Transcript Document
Religion Chapter 15 Religion • Social institution involving beliefs and practices based upon a conception of the sacred – Faith – belief anchored in conviction rather than scientific evidence Religion • Sacred – that which people set apart as extraordinary, inspiring a sense of awe and reverence • Profane – that which is an ordinary element of everyday life Religion • Beliefs – statements to which members of a particular religion adhere • Fundamentalism – rigid adherence to fundamental religious doctrine • Ritual – practices required or expected of members of a faith 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 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 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 Religion and Social Support • 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 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 Religious Behavior • Animism – belief that elements of the natural world are conscious life forms that affect humanity Religious Organization • Ecclesiae: Religious organization claiming to include most or all members of a society • Denominations: Large, organized religion not officially linked with the state or government Religious Organization • Sects: Relatively small religious group that broke away from some other religious organization to renew original vision of the faith – Fundamentally at odds with society and does not seek to become established national religions – Established sect: Out-growth of a sect that remains isolated New Religious Movements or Cults • New Religious Movement (NRM) or cult: Small, secretive religious groups that represent 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 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 a church or faith