Sociology Chapter 13
From the conflict perspective, discuss how religion supports the status quo, as well as reflects, reinforces, and legitimizes social inequality.
Conflict theorists stress that religion supports the status quo and helps to maintain social inequalities. • Karl Marx-avowed atheist, who believes that the existence of God was impossible, set the tone for conflict theorists. Marx meant that for oppressed workers religion is like a drug that helps addicts forget their misery. He said religion is the opium of the masses. • Conflict theorists stress that religion legitimates social inequalities. They mean that religion teaches that the existing social arrangements represent what God desires. In the middle ages, Christian theologians decreed the divine right of kings. This doctrine meant that God determined who would become king and set him on the throne. To disobey the king was to disobey God.
Define the terms cult, sect, church, and ecclesia, and describe the process by which some groups move from one category to another.
Cult-All religions begin as cults. A cult is simply a new religion with few followers, whose teachings and practices put it at odds with dominant culture and religion. Means "new religion". Often originate with a charismatic leader, an individual who inspires people because he or she seems to have extraordinary gifts qualities or ablates. Charisma refers to an outstanding gift or to some exception quality. Few are extreme or violent. Sect-A sect is larger than a cult, but its members still feel tension between their views and the prevailing beliefs and values of the broader society. Sects are loosely organized and fairly small. They empathize personal salvation and an emotion expression of ones relationship with God. Clapping, shouting, dancing, and prayers are hallmarks of sects. Sects also stress evangelism, the active recruitment of new members. Can change into a church. Usually see themselves as the true faith. Church-Relationship with God has grown less intense. The group is likely to have less emphasis on personal salvation and emotional expression. Worship services are likely to be more sedate, with formals sermons and written prayers read before the congregation. Rather than being recruited form the outside by personal evangelism, most new members now come from within from children born to existing members. Rather than joining through conversion seeing the truth children may be baptized, circumcised or dedicated in some other way. Ecclaria-a religion group so integrated into the dominant culture that it is difficult to tell where the one begins the other leaves off, also called a state religion. The government and religion work together to try to shape society. There is no recruitment of members, for citizenship makes everyone a members. The religion is part of a cultural identity, not an eye-opening experience. Unlike cults and sects, which perceive god as personally involved with and concerned about people, ecclesias envision god as more impersonal and remote. Reflecting this view of the supernatural, church services tend to be highly formal, directed by minsters or priests who, follow prescribed rituals.
Identify the characteristics of the world's major religions.
Judaism traced to Abraham. Jews believe that God (Yahweh) made a covenant with Abraham, selecting his descendant as chosen people-promising to make them "as numerous as the sands of the seashore" and gave them a special land that would be theirs forever. The sign of this covenant was the circumcision of males, which was to be performed when a boy was eight days old. The founding of Judaism marked a fundamental change in religion, for it was the first religion based on monotheism, the belief that here is only one God prior to Judaism, religions were based on polytheism. Contemporary Judaism in the United States has three branches: Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative. Orthodox Jews adhere to the laws espoused by mosses, and can only eat foods prepared in a designated manner. The Reform Judaism, mostly uses English in its religious ceremonies and has much less ritual. Conservative Judaism, falls somewhere between the other now. No branch ahs continued to practice polygyny,. Central to Jewish teaching is the requirement to love God and do good deeds. Christianity developed out of Judaism, is also monotheistic. Christians believe that Jesus is the Christ, the messiah whom God promised the news. Christians interpret the death of Jesus as a blood sacrifice made to atone for their sins. They believe that through his death they have peace with God and will inherit eternal life. He rose from the dead. Today, Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. Christians are divided into hundreds of groups, some with doctrinal differences. Islam followers are known as Muslims, began in the same part of the world as Judaism and Christianity. The worlds third monotheist religion. It was founded by Muhammad. Islam split into tow main braches that remain today, the Sunni and the Shi'ite. The Shi'ites belie that Islamic leadership should be traced through the descendants of Muhammad and that the imam is inspired as he interprets the Qur'an. The Sunnis followed the different leadership after Muhammad's death and developed different prayer and legal traditions. Both groups accept the teachings of Islam. Trace ancestry to Abraham. The Muslims continue to practice polygyny. Hinduism no specific founder. Hinduism has been the chief religion of India. Dharma=law. Hinduism has no canonical scripture, no texts thoughts to inspired by God, instead books. They are polytheists, they believe that there are many gods. Central belief is karma, spiritual progress. Instead of a final judgment there is reincarnation, a cycle of life, death and rebirth. Death involves only the body. If an individual reaches spiritual perfection, he or she ahs attained nirvana. This marks the end of the cycle of death and rebirth, when the soul is reunited with the universal soul. When this occurs, Maya, the illusion of time and space, has been conquered. Kumbh mela, a purifying washing in the Ganges River. Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism. Means the "enlightened one" Through meditation he discovered the "four noble truths, " which emphasize self denial and compassion: 1. Existence is suffering 2. The origin of suffering is desire 3. Suffering ceases when desire ceases 4. The way to end desire is to follow the "noble eightfold path" The central symbol of Buddhism is the eight-spoke wheel. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is the cessation of rebirth and with it, the end of suffering. They teach there is no soul and that all things are temporary and destined to pass way. Confucianism Confucius, a public official, was distressed by the corruption that he saw in government. Unlike Gautama, who emphasized withdrawal from social activities, Confucius urged social reform and develop da system of moral principles based on peace, justice and universal order. His teachings were incorporated into writing called analects. The basic moral principle is to maintain jen, sympathy or concern for other humans. They key to jen is to sustain right relationships-being loyal and placing morality above self-interest. Confucius taught that right relationships with the family (loyalty, respect should be the model for society. Remained embedded in Chinese culture.
Describe the three major patterns of adaptation that occur when religion and culture conflict with one another.
First, the members of the religion may reject the dominant culture and have little tot do with people who aren't members of their group. The Amish withdraw into closed communities where they try to preserve the culture of their ancestors. In the second pattern, the cult or sect rejects only specific elements of the prevailing culture. Wearing makeup or going to the movies might be prohibited. Or an emphasis might be on avoiding immodest clothing-short skirts, skimpy swimsuits, low cut dresses. Although specific activities are forbidden, members of the group participate in most aspects of the broader society. In the third pattern, the society rejects the religious group. In the extreme, as with the early Christians, political leaders may even try to destroy the group. The most remarkable example in the United States within the past couple of decades occurred in 1993 where U.S. authorities attached and destroyed a cult called the Branch Davidians. Including the twenty-five children found huddled next to their mothers, more than eighty people died.
Know what is meant by and provide examples of functional equivalents of religion.
If a group that is not a religion answers questions about ultimate meaning and provides emotional comfort and guidelines for daily life, sociologists call it a functional equivalent of religion. Ex. Alcoholics anonymous is a functional equivalent of religion. Ian Robertson pointed out there is a fundamental distinction between religion and its functional equivalents. The equivalent may perform similar functions, but its activities are not directed toward God, gods, or the supernatural.
Summarize Max Weber's analysis of religion and the spirit of capitalism, explaining its significance.
Max Weber disagreed with the conflict perspective. Religion, he said, does not merely reflect and legitimate the social order and impede social change. Rather, religions focus on the afterlife is a source of profound social change. He concluded that religion held the key to modernization-the transformation of traditional societies to industrial societies. He said: • Capitalism represents a fundamentally different way of thinking about work and money. Weber called this new approach work and money the spirit of capitalism. • Religions in China, India, and Roman Catholic maintained a traditional approach to life: not thrift to investment. Religion was the key. • Protestants believed in Predestination. • This doctrine made people anxious-they concluded that church members have a duty to live as though they are predestined to heaven- for good works are a demonstration of salvation. • The conclusion motivated Calvinist to lead moral lives and to work hard, to use their time productively and to be frugal. Weber called this self-denying approach to life the protestant ethnic. • As people worked hard and spend money only on necessities they had money left over. Because it couldn't be spend, this capital was invested, which led to a surge in production. CAPTIALISM • Conclusion: the change in religion (from Catholicism to Protestantism, especially Calvinism) led to a fundamental change in thought and behavior. The result was the spirit of capitalism. For the reason, capitalism originated in Europe and not in places where religion did not encourage capitalisms essential elements: the accumulation of capital and its investment and reinvestment.
Define religion and explain its essential elements.
Religion is the most difficult subject to study from an objective point of view. Religion is another universal social institution. Religion is a matter of faith, and sociologists don't even have tools for deciding that one course of action is more moral than another. Religion was a major interest of Emile Durkheim. He said that religion is a system of socially shared symbols, beliefs, and rituals that address the sacred and the ultimate meaning of existence. Three main findings: the worlds religions have no specific belief or practice in common, all religions develop a community centering on their beliefs and practices, all religions separate the sacred from the profane. By sacred, Durkheim referred to aspects of life having to do with the supernatural that inspire awe, reverence, deep respect, even fear. By profane, he meant the aspects of life that are not concerned with religion, but instead, are part of ordinary everyday life. Durkheim used the word church in an unusual sense, to refer to any "moral community" centered on beliefs and practices regarding the sacred. A moral community is simply a group of people who are united by their religious practices. Religion has three elements: • Beliefs that some things are sacred (forbidden, set apart form the profane) • Practices (rituals) centering on the things considered sacred • A moral community (a church), which results from a groups beliefs and practices
Describe the functions and dysfunctions of religion from the functionalist perspective.
Religion provides functions for society • Religion provides answers to questions about ultimate meaning- what is the purpose of life? Why do people suffer? Believers see their lives as fitting into a divine plan. • Religion provides emotion comfort and helps provide guidelines- assuring people that there is a purpose of life, even to suffering. • Religion fosters social solidarity- religious teachings and practices unite believers into a community that shares values and perspectives. Ex. Celebrate birth, mourn death, marriage. • Religion provides social control-religious teachings, are incorporated into criminal low. Purpose to get into churches there have been laws, ex. Not selling alcohol before noon on Sundays. • Religion can cause adaptation-religion can help people adapt to new environments. • Religion can support the government-most religions provide support for the government. Ex. The way some churches prominently display the U.S flag. Governments reciprocate by supporting God. State religions-a govenrment-sponsered religion. Civil religion-religion that is such an established feature of a country's life that its history and social institution become sanctified by being associated with God. • Religion can spearhead change-religious activists sometimes spearhead change. Religious leaders led the civil rights movement, whose goals were to desegregate public facilities and abolish racial discrimination at southern polls. Dysfunctions of religion • Religion as justification for persecution- inquisition, special commissions of the Roman Catholic Church tortured accused heretics. Religion has been used to justify oppression and any number of brutal acts. • War and terrorism- history is filled with wars based on religion. Christian monarchs conducted nine bloody crusades in an attempt to wrest control of the region they called the Holy Land from the Muslims. Terrorists acts, too, are sometimes committed in the name of religion.
Discuss what accounts for the fundamental significance of religion in people's lives and why, in all likelihood, religion will remain a permanent fixture in human society.
Religion thrives in the most advances scientific nations There is no doubt that religion will last as long as humanity lasts. Science cannot tell us about four main concerns that many people have: (religion will remain) • The existence of God. • The purpose of life • An afterlife • Morality
Apply the symbolic interactionist perspective to religious symbols, rituals, and beliefs. Discuss how each of these help to establish and/or maintain communities of like-minded people.
Religious symbols- all religions use symbols to provide identity and create social solidarity for their members. For Christians we have the cross. In Durkheim's terms, religions use symbols to represent what the group considered scared and to separate the sacred from the profane. A symbol is a condensed way of communicating. Rituals- ceremonies or repetitive practices are also symbols that help to unite people into a moral community. Holy communion of Christians is designed to create in devout believers a feeling of closeness with God and unity with one another. Rituals including Kneeling and praying at set times, bowing, crossing oneself, singing, lighting candles and incense. Beliefs-symbols, including rituals develop from beliefs. The beliefs may be vague or highly specific. Religious beliefs include not only values but also cosmology, a unified picture of the world. For example, the Jewish, Christian and Muslim believe that there is only one God, the creator of the universe, who is concerned about the actions of humans who will hold us accountable for what we do. It presents a unifying picture of the universe. Religious experiences- refers to becoming suddenly aware of the supernatural or a feeling of coming into contact with God. Some Protestants use the term born again to describe people how have undergone such a life-transforming religious experience. Community- finally, the shared meanings that come through symbols, rituals, and beliefs unite people into a moral community. Exclusion-community is powerful. Not only does it bind people together through mutual identity but it also establishes compelling norms. People either conform to them or they lose their membership.
Define secularization and distinguish between the secularization of religion and the secularization of culture.
Secularization- belonging to the world and its affairs. • The secularization of religion-the replacement of religions spiritual or "other worldly" concerns with concerns about "this world." Secularization leads to a splintering of the group, for adjusting to the secular culture displeases some of the group's members, especially those who have had less worldly success. The dissatisfied, who come to be viewed as complainers, then forma s sect that once against stresses its differences from the world, the need for more personal emotional religious experience, a sudden awareness of the supernatural or a feeling of coming in contact with God. As time passes, the cycle repeats, adjustment to the dominant culture by some, continued dissatisfaction by others, and further splintering. • The secularization of culture- the process by which a culture becomes less influenced by religion. The United States is an example. Underlying the secularization of culture is modernization, a term that refers to a society industrializing, urbanizing, developing mass education and adopting science and advanced technology. As U.S culture secularized, religion became much less important in public life.
Know how religious membership varies by region, social class, age, and race-ethnicity.
Social class- religion in the U.S is strafied by social class. If a group ranks high on education it also likely to rank high on income and occupation prestige. Americans who change their social class also ten dot change their religion. Their new social class experiences create changes in their ideas about the world, molding new preferences. Upwardly mobile people are likely to seek religion that draws more affluent people. Race-ethnicity- Islam, with Arabs, Judaism with Jews, Hinduism with Indians, and Confucianism with Chinese. In the U.S, all major religious groups draw form the nations many racial-ethnic groups. Like social class, however race-ethnicity tends to cluster. The segregation of churches is base don custom not law.
Describe and discuss the major features of religious groups in the United States.
• Diversity- no religious groups even come close to being a dominant religion in the United States. • Pluralism and Freedom- Governments policy not to interfere with religions. Religious freedom Is so extensive that anyone can start a church and proclaim himself or herself minister. • Competition and recruitment- the many religious groups of the United States compete for clients. They even advertise in the yellow pages. • Commitment-Americans are a religious people, and they back up their commitment with generous support of religion and its charities. • Toleration-the general religious toleration of Americans can be illustrated by three prevailing attitudes, "All religions have a right to exist, as long as they don't try to brainwash or hurt anyone, "with all the religions to choose form, how can anyone tell which one, if any is true?", "each of us may be convinced about the truth of our religion, and that is good, but don't be obnoxious by trying to convince other that they have the excusive truth" • Fundamentalist revival- they teach that the bible is literally true and that salvation comes only through a personal relationship with Jesus. Mainstream churches are losing members while the fundamentalists are gaining them. • The electronic Church-Preachers called Televagnists. View the electronic church as a competitor. They complain that it competes for the attention and dollars of their members. Leaders of the electronic church reply that the money goes to good causes and that through its conversions, the electronic church feeds members into the local churches.
