1. 1. Religion and Sociology Education and Religion

2. Religion A unified system of beliefs –Distinguishes between the sacred and the profane (holy, commonplace) Usually central to all elements of a cultures Soc. are interested in the extent to which this unobservable element of culture affects behavior of a group/society

3. Religious Organization Church:life-encompassing organization to which all members of a society belong Denomination: specific sub-type of religion (Christian Denominations include catholic, Episcopalian, Baptist, Lutheran, etc) Sect: small subgroup formed to reform an existing religion Cult: religious organization whose characteristics deviate from existing religious traditions

4. Religiosity Ways people express their religious convictions (Ash Wednesday, clothing, crosses)

5. 4 types of Religiosity 1.Belief- what people see as true 2.Ritual- specific practice 3.Intellectual Dimension- knowledge of holy scripture (cite bible, koran, etc) 4.Experience- feeling attached to religious expression (ex: “closeness” to God when praying)

6. Religion in the US Secularism: society resists influence of religion –Can’t preach in school or government buildings –Encourages freedom of choice in religion US is still heavily Christian despite its claims to secularization

7. Fundamentalism Encourages a move toward religion in the society (resists secularism) –Tends to be conservative Christians Want religion in education (Creation Theory), politics (Pro-life), class (almsgiving)