Chapter 17: Religion
Social Cohesion and Sense of Belonging
emphasizing shared symbolism, religious teachings and practices help promote social cohesion ex: taking community (unites people through shared experiences)
Feminist Perspective on Religion
focus on the relationships between religions and women's inequality. They seek to change religious language, symbols and rituals to eliminate elements of patriarchy
Simple Supernaturalism
refers to the belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives either positively or negatively ex: it is used to explain things in nature like sunrises, thunderstorms/ ways that objects bring people good and bad luck
Rituals
regularly repeated and carefully prescribed forms if behaviors that symbolize a cherished value or belief
Durkheim's View on Religion
religion is essential to the maintenance of society religion is found in all societies because it meets basic human needs and serves important societal functions sacred beliefs and rituals bind people together
Meaning and Purpose
religion offers meaning for the human experience, it offers explanations, offers hope of an afterlife, and makes injustices easier to endure.
Categories of Religion
simple supernaturalism animism theism transcent idealism
Animism
the belief that plants, animals, or other elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits or life forces that have an impact on events in society
Spiritaulity
the relationship between the individual and something larger than oneself, such as a broader sense of connection with the surrounding world
Civil Religion
the set of beliefs, rituals, and symbols that makes sacred the values of the society and places the nation in the context of the ultimate system of meaning (Not tied to any denomination)
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on Religion
they examine the meanings people give to religion in their everyday lives ex: religious symbols hold special meanings (Cross for christians)
Max Weber and Protestant Work Ethic
those who have faith, perform good works, and achieve economic success are more likely to be among the chosen of God.
Functionalist Perspective on Religion
Religion has 3 major functions in society 1: meaning and purpose 2:social cohesion and a sense of belonging 3: social control and support for the government
Theism
a belief in a God or Gods who shape human affairs, includes monotheism and polytheism
Transcent idealism
a belief in sacred principles of thought and conduct (does not focus on worshiping a God) principles include: truth, justice, affirmation of life, tolerance for others, they seek an elevated state of consciousness in which they can fulfill their true potential.
Faith
a confident belief that cannot be proven or disproved but is accepted as true
Social Control and Support for the Government
all societies attempt to maintain social control through systems of rewards and punishments, sacred symbols and beliefs establish powerful, persuasive, long- lasting motivations based on the concept of a general order of existence. Religion helps maintain social control in society by conferring supernatural legitimacy and the norms and laws of a society. In some societies, social control occurs as a result of direct collusion between dominant classes and the dominant religious organizations.
