Sociology Chapter 15

Christianity

Largest religion in the world. Although monotheistic, Christians often describe their god through three manifestations that they call the Holy Trinity: the father (God), the son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a term Christians often use to describe religious experience, or how they feel the presence of the sacred in their lives.

Nonbelievers

Ex: Atheists, who do not believe in a divine being or entity. Agnostics, who hold that ultimate reality (such as God) is unknowable.

Secularization

Interests social observers because it entails a pattern of change in a fundamental social institution. Modernization of society would bring about a decrease in the influence of religion.

Judaism

Jews emphasize moral behavior and action in this world as opposed to beliefs or personal salvation in the next world.

Denomination

Large, mainstream religious organization, but it does not claim to be official or state sponsored.

Established Sects

Some sects dissolve without growing into denominations. Established sects, such as the Amish or Jehovah's Witnesses fall halfway between sect and denomination on the ecclesia-cult continuum because they have a mixture of sect-like and denomination-like characteristics.

Religious Beliefs

Specific ideas that members of a particular faith hold to be true, such as that Jesus Christ was the son of God, or believing in reincarnation. Ex: world creation stories.

Symbolic Interactionism on religion

Studies the symbols and interactions of everyday life. To interactionists, beliefs and experiences are not sacred unless individuals in a society regard them as sacred.

Religious Experience

The conviction or sensation that one is connected to "the divine." This type of communion might be experienced when people are praying or meditating.

Liberation Theology

A movement within the Roman Catholic Church in the 1950s and 1960s in Latin America, and it combines Christian principles with political activism. It uses the church to promote social change via the political arena, and it is most often seen in attempts to reduce or eliminate social injustice, discrimination, and poverty. Discuss theology from the point of view of the poor and the oppressed, and some interpret the scriptures as a call to action against poverty and injustice.

Sect

A small and relatively new group. Most of the well-known Christian denominations in the United States today began as sects.

Religion

A system of beliefs, values, and practices concerning what a person holds sacred or considers to be spiritually significant. Cultural Universal.

Conflict Theory view on religion

An institution that helps maintain patterns of social inequality. Those in power in a religion are often able to dictate practices, rituals, and beliefs through their interpretation of religious texts or via proclaimed direct communication from the divine.

Religious Rituals

Behaviors or practices that are either required or expected of the members of a particular group, such as bar mitzvah or confession.

Totemism

Belief in a divine connection between humans and other natural beings.

Buddhism

Buddha--enlightened one. Buddha's teachings encourage Buddhists to lead a moral life by accepting the four Noble Truths: 1) life is suffering, 2) suffering arises from attachment to desires, 3) suffering ceases when attachment to desires ceases, and 4) freedom from suffering is possible by following the "middle way." The concept of "middle way" is central to Buddhist thinking, which encourages people to live in the present and to practice acceptance of others.

Megachurch

Christian church that has a very large congregation averaging more than 2,000 people who attend regular weekly services. As of 2009, the largest megachurch in the United States was in Houston Texas, boasting an average weekly attendance of more than 43,000. Main focuses as youth activities, community service, and study of the Scripture.

Cults

Like sects, are new religious groups. In modern America this term often carries pejorative connotations. However, almost all religions began as cults and gradually progressed to levels of greater size and organization.

Islam

Monotheistic religion and it follows the teaching of the prophet Muhammad, seen only as a prophet, not as a divine being, and he is believed to be the messenger of Allah (God), who is divine. Islam means "peace" and "submission." Muslims are guided by five beliefs or practices, often called "pillars": 1) Allah is the only god and Muhammad is his prophet, 2) daily prayer, 3) helping those in poverty, 4) fasting as a spiritual practice, and 5) pilgrimage to the holy center of Mecca.

Confucianism

More of a social system than a religion because it focuses on sharing wisdom about moral practices but doesn't involve any type of specific worship; nor does it have formal objects.

Hinduism

Oldest religion in the world. Third-largest of the world's religions. Hindus believe in a divine power that can manifest as different entities.

Ecclesia

Originally referring to a political assembly of citizens in ancient Athens, Greece, now refers to a congregation. In sociology, the term is used to refer to a religious group that most all members of a society belong to. It is considered a nationally recognized, or official, religion that holds a religious monopoly and is closely allied with state and secular powers. The United States does not have an ecclesia by this standard; in fact, this is the type of religious organization that many of the first colonists came to America to escape.

Rational Choice Theory

People are self-interested, though not necessarily selfish, and that people make rational choices—choices that can reasonably be expected to maximize positive outcomes while minimizing negative outcomes.

Functionalism view on religion

Serves several purposes, like providing answers to spiritual mysteries, offering emotional comfort, and creating a place for social interaction and social control (reinforcing social norms).

Taoism

The purpose of life is inner peace and harmony. Spiritual level of being.

Animism

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