RELIGION in USA Kanykei Ibraimova Spr15 SOC 001 #33280

Religion seeks to answer important questions such as why we exist, why people suffer and die, and what happens when we die-the „sacred canopy‟ Things that people do not set apart as sacred are referred to as profane—the everyday, secular or “worldly” aspects of life. Religion is a universal and pervasive phenomenon, a part of the cultural system, because it is assumed to meet some basic need of human being. Religion has persisted and still exerts a great influence in lives of people.

Most religions have four elements 1) Ritual (ex. Prayer, communion) 2) A sense of the Sacred 3) A system of beliefs-in the supernatural and a set of ethics OR a set of abstract ideals 4) Organization-each religion has a public component

Some Facts The USA is one of the most religions countries in the world. American culture, politics and social life have been influenced by religion throughout the history. Freedom to practice religion of own choice in the USA is protected under USA Constitution. Religion in the United States The U.S. has been the birthplace of a number of new denominations and sects in the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and other religions. The U.S. population remains highly religious in its beliefs and practices, and religion continues to play a prominent role in American public life. All spiritual beliefs are protected in the United States. Not only does it provide freedom for Americans to choose how they want to worship, but it also prevents any religious group from violating the law or infringing on the liberty of others. The modern legal concept of religious freedom as the union of freedom of belief and freedom of worship with the absence of any state-sponsored religion, originated in the U.S.

HISTORY History of Religion in the United States. The religious history of the United States begins more than a century before the former British colonies became the United States of America in 1776. Many of the North American colonies that eventually formed the U.S.A. were settled in the 17th century by men and women who left Europe because of religious persecution. Early emphasis on religious conformity led some members to break away and move to new colonies. Roger Williams , a Puritan clergyman, founded the colony of Rhode Island after being kicked out of Massachusetts in 1635 because he disagreed with the colonial government. He established the principles of separation of church and state , religious tolerance for all, and freedom of religious expression.

HISTORY History of Religion in the United States Several of the original Thirteen Colonies were established by settlers who wished to practice their own religion. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was established by English Puritans (Congregationalists), Pennsylvania was established by British Quakers, Maryland was established by English Catholics, and Virginia was established by English Anglicans. During the American Revolution , most state constitutions provided for freedom of conscience and the separation of church and state. Colony of Maryland

Religion in the United States There is a great diversity of religious affiliation in the U.S.A Christianity Buddhism Judaism Hinduism Islam Others

Christianity Christianity, with over 2 billion followers, is the most popular religion in the world. 78% of adults in the U.S. identify themselves as Christian. Christianity was introduced to the U.S. during the period of European colonization. Christianity has many different branches and forms with accompanying variety in beliefs and practices. In the U.S., Christians are divided into three groups: Protestant , Catholic , and Orthodox . Christianity developed out of Judaism in the 1st century C.E. It is founded on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Traditional Christian beliefs include the belief that Jesus is the divine and human Messiah sent to the save the world.

Christianity One of the most important concepts in Christianity is that of Jesus giving his life on the Cross (the Crucifixion) and rising from the dead on the third day (the Resurrection). Christians believe that there is only one God, but that there are three elements to this one God: God the Father God the Son The Holy Spirit Christians worship in churches. Spiritual leaders are called priests or ministers. The Christian holy book is the Bible, and consists of the Old and New Testaments. Christian holy days such as Easter and Christmas are important milestones in the Western secular calendar.

Conflict Theory and Religion Religion is the “opiate” (Karl Marx), is a tool for elites to easily manipulate lower class, by enforcing the obedience and eternal happiness. According to Marx, religion can function like a drug that blinds people to their true interests, prompting them instead to accept submission to authority, thereby reinforcing the interests of those in power. Religion is encouraging oppressed people to focus on their spiritual concerns rather then on their poverty or exploitation. In conflict theory religion benefits powerful elite at the expense of lower classes.

But it is also dysfunctional: Functionalist Theory Religion according to some philosophers: Durkheim (1961) Defines religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden-beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a church. Religion is an integrative force in human society. Provides social order, a sense of shared identity, meaning and purpose in people’s lives. Serves to bind people together in times of crisis and confusion. It legitimates governmental authority. Upholds basic social norms. For Functionalists what makes order possible is social consensus- shared norms and values by which one follows. Religious institutions take a part in creating social solidarity and value consensus. Functionalism emphasizes the social nature of religion and the positive functions it performs, it also neglects negative aspects such as religion as a source of oppression of the poor or women. But it is also dysfunctional: Prevents social change Enhances political conflict

Works Cited https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p47tZLJbdag http://www.people.vcu.edu/~dbromley/functionalconflictperspectives.html https://new.edu/resources/sociological-perspectives-on-religion http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/jesus_1.shtml http://history-world.org/origins_of_christianity.htm http://www.academia.edu/2365041/Marx_and_Conflict_Theory_-_Analysis_of_Power_in_Society http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/americas-true-history-of-religious-tolerance-61312684/?no-ist