Chapter 13

Explain: Secularization at a MESO level

secularization happens when an organization adopts a more "worldly," rational, utilitarian, and scientific approach to decision making --occurs here when decisions about how to deliver services or who will be hired/fired are based on systematic policies

Explain: Secularization at the MACRO level

secularization is characterized by the institution differentiation and increased autonomy from religious authority --occurs here when decisions in the society at large are made without reference to religious ideas

2 examples of general compensators

sense of meaning in life and hope for an afterlife

What did Finke and Stark study?

studied if religious pluralism contributes to greater religious participation (called religious mobilization) --their indicator of mobilization: adherence

How have hospital and social service agencies changed due to meso-level secularization

they use conventional business practices and nonreligious organizational theologies to operate

What are 2 changes in religion that show secularization

1. Changes in theology to emphasize logical reasoning and acceptance of scientific method 2. When an org changes to using rational, utilitarian business practices

What was Finke's summary of the process of the evolution of a religious economy? (6)

1. Deregulation leads to 2. Pluralism which leads to 3. Competition -- 4. Specialization of product (cater to a market nicke) and aggressive recruitment -- 5. Recruitment to higher demand -- 6. Greater participation

Overall, what are the primary assumptions believed b y Neosecularization Theorists?

1. Neosecularization Theorists do NOT think religion is declining... they believe it is changing 2. Most Neosecularization Theorists confirm religion is still a powerful force at the individual level and has some influence at the macro level 3. They confirm there is a trend toward secularization in most Western societies but that trend is not inevitable or uniform (it is counteracted by social processes) 4. For most Neosecularization Theorists, secularization is primarily about reduction of influence of religion at the macro level, not micro

What are 5 other categories of "saints" in US culture?

1. Presidents: Jefferson, Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Kennedy 2. Folk heroes (like Betsy Ross) 3. Business tycoons who represent the rags-to-riches mythology 4. Military heroes who symbolize courage and a willingness to sacrifice for the nation 5. Martin Luther King Jr. has become a saint of civil religion because of his efforts to apply the motto "freedom and justice for all" to all Americans

What are the 5 stages of religious evolution

1. Primitive 2. Archaic 3. Historic 4. Early modern 5. Modern

What are 4 concluding observations about secularization according to neosecularization theorists

1. Secularization at the MACRO level is clearly at work in all Western democratic societies 2. Secularization at the individual level is variable and is far from universal 3. Secularization is not inevitable or unstoppable 4. Secularization is a useful concept for describing a social process, but its predictive power is limited

In the contemporary world, what 3 forces shape a society's worldview?

1. The advent of science as an institution 2. The increased sophistication of technology 3. The higher levels of formal education in the general population

What were the 2 sources reinforced by moral ethos

1. The biblical concept of covenant with God 2. The secular republican political philosophy that called forth commitment to the common good

What do critiques say about civil religion

1. they label it as idolatry of the nation or as "American Shinto" 2. Says the central meaning system is Americanism, even though you belong to a religious group --flag becomes more important than religious symbols AND holidays like the 4th of July are celebrated more than religious holidays

What significant event changed the view of nonsecular governments

9/11

What event shifted the mood and focus of the US? How?

9/11: --Aroused a sense of national identification --New heroes who sacrificed their lives for others became dominant --stories/methos about courage and values of public servants were created --Common citizens become celebrated figures OVERALL: it appears that a new sense of national purpose may arise from the rubble of 9/11

By 1975, what happened to civil religion

American civil religion was an empty, broken shell because it had failed to inspire citizens and losts its critical edge --Bellah believes that both the republican spirit and the sense of covenant have so deteriorated over the past 2 centuries that the nation now faces a national crisis (A revival of civil religion is needed)

5 Examples of a religious group in the Historic Sphere

Ancient Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Early Palestinian Christianity, Confucianism

What did Bellah agree in terms of civil religion

Argued civil religion that is differentiated from both religion & the government is only possible in a modern, secularized society AND it exists alongside but distinct from formal organized religion (it is actually a religious "dimension" of society) --Under conditions of MACRO-level secularization, a meaning system that explores the ultimate significance of the nation can emerge ----this helps modern societies solve the problem of political legitimation

What are the 5 universities that have resisted meso-level secularization

Baylor, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Brigham Young, and Pepperdine

What is the conflicting problem with Parsons and Bellah's perspective

Because they viewed secularization in POSITIVE terms, their reasoning would deny that secularization is occuring today --however, they said it was taking place

Explain: Heretical Imperative --effect?

Berger believed each person is not free to choose, but each person is coerced into choosing --Effect: diminished power of religion in people's everyday lives

How are Berger's & Parsons and Bellah's perspective on secularization similar?

Both believed secularization is taking place

According to Bellah, civil religion, at best, does what to help the general population

Civil Religion, at best, guards against governments doing whatever they want to do and then sanctifying their actions... it provides a standard of judgement for national policy

How are kids involved in civil religion

Daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance

Example of when civil religion was used to help reform society

EX: Martin Luther King Jr. criticized the nation while expressed hope in his "I Have a Dream" speech --Speech was moving because it was rooted in the American Dream (appealed not only to Christian values) --Speech became a major formulation of American civil religion

Example of a religious group in the Archaic Sphere

EX: Native American

Example of Secularization at the MACRO level

EX: decisions being based on human rights or scientific arguments rather than what is holy/sinful

Who summarized the process of the evolution of a religious economy?

Finke

What 2 sociologists provided empirical support for the Religious Economies Approach

Finke and Stark

Explain the Primitive Sphere

Had a single cosmos of undifferentiated primitive religious worldview --Individual confronts life as "one possibility thing" EX: Australian Aborigines

When does civil religion emerge?

In pluralistic, secular societies (societies in which no one religion can serve to sacralize the existing social arrangements and provide a common core of values), civil religion emerges to fill that void

What were the 3 other findings from the study Stark and Finke failed to consider?

Individuals in Middletown were: 1. less likely overtime to see Christianity as the one true relgiion 2. less likely to believe attending movies on Sundays was wrong (blue law) 3. more likely to believe evolution over the book of Genesis

Why did this change in religious authority occur?

Industrialized societies tend to create their own worldviews (independent of religious myths) AND these secular worldviews may begin to shape religion. --happens bc structural changes cause institutions to become differentiated bodies (institutions gain greater autonomy from religion)

The term civil religion can be traced back to whom --what did he say societies needed?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (French) --Said societies have a need for social sentiments outside of organized religion that a man needs to be a good citizen or faithful subject

Why is the transcendent purpose of the nation important to individauls

Meaning of nation is believed to transcend individual lives and is important in understanding the significance of current events

What is sociology's famous Middletown

Muncie, Indiana

To Parsons and Bellah, what do differentiation and pluralism represent

PROGRESSION of society, not regression and dissolution

What region are NRMs more abundant? why?

Pacific Coast --because it is the region where traditional forms of religion are the weakest

Example of a religious group in the Early Modern sphere

Protestant Christianity

Who are the most severe critics of the old secularization paradigm

Rational Choice Theorist

Why do people rely on religion to shape a worldview?

Religion addresses general needs that can't be solved by this-worldly methods

How did Parsons and Bellah perceive religion's role in today's society (secularization)?

Religion is becoming a more private matter as it is differentiated from society --viewed choosing one's religion as POSITIVE (more important to the individual when they can choose) --secularization involves a CHANGE in religious worldview, NOT a decline in religion --aligned with liberal theologies

Explain what religion shaped BEFORE the 19th century

Religion shaped the worldview of the entire culture and had influence over most social institutions in every society

How did Dobbelacre view individual religiosity as an indicator for societal secularization

Religiosity of individuals is not a valid indicator of societal secularization because societal secularization involves the separation of the state, business, education, healthcare, science, etc. from biblical authority --Stark disagreed

Specific to Parsons, what did he say about religious influence today?

Religious influence is now indirect and implicit (unconscious)

Today, how are religious symbols/religious ways of knowing viewed that is different from before the 19th century --for what type of societies?

Religious symbols are no longer a unifying force and religious ways of knowing are no longer given priority in all circumstances --for industrialized societies

Who specifically is the most strident critic of secularization

Rodney Stark

Today, what 2 things are the arbitrators of the truth?

Scientific method and rational-legal analysis

Explain the Modern Sphere

Symbols system is "infinitely multiplex" --Individual confronts life as an "infinite possibility thing" EX: Religious individualism

How did Berger define secularization

The process by which sectors of society and culture are removed from the domination of religious institutions and symbols --viewed sacred canopy as important for social stability --depicted secularization as NEGATIVE/anti-ethical/dangerous to society: defined it as a loss of sacredness that caused a DECLINE in religion

What 2 concepts do liberal theologists believe?

Theological Modernism and Process Theory

What do Rational Choice Theorist believe

They believe humans seek perceived rewards and avoid perceived costs --rewards are scarce and some are not available to everyone

Who coined the term the "New Paradigm"

Warner

In the US, who are the 2 most important and most widely recognized national heroes or "saints"? And when are they given homage?

Washington and Lincoln --aid homage on Presidents' Day

At a macro level, what approach do rational choice theorists advocate

a "religious economies" approach

Define: Compensator

a belief that a reward will come in the future

Define: Supernatural technology

a method of manipulating nonempirical forces to service this-world needs

Define: Theological Modernism

a rational and empirical outlook into the heart of faith --Lines empiricism with theology

Define Religion according to Bellah and Parsons

a set of symbolic forms and acts that relate people to the ultimate conditions of existence

From Max Weber's perspective, define Secularization

a transformation of society involving: --(1) greater institutional differentiation and organizational autonomy from religious authority and --(2) a more rational, utilitarian, and empiricist outlook on life and on decision making by individuals and groups

What is a Specific Compensator

compensators who address needs that could be satisfied through empirical means but are denied because of scarcity or social competition

What is the problem with a religious organization reforming theology to adopt a theology more consistent with science --result?

abandoning supernaturalism... can only offer very weak general compensators --result: increasing creation of sects or entirely new religious movements (NRMs)

Define: a religious economy

all the religious activity going on in any society

What is the effect of the Modern Sphere on mankind?

allows for greater freedom --viewed as an advancement for mankind

What does the Neo Secularization Theory argue about individual-level data

argues individual-level data such as attendance and membership are inadequate measures of religious transformation

What do national ceremonies generally occur around (location wise)? Why?

around national shrines --bc shrines are capable of eliciting a feeling of awe because they symbolize both the ideals of the nation and the sacrifices made on the nation's behalf

How does Mark Have define secularization

as a process of the declining scope of religious authority that can occur at the individual (micro) level), the organizational (meso) level, and the societal (macro) level

How did Bellah define Civil Religion

as an understanding of the American experience in the light of ultimate and universal reality

After 9/11, how did the media depict nonsecular governments

as the most dangerous kind of government --being secular was equated to being democratic, rational, civil, and governed by law

the world construction of a scientist is based on what 2 things?

based on causality and logic

Why did Berger depict secularization as negative

bc he believed the function of religion was to provide a sacred canopy of unifying worldview and symbols

Why did Berger believe pluralism was a bad thing?

bc multiple worldviews can make all worldviews seem relative, not absolute... this can raise anxiety --makes the choice less than certain

What did Stark and Bainbridge say about WHY religious groups are becoming discredited --effect?

because empirical scientific methods are disproving many claims about specific compensators --effect: creates the problem of plausibility and skepticism

Even though science and technology prove more effective, why won't science replace religion?

because it is incapable of addressing nonempirical (spiritual) needs

When supernaturalism is geared toward specific compensators, what do those compensators becomes a form of?

becomes a form of supernatural technology

What do functional theorist believe is the glue in society? --Historically, what institution was the glue?

believe common beliefs, values, and symbols are the glue that hold society together --religion historically did this

What did Stark and Bainbridge say about general compensators?

believe religion deals ONLY with general compensators --But most groups offer a mix of general and specific compensators

How did Stark view the secularization theory

believed the theory is dead and the concept is no longer useful --meaning: he believed we do not live in a secularized society

What does the empiricist believe about sacredness in society? --meaning?

believes nothing is sacred --Meaning: nothing is beyond question and analysis

Example of spheres in Institutional Differentiation

business, politics, leisure, and education

What has been a characteristic of the American republic since its founding --where is evidence of this found? (4)

civil religion --Evidence found in presidential inaugural addresses, sacred texts (Declaration of Independence), places (Gettysburg), and community rituals (Memorial Day parades) ----some of the 1st presidents treated America as the "Promised Land"

What was the trend of differentiation of religion from society noted by Bellah

claimed there is a general trend showing an increase in differentiation

What is another name for the MESO level

internal secularization

What is the effect of a moral ethos

counter-balanced narrow selfishness by proclaiming the obligation to act in the public interest --without this moral tone and sense of obligation, unfettered self-interest would destroy the cohesion and spirit of goodwill within the country --An endorsement of individualism must countered with some sense of obligation to the larger community

What did some 1st presidents treating America as the "Promised Land" create

created a long process of myth development that has grown over the past 200 years --Belief in the American Dream, American way of life, and the fundamental goodness of America is expressed with a supernatural blessing --Hymns (like God Bless America) evoke a sense of reverence bc they express deeply ingrained mythology

What level does the neosecularization theory claim secularization may be dangerous at? Why?

dangerous at the micro levels (more variable at this level) --Secularizing things (structures and processes), but not people --secularizing people would result in conflicts in society

Macro (societal level) secularization is a point of controversy in the US. What are the debates about? --explain the nature of the debates

debates about prayers in school or the Pledge of Allegiance involving God --Nature of debates are increasingly secular (based on a rational consideration of social consequences and civil rights)... no longer a religious issue, but a civil rights one

What was the clergy's response to this change in religious authority?

developing logical and rational theologies --Mythology was shaped by empiricism, both in secular world and religious

In the Colonial days, how was the egal and economic system devised

devised to protect the rights of the individual to pursue his or her own self-interests --involved a moral ethos

What is the cost to a private university that doesn't secularization at the meso-level

diminished academic reputation --trend: private institutions with the highest measures of academic reputation do NOT have strong religious identities

What is the effect of the evolution of a religious economy

diversity of religious market reflects the diversity of the pop

How are Berger's & Parsons and Bellah's perspective on secularization different?

don't think religion is declining --said secularization was increasing individual importance of religion

In the US, how is civil religion expressed?

expressed through ritual done on "high holy days" like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, the presidential inauguration day --Ceremonies express central American values and inspire a feeling of unity and a sense of transcendence (greater purpose) by emphasizing the transcendent purpose of the nation --some view these as the central expression of civil religion

What did Finke and Stark study find?

found a positive relationship (religious adherence in the US grew) --book was called The Churching of America (considered the crown jewel in the religious economies crown)

What did the Middletown study find?

found from 1931-1970, the number of resident sin one house of worship decreased --meaning: the number of houses of worship increased --found pattern applied nationally

What are blue laws

government-enforced religious codes that denied certain activities (no sale of alcohol) or required certain business (car dealerships) to be closed on Sundays --AKA "Sunday statutes," "Sunday closing laws" or "Sabbath laws" (Sabbath meaning rest)

What idea about civil religion did Bellah agree with Rousseau and Durkheim on?

he saw legitimation as a problem faced by every nation, and civil religion as one solution

In places blue laws exist, what is the reasoning residents are most likely to give for why they are in place?

likely to give secular reasons for maintaining the laws --EX: less traffic on the road

According to Berger, what are the effects of secularization on a group?

loses its sense of transcendence or sacredness and focuses on "marketing" the faith to individuals who are not constrained to "buy" --Said this process is so powerful that it is irresistible and inevitable... it is the wave of the future

When secularization happens in religion, what is it changed?

modernization

Result of Institutional Differentiation

norms, values, and practices of the religious sphere have only an INDIRECT influence on other spheres

Define: Secularized society

one in which people will feel free to believe and act in certain ways that disregard, differ from, or go against religious authority views --people's behaviors are categorized by autonomy and choice

In a scientifically-oriented society, what did Berger believe this new thinking encouraged? why?

pluralism (multiplicity of worldviews in a society) --Bc individual thinking is valued

To Bellah, was religious evolution positive or negative? why?

positive because it will strengthen the influence of society --religions is able to reaffirm the present social structure AND can challenge the current norms and values to offer an alternative culture --Did NOT claim evolutionary process is irreversible

What did Durkheim recognize about the importance of God in his time? --What did he do with that information? --What did he find?

recognized the traditional gods were growing old/dying --sought a more modern basis for the renewal of the collective sentiments societies need if they are to stay together FOUND: civil religious ideals arise from national civil religious rituals

what are religious organizations response to people relying on scientific methods as sources of validation, rather than scientific methods?

reforming theology to adopt a theology more consistent with science

What the trend of differentiation increase rooted in

rooted in large structural changes

Specific to Bellah, what did he say about religious influence today?

said it is an increased complexity in religious symbolism and structures --Defined it as "Religious Evolution"

What did Stark and Bainbridge say about secularization?

said it is self-limiting, an overpowering force, and not inevitable --self-limiting because it can't provide general compensators --secularization involves a reformation of religion and the spawning of NRMs

What did Niebuhr say about nationalism

said nationalism was a greater threat to Christianity than atheism --Bellah partly agreed (more benign view of civil religion)

How did Stark view individual religiosity --and societal secularization

said secularization is about individual religious commitment --says that societal-level secularization has occurred

What did Stark and Bainbridge say about magic and supernatural solutions?

said they will fade as secular scientific empiricism replaces it --bc science and technology prove more effective in addressing this-worldly needs

What did Berger say about today's religious climate and the assumption that we live in a secularized world?

said today's world is just as or more religious than ever and the assumption we live in a secularized world is false

What did Bellah say that critiqued civil religion

said without an awareness that America stands under higher judgement, the tradition of civil religion is dangerous --agreeing with Niebuhr --bc it would serve only to sanctify the status quo and the current social structures HOWEVER, he denied Niebuhr's idea that the conservative function is the only role of civil religion in the US

What does Process Theory say about change? --connection to God?

says change is inescapable and eternal --God is viewed as change and evolving, not absolute

What is viewed by sociologists as one of the most powerful forces in the modern world?

secularization

What did liberal theologists tend to do with traditions like religion

tended to re-formulate the traditions so it aligned with the most recent scientific finding and other humanistic values in contemporary society --Scientific evidence is considered a starting point for theology

What was the turning point time period that changed religious authority

the 19th century

In US civil religion, what is the paramount sacred object

the American flag --Importance seen in the handling of the flag and in the intensity of outrage when the stars and stripes are treated inappropriately

What micro-level study on secularization shows the decline in scope fo religious authority at the individual level

the Middletown studies done by Stark and Finke

What theory do neosecualrization theorist believe in

the NEW secularization theory (macro, meso, and micro)

How is the US connected to the result of micro-level secularization

the US is in such a strain from that conflict --seen in the conflict between conservatives and liberals on public issues about prayers in schools, reference to God in the Pledge, etc.

Define: Civil religion

the cultural beliefs, practices, and symbols that relate a nation to the ultimate conditions of its existence --religion changing by becoming a part of the general aspect of society itself, rather than being a specific religious organization on its own

What example shows secularization in our society?

the decline of blue laws

How did Stark define societal-level secularization

the liberation of other institutions from the dominance of religious insititutions

What is considered the most important level by the neosecularization paradigm? why?

the macro level because it discusses the centrality of institutional differentiation at the societal level

What reshaped the role of religion in society after the 19th century?

the modern empirical scientific worldview

Explain what the "New Paradigm" says about secularization

the new paradigm says the idea that secularization is NOT inevitable is now conventional

Define: Institutional Differentiation

the process by which specialized institutions develop or arise to handle specific functions previously carried out by one institution

Example of meso-level secularization

the secularization of higher education --before: most private universities began as religiously-sponsored institutions (ex: Ivy leagues) --now: these universities are secularized by organizational structure and curriculum

What happens to the later spheres during religious evolution?

the spheres become less-dualistic overtime --meaning: less-dualism allows them to have more autonomy to think for themselves / create their own system of meaning

What do each of the stages of religious evolution symbolize?

the spheres moving toward the increasing differentiation and complexity of symbol systems

What is the Secularization theory

the view that today we live in a society that is completely differentiated

How can we see the effect meso-level secularization on religious organizations

there is a trend of the diminishing role fo religious authority in controlling resources of organizations

What is happening to blue laws today

they are being repealed and most places have economic norms (not religious) governing commercial and recreational activity --EX: Sport events on Sundays are HUGE now

How do rational choice theorists disagree with Berger?

they argue pluralism makes the market competitive and creates greater religious participation --Does not believe it undermines plausibility or commitment

How is contemporary churches and televangelists connects to meso-level secularization

they market their fight for growth and adopt business management practices to manage the organization --ex: adapting music based on what sells

What did Berger say religions must do to respond to this new thinking

they must accommodate (get in the free enterprise and modify its product) to survive

Today, how are truth and knowledge gained? --how is that different from before the 19th century --importance

through double-blind experimental studies --rather than through nonrational visions or religious institutions importance: People look to science and technology to solve problems

What is the current transcendent purpose of the nation

to rid the world of terrorists --freedom has become a uniting value that bonds people of many backgrounds and calls them to sacrifice and commit for a shared purpose

What is the purpose of having national heroes or saints

to serve as focal points for veneration and myth development --said to be exemplary of the American Way and serve as inspiration and as behavioral models like saints in the Christian tradition

What is the trend in today's religion moving toward according to neosecularization theorists

trend is TOWARD the individualization of religion --Meaning: People saying they are more spiritual than religious --Involves separation of individual spirituality and religious authority

Define: the sacred canopy

unifying power of religious symbols and a common worldview

What does it mean for a sphere to be dualistic

views the material world as evil and the spiritual existence as is good --idea DECREASED in importance

Explain: Secularization at a MICRO level

when individuals don't orient their understandings or actions in the world to religious authority --occurs here when individuals do not believe their faith is relevant to everyday life

When humans don't have access to rewards, what do rational choice theorists believe

when they don't have access to rewards, they seek compensators

Do blue laws still exist?

yes