition by John Macionis Copyright  2008 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.