Chapter 15 Religion

Chapter Questions What is religion? What is religion? What does religion do in a society? What does religion do in a society? How are religious beliefs and rituals different in various cultures? How are religious beliefs and rituals different in various cultures? What roles do sacred stories and symbols play in relation? What roles do sacred stories and symbols play in relation? What are some common key elements in religious rituals? What are some common key elements in religious rituals? What are the differences between prayer, sacrifice and magic? What are the differences between prayer, sacrifice and magic? How do priests differ from shamans? How do priests differ from shamans? Under what conditions do religions change, and when do new religions form? Under what conditions do religions change, and when do new religions form?

A Human Universal Defining Religion Defining Religion Belief in the supernatural. Belief in the supernatural. Religion origins. Religion origins. No religion is more evolved. No religion is more evolved.

Origins of Religion Neanderthal graves Neanderthal graves Paleolithic art- 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. Paleolithic art- 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.

Functions of Religion in Society 1. Explains aspects of the physical and social environment. 2. Helps people understand the world. 3. Preserves the social order. 4. Includes practices aimed at ensuring success.

Religion Preserves Social Order Sacred stories and rituals. Sacred stories and rituals. Function of rituals. Function of rituals. Important educational institution. Important educational institution.

Sacred Narratives Stories of historical events, heroes, gods, spirits, and the origin of all things. Stories of historical events, heroes, gods, spirits, and the origin of all things. Have a sacred power that is evoked by telling them or acting them out ritually. Have a sacred power that is evoked by telling them or acting them out ritually. Validate or legitimize beliefs, values, and customs. Validate or legitimize beliefs, values, and customs.

Ritual Act involving the manipulation of religious symbols. Act involving the manipulation of religious symbols. Certain patterns of religious behavior. Certain patterns of religious behavior.

Rite of Passage Three phases: Separation Separation Liminal Liminal Reincorporation Reincorporation

Addressing the Supernatural Prayer Prayer Sacrifice Sacrifice Magic Magic Divination Divination

Prayer Communication between people and spirits or gods. Communication between people and spirits or gods. Results- spirit world rather than human actions. Results- spirit world rather than human actions. A request, a pleading, or a praise. A request, a pleading, or a praise. Healing power? Healing power?

Image of the Witch Two Universal constants Two Universal constants 1. Witches represent people’s deepest fears of selves & society 2. Witches represent a reversal of all normal behavior

Witch Craze of Europe Plague swept through Europe, and the medieval social and religious order collapsed in war and chaos. Plague swept through Europe, and the medieval social and religious order collapsed in war and chaos. People believed witches were the cause of their misery. People believed witches were the cause of their misery. Thousands of suspected witches were put to death. Thousands of suspected witches were put to death.

Priest & Shaman Shaman Shaman Part Time Practitioner Part Time Practitioner Personal communication with supernatural being Personal communication with supernatural being Get powers by “divine stroke” Get powers by “divine stroke” Present in food-gathering cultures Present in food-gathering cultures Priests Full Time Practitioner Trained specialist Power from codified rituals Agricultural/industrial societies

Religions and Change Revitalization movements. Revitalization movements. Result from oppression, cultural loss and loss of identity. Result from oppression, cultural loss and loss of identity. Examples: Native American Ghost Dance and Native American Church Examples: Native American Ghost Dance and Native American Church Cults Cults

Religion in the U.S. Roman Catholicism is the largest with 24% of the adult population. Roman Catholicism is the largest with 24% of the adult population. Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant comprising 220 denominations, represent 36% of the adult population. Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant comprising 220 denominations, represent 36% of the adult population. Approximately 1.5% of the population is Jewish. Approximately 1.5% of the population is Jewish. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the U.S. with 1% of the adult population. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the U.S. with 1% of the adult population.