Chapter 15: Religion

religious rituals

behaviors or practices that are either required for or expected of the members of a particular group

11. Some controversial groups that may be mislabeled as cults include: a. Scientology and the Hare Krishna b. the Peoples Temple and Heaven's Gate c. the Branch Davidians and the Manson Family d. Quakers and Pentecostals

A

4. Which perspective most emphasizes the ways in which religion helps keep the social system running smoothly? a. Functional perspective b. Symbolic interactionist perspective c. Conflict perspective d. Feminist perspective

A

6. Which of the following do the functionalist and conflict perspectives share? a. The position​ that religion relates to social control, enforcing social norms b. Emphasis on religion as providing social support c. The belief that religion helps explain the mysteries of life d. None of the above

A

10. The main difference between an ecclesia and a denomination is: a. the number of followers or believers is much larger for denominations b. the geographical location varies for ecclesia versus denominations c. ecclesia are state-sponsored and considered an official religion d. there are no important differences the terms are interchangeable

C

12. In what part of the world have Confucianism and Taoism been primarily practiced? a. India b. Europe c. China d. The Middle East

C

13. Many stories in the sacred text of Judaism are: a. referred to as the Apocrypha b. oral traditions only because Judaism has no sacred text c. shared by Christianity and Islam d. no longer part of the Torah

C

15. Social scientists refer to the use of a church to combat social injustice in the political realm as: a. the protestant work ethic b. conflict management c. liberation theology d. justice work

C

5. Which socialist perspective most emphasizes the ways in which religion helps to maintain social inequalities within a society? a. Functional b. Symbolic interactionist c. Conflict theory d. Feminist perspective

C

15.2 World Religions

Sociological terms for different kinds of religious organizations are, in order of decreasing influence in society, ecclesia, denomination, sect, and cult. Religions can be categorized according to what or whom its followers worship. Some of the major, and oldest, of the world's religions, include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

megachurch

a Christian church that has a very large congregation averaging more than 2,000 people who attend regular weekly services

denomination

a large, mainstream religion that is not sponsored by the state

monotheism

a religion based on belief in a single deity

polytheism

a religion based on belief in multiple deities

ecclesia

a religion that is considered the state religion

sect

a small, new offshoot of a denomination

cults

religious groups that are small, secretive, and highly controlling of members and have a charismatic leader

established sects

sects that last but do not become denominations

religious beliefs

specific ideas that members of a particular faith hold to be true

totemism

the belief in a divine connection between humans and other natural beings

atheism

the belief in no deities

religious experience

the conviction or sensation that one is connected to "the divine"

animism

the religion that believes in the divinity of nonhuman beings, like animals, plants, and objects of the natural world

religion

the system of beliefs, values, and practices concerning what a person holds to be sacred or spiritually significant

liberation theology

the use of a church to promote social change via the political arena

2. A cultural universal is something that: a. addresses all aspects of a group's behavior b. is found in all cultures c. is based on social norms d. may or may not be of value in meeting social needs

B

3. Which of the main theoretical perspectives would approach religion from the micro-level, studying how religion impacts an individual's sense of support and well-being? a. Functionalism b. Symbolic interactionism c. Conflict theory d. Feminism

B

7. The Protestant work ethic was viewed in terms of its relationship to: a. evolution and natural selection b. capitalism c. determinism d. prejudice and discrimination

B

9. A sect: a. has generally grown so large that it needs new buildings and multiple leaders b. often believes it must split from the larger group to return to important fundamentals c. is another term for a cult d. All of the above

B

1. In what ways does religion serve the role of a social institution? a. Religions have a complex and integrated set of norms. b. Religious practices and beliefs are related to societal values. c. Religions often meet several basic needs. d. All of the above

D

14. What do Christianity and Islam have in common? a. Both believe in a single supreme god. b. Both share many of the same stories in their central religious texts. c. Both believe in an afterlife. d. All of the above

D

16. Megachurches tend to have: a. a variety of male and female clergy b. numerous buildings in which to meet c. high attendance for only a limited time d. large arenas where services are held

D

8. What are some denominations of the Christian Protestant church? a. Catholic and Jewish b. Jehovah's Witnesses and Presbyterians c. Scientology and Hare Krishna d. Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist

D

15.3 Religion in the US

Liberation theology combines Christian principles with political activism to address social injustice, discrimination, and poverty. Megachurches are those with a membership of more than 2,000 regular attendees, and they are a vibrant, growing and highly influential segment of U.S. religious life. Some sociologists believe levels of religiosity in the United States are declining (called secularization), while others observe a rise in fundamentalism.

15.1 The Sociological Approach to Religion

Religion describes the beliefs, values, and practices related to sacred or spiritual concerns. Social theorist Émile Durkheim defined religion as a "unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things" (1915). Max Weber believed religion could be a force for social change. Karl Marx viewed religion as a tool used by capitalist societies to perpetuate inequality. Religion is a social institution because it includes beliefs and practices that serve the needs of society. Religion is also an example of a cultural universal because it is found in all societies in one form or another. Functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism all provide valuable ways for sociologists to understand religion.