Religion
who pioneered Functionalism?
Durkheim
define: religiosity
a measure of how religious people consider themselves to be
define: intrinsic religiosity
a person's inner religious life/personal relationship to the divine
define: extrinsic religiosity
a person's public display of commitment (such as attendance at religious services or other related functions)
define: secularization
a process of decline in the influence of religion
define: denomination
a recognized autonomous branch of the Christian Church
define: religion
a set of beliefs adhered to by the members of a community that has: - symbols regarded with a sense of awe/wonder - ritual practices
define: civil religion
a set of religious beliefs through which a society interprets its own history in light of some conception of ultimate reality
according to the conflict theory, how does religion promote gender inequality?
by presenting negative stereotypes about women and by reinforcing traditional views about their subordination to men
the cross is a symbol of what religion?
christianity
what is the world's largest religion?
christianity
christianity is characterized by _____
christianity is characterized by monotheism
christians are _____, both as a share of the US population and in total numbers
christians are declining, both as a share of the US population and in total numbers
define: cults
fragmentary religious groupings to which individuals are loosely affiliated. they lack any permanent structure
later conflict theorists point to the use of religion to justify _____, ______, and oppression of _____
later conflict theorists point to the use of religion to justify racism, sexism, and oppression of homosexuals
religion is about community: social _____, social _____, _____, and ______
religion is about community: social cohesion, social control, meaning, and purpose
define: sects
religious movements that break away from orthodoxy
the decline of christians in the US corresponds with the continued rise in the share of _____
the decline of christians in the US corresponds with the continued rise in the share of americans with no religious affiliation
define: orthodoxy
the generally accepted theory, doctrine, or practice
the protestant work ethic influenced the development of _____
the protestant work ethic influenced the development of capitalism
what does the symbolic interactionism theory or religion focus on?
the ways in which individuals interpret their religious experiences
what things are considered profane?
- everything that is not considered sacred - things opposed to the sacred - things that stand apart from the sacred
how can secularization be measured?
- membership in religious organizations - social influence, wealth, and prestige of religious organizations - religiosity
what do sociologists of religion study?
- the ways a crisis in prevailing beliefs promotes religious fervor - how competition among religious organizations leads some to thrive and others to perish - address the relationship among religion, ethnic identity, and politics
what are the 5 key world religions today?
1. christianity 2. islam 3. hinduism 4. buddhism 5. judaism
what are the 3 types of religious organizations?
1. churches and sects 2. denominations 3. cults
what 5 functions do religion serve?
1. giving meaning and purpose to life 2. reinforcing social unity and stability 3. serving as an agent of social control of behavior 4. promoting physical and psychological well-being 5. motivating people to work for positive social changes
most religions have what 4 elements?
1. ritual (practices) 2. a sense of the sacred (meaning) 3. a system of beliefs (faith) 4. organization (each religion has a public component)
how many followers of buddhism are there?
400 million followers
where do most of the adherents to judaism live?
Israel and the US
what did Marx mean by: "religion is the opiate of the masses" ?
religion is a way for the elites to reinforce the oppression of the lower classes
how many people are part of the islam religion?
about 1/4 of the worlds population
where do most buddhist followers live?
asia
define: polytheism
belief in 2 or more gods
define: monotheism
belief in a single god
what are some examples of a denomination?
eastern orthodox, roman catholic
what things are considered sacred?
everything regarded as extraordinary that inspires in believers deep sentiments of awe, respect, mystery, and reverence
what is the third largest religion in the world?
hinduism
_____ and _____ limit capitalism
hinduism and confucianism limit capitalism
hinduism is characterized by _____
hinduism is characterized by polytheism
in most countries, religion is equally or more important to _____ than to _____
in most countries, religion is equally or more important to women than to men
in symbolic interactionism there are shared meanings that come through _____, _____, and _____ that unite people into a moral community
in symbolic interactionism there are shared meanings that come through symbols, rituals, and beliefs that unite people into a moral community
where do most of the people who are part of the hinduism religion live?
india and pakistan
the crescent and star is a symbol of what religion?
islam
what is the fastest growing religion in the world today?
islam
what is the world's second largest religion?
islam
how does religion promote and reinforce social inequality and social conflict?
it helps convince the poor to accept their lot in life and leads to hostility and violence motivated by religious differences
the star of david is a symbol of what religion?
judaism
define: churches
large bodies of people belonging to an established religious organization
_____ attend worship services more often in predominantly muslim countries and israel but _____ attend them more often than men in predominantly christian countries
men attend worship services more often in predominantly muslim countries and israel but women attend them more often than men in predominantly christian countries
are women more or less likely than men to be religiously affiliated in many countries?
more likely
how many adherents are there for judaism?
more than 13 million
how many people in the world are christian?
more than 2 billion people
how many people are a part of the hinduism religion?
more than 800 million people
how is religiosity different from participation in religious services?
people don't need to go to church regularly to consider themselves religious
______ supports capitalism
protestantism supports capitalism
sociologists are especially concerned with the _____ of religion
sociologists are especially concerned with the social organization of religion
sociologists are not concerned with whether religious beliefs are _______
sociologists are not concerned with whether religious beliefs are true or false
sociologists explain the appeal of religion in terms of _____ rather than _____, _____, or _____ factors
sociologists explain the appeal of religion in terms of social forces rather than personal, spiritual, or psychological factors
sociologists find that if a society's members adhere to competing religions, religious differences may lead to ______
sociologists find that if a society's members adhere to competing religions, religious differences may lead to destabilizing social conflicts
sociologists have often viewed religions as a major source of ______ because they offer believers a common set of ______
sociologists have often viewed religions as a major source of social solidarity because they offer believers a common set of norms and values
within christianity, the biggest declines have been in the mainline _____ tradition and among _____
within christianity, the biggest declines have been in the mainline Protestant tradition and among catholics
_____ are more likely to pray daily than _____ in many countries
women are more likely to pray daily than men in many countries