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Sociology in Modules Richard T. Schaefer
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The Sociological Approach to Religion
Durkheim and the Importance of Religion Religion: unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things (Durkheim) Collective act Includes many forms of behavior in which people interact with others
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Durkheim and the Importance of Religion
Sacred: elements beyond everyday life that inspire awe, respect, and even fear Profane: includes the ordinary and the commonplace Secularization: religion’s influence on social institutions diminishes Sociologists study religion through: Norms and values of religious faiths through their substantive beliefs The social functions religion fulfills
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Sociological Perspectives on Religion
Manifest functions: open and stated functions; religion defines the spiritual world and gives meaning to the divine Latent functions: unintended, covert, or hidden functions; might include providing a meeting ground for unmarried members
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The Integrative Function of Religion
Durkheim viewed religion as an integrative force in human society Gives meaning and purpose to lives Offers ultimate values and ends Strengthens social integration Integrative power seen in work with immigrant groups Can be dysfunctional
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Religion and Social Support
Religion’s emphasis on divine and supernatural allows us to “do something” about calamities we face Encourages people to view personal misfortunes as relatively unimportant Religious function of social support also apparent in people’s use of social media
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Religion and Social Change
The Weberian Thesis Protestant ethic: followers of Protestant Reformation emphasized a disciplined work ethic, this-worldly concerns, and a rational orientation for life “Spirit of capitalism” has emerged as generalized cultural trait
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Religion and Social Change
Liberation Theology Liberation theology: use of a church in a political effort to eliminate poverty, discrimination, and other forms of injustice from a secular society May be dysfunctional
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Religion and Social Control: A Conflict Perspective
Marx: religion impeded social change People focus on other-worldly concerns Religion’s promotion of social stability only helps to perpetuate patterns of social inequality By inducing a “false consciousness” among disadvantaged, religion lessens the possibility of collective political action
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Feminist Perspective Theorists have stressed fundamental role women play in religious socialization Women generally take subordinate role in religious governance Women play vital role as volunteers, staff, and educators In U.S., women more likely than men to be affiliated with religion
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Table 45-1: Sociological Perspectives on Religion
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World Religions About 89% of world’s population adheres to some religion Christianity largest, Islam second largest Judaism forms historical foundation for Christianity and Islam Hinduism embraces number of gods and reincarnation Buddhism developed as reaction against Hinduism; uses meditation to overcome selfish cravings 12
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Table 46-1: Major World Religions
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Components of Religion
All religions have certain elements in common, expressed in distinctive manner of each faith Religious beliefs Religious rituals Religious experience
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Belief Religious beliefs: statements to which members of a particular religion adhere Fundamentalism: emphasizes doctrinal conformity and literal interpretation of sacred texts Found worldwide Spirituality not as strong in industrialized nations as in developing nations U.S. an exception
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Ritual Religious rituals: practices required or expected of members of a faith From simple to elaborate: saying grace; canonizing a saint For Muslims, the hajj In recent decades, participation in religious rituals has tended to hold steady or decline
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Experience Religious experience: feeling or perception of being in direct contact with ultimate reality or of being overcome with religious emotion Being born again
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None of the Above: The Nonreligious
Between 1990 and 2008 the number of Americans who identified as having no religious affiliation doubled Mostly attributed to decision not to affiliate with organized religion
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Table 46-2: Components of Religion
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Figure 46-1: Religious Participation in Selected Countries
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Religious Organization
Four Basic Forms of Organization Ecclesiae Denomination Sect New religious movement, cult
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Religious Organization
Ecclesiae Ecclesia: religious organization claiming to include most or all members of a society; recognized as national or official religion Denominations Denomination: large, organized religion not officially linked with state or government
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Religious Organization
Sects Sect: relatively small religious group that broke away from some other religious organization to renew original vision of faith Fundamentally at odds with society; do not seek to become established national religions Established sect: out-growth of a sect that remains isolated (Yinger)
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Religious Organization
New Religious Movements or Cults New religious movement (NRM) or cult: small, secretive religious group that represents either a new religion or a major innovation of an existing faith Similar to sects Tend to be small Viewed as less respectable than more established faiths
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Comparing Forms of Religious Organization
Ecclesiae, denominations, and sects best viewed as types along a continuum From individual perspective, religion and spirituality remarkably fluid Rapid rise of electronic church Many people shop online for church or faith
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Table 47-1: Characteristics of Ecclesiae, Denominations, Sects, and New Religious Movements
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Social Policy and Religion: Religion in the Schools
Controversy over teaching of theories about the origin of humans and the universe Mainstream scientific thinking: humans evolved over billions of years; universe came into existence 15 billion years ago Creationism: holding to biblical account of the creation of humans and the universe some 10,000 years ago
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Social Policy and Religion: Religion in the Schools
Looking at the Issue Issue goes to heart of First Amendment provisions regarding religious freedom Engle v. Vitale, 1962: prayer in New York schools unconstitutional Intelligent design (ID): idea that life is so complex it could only have been created by intelligent design Federal judge: ID is “a religious belief”
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Social Policy and Religion: Religion in the Schools
Applying Sociology Supporters of school prayer: Supreme Court has driven too big a wedge between church and state Prayer can provide socialization and spiritual guidance Opponents of school prayer: Through school prayer, religious majority may impose specific viewpoints onto religious minorities
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Social Policy and Religion: Religion in the Schools
Initiating Policy Most initiatives and lobbying occur at state and local level Supreme Court has taken a hard line Debate still strong and ongoing Critics worry fundamentalist activism may lead to sectarian religious control of public education
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Research Today 47-1: Mormons: A Controversial Denomination
Mormons are not supposed to drink alcohol, soft drinks, coffee, or tea. What aspects of your own religious faith are sometimes observable to others? Do you have any reservations about a Mormon becoming president of the United States? If so, on what grounds?
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Research Today 47-2: Wicca: Religion or Quasi-Religion
Do you know anyone who practices Wicca? If so, describe the person’s practices? Do you think that Wicca should be considered a religion? Why or why not?
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