Chapter 17, Religion The Sociological Study of Religion Sociological Perspectives on Religion World Religions Types of Religious Organization Trends in Religion in the United States Religion in the Future

Religion Asks: Why do we exist? Why do people suffer and die? What happens when we die? All known groups over the past 100,000 years have had some form of religion.

Four Main Categories of Religion 1. Simple supernaturalism - the belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives positively or negatively. 2. Animism - the belief that plants, animals, and elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits that impact events in society.

Four Main Categories of Religion 3. Theism - belief in a God or Gods. 4. Nontheistic religion - based on a belief in divine spiritual forces such as sacred principles of thought and conduct, rather than a god or gods.

Functionalist Perspective Religion has 3 important functions: 1. Providing meaning and purpose to life. 2. Promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging. 3. Providing social control and support for the government.

Conflict Perspective According to Karl Marx, religion is the "opiate of the people." Max Weber argued that religion could be a catalyst to produce social change.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Religion serves as a reference group to help people define themselves. Women’s versions of a certain religion usually differ from men’s versions.

World Religions Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Judaism Islam Christianity

Hinduism Believed to be the oldest religion. Individual souls (jivas) enter the world and pass through a sequence of bodies as they undergo cycles of life, death and rebirth until the soul earns liberation. The soul’s acquisition of each new body is tied to the law of karma.

Buddhism: Four Noble Truths 1. Life is dukkha - pain and suffering 2. Cause of life’s suffering is tanha - grasping, craving and coveting. 3. One can overcome tanha and be released in Ultimate Freedom in Perfect Existence (nirvana). 4. Overcoming desire can be accomplished though the Eightfold Path to Nirvana.

Confucianism The “family of scholars” People must learn the importance of order in human relationships and follow a strict moral conduct including – Respect for others – Benevolence – Reciprocity

Judaism There are an estimated 18 million Jews in about 134 countries worldwide. Three key components: God (the deity) Torah (God’s teachings ) and Israel (the holy nation). Three main branches: Orthodox, Reform and Conservative

Islam More than 19% of the world's population considers itself to be Muslim. The notion of jihad (struggle) is a core belief. The Greater Jihad - internal struggle against sin in a person’s heart. Lesser Jihad - external struggle that takes place in the world.

Christianity Does not have ethnic or tribal qualifications but is based on a set of beliefs. Almost 1/3 of the world’s population refer to themselves as Christians.

Four Types of Religious Organization Ecclesia Church Sect Cult

The Rise of Fundamentalism Has emerged because people do not like to see social changes taking place that affect their beliefs and values. People have viewed science and new technologies as a threat to traditional beliefs and practices. Fundamentalism opposes religious accommodation to the things of the world.