1. Religion

2. Religion
Belief in a worship of a superhuman, controlling power, especially a personal God or gods
A pursuit/interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance

3. What it is meant for
Guiding human behavior, gives meaning to life, unties believers into single moral community

4. Terms
Ecclesia-religious organization that’s so integrated into dominant culture claims all members of society
Church-bureaucratically organized religious organizations seeks accommodations with larger society to maintain degree of control
Denomination-large organized religion characterized by accommodation to society but lacking in ability or intention to dominate society
Sect-relatively small religious group that has broken away from another religious group to renew views as original version of faith

5. Major Religions Islam Christianity Buddhism Hinduism Judaism
Confucianism

6. Cults
Loosely organized religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of society

7. Trends-Social Inequality
Most affluent are mainline liberal churches ie-Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Congregationalists
Attributed to helping create economic system of America

8. Social Inequality
Middle class, working class, and lower class are Baptist
This is attributed to some because of a more conservative lifestyle causing traditional gender roles

9. Trends-Race and Class
See denominations moving around based on where the people are located
More Baptist churches in urban areas-struggle to survive
Having trouble with finances may be more drawn to churches of integrity and dignity-providing hope, social service center, comm. org

10. Secularization Separating government and religion
Secular humanism-become better on own without divine help

11. Fundamentalism
Religious doctrine that’s conservative, opposed to modernity, rejects worldly pleasures in favor of spiritual ones
Public schools

12. Christianity

13. Religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus or its beliefs and practices
Most popular religion in the world

14. The Bible Has the old testament and New
Full of stories, songs, poetry, letters, and history
Old Testament-5 books, rules and regulations
Examples of how meant to live
Pslams-songs and prayers
Proverbs-sayings
Ezra, Nehemiah 1-2 Chronicles-history

15. New Testament 27 books, between 50-100 AD Tell the story of Jesus
Offer advice-Romans, Hebrews, Paul
Gospels-present life and teachings of Jesus

16. Conclusion Revelation
Four horsemen of the apocalypse-war, famine, death, vengenence/salvation
Good triumphs over evil
Faithfulness rewarded, justice done
Seven headed beast-seven emperors

17. Beliefs
Only 1 God
Jesus is the son of God brought to save man from death and sin
Gained forgiveness from death of Jesus
Trinity- Father (perfect and everywhere), Son (God and Human), and Holy Spirit (Jesus’ spirit)
There is life after death
Saints-lived godly life

18. Prayer
Address God as the Father
Church-faith nutured

19. Holy Days Epiphany Lent Christmas Easter Holy Week Ascension Day
Corpus Christi
Pentecost

20. Eucharist Feast (last supper)
Celebration to commemorate final meal Jesus took with disciples
Wine-blood of Christ
Bread-body of Christ
Communion-unity

21. Christmas Celebrate birth of Jesus In Matthew and Luke
Luke-Mary visited by an angel, give birth to God’s son, shepherds
Matthew-Joseph visited and persuaded to marry Mary, Wiseman
No mention of an actual date for his birth, Pope Julius set the date to Christianize pagan celebrations

22. Easter
Culmination of the Holy Week
Resurrection of Jesus

23. Sects Amish Christadephians Church of Scotland Eastern Orthodox
Methodist
Catholic
Baptist
Lutheran
Presbyterian
Episcopalian
Mormon
Jehovah’s Witness
Quaker
Born Again

24. Questions to Ask What is the history of this sect?
What are their key beliefs?
What holidays or Holy days are recognized? Name at least 4
Why are those holy days important?
What style of worship is used? Is it more traditional or more modern?