Chapter 15: Sociology

what do Christianity and islam have in common?

ALL OF THE ABOVE -both believe in a single supreme God, -both share many of the same so ties in their central religion texts -both believe in an afterlife

Name the Religion that practices "The Four Noble Truths"

Buddhism

The Protestant work ethic was viewed in terms of its relationship to

Capitalism

in what part of the wold have Confucianism and Taoism been primarily practiced?

China

the main difference between an ecclesia and a denomination is::

Essclesia are state-sponsored and considered an official religion

When Rose and Sergei realized that the poor were bring neglected in their city, they mobilized the members of their synagogue to send letters to the government asking them to fix the growing rate of poverty, or at least, fund the citizens so they might help their neighbors. this is an example of_____.

Liberation Theology

social scientists refer to the use of a church to combat social injustice int he political realm as:

Liberation theology

what are some denominations of the Christian Protestant Church?

Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist

Roberto has just moved to a new city. he does not know anyone but he wants to find a mosque where he can practice Islam. Which theory will Roberto use, either consciously or subconsciously, to make a decision?

Rational Choice Theory

The Sociological Approach to Religion

Religion describes the beliefs, values, and practices related to sacred or spiritual concerns. Social theorist Émile Durkheim defined religion as a "unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things" (1915). Max Weber believed religion could be a force for social change. Karl Marx viewed religion as a tool used by capitalist societies to perpetuate inequality. Religion is a social institution because it includes beliefs and practices that serve the needs of society. Religion is also an example of a cultural universal because it is found in all societies in one form or another. Functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism all provide valuable ways for sociologists to understand religion.

which two words did Emile Durkheim use to distinguish between religious objects and non-religios objects?

Sacred; profane

some controversial groups that may be mislabeled as cults include:

Scientology and the Hare Krishna

many stories int he sacred text of Judaism are:

Shared by Christianity and Islam

You are interested, like Durkheim, in how ordinary objects become sacred. which theoretical approach will help you most in analyzing the data you collect?

Symbolic interaction

the______ records Jewish interpretations of the _______ which is there sacred text.

Talmud; Torah

A sociologist styling how religious beliefs brome so deeply rooted in people that they can hate people of other religions probably is

a conflict theorist

denomination

a large, mainstream religion that is not sponsored by the state

monotheism

a religion based on belief in a single deity

polytheism

a religion based on belief in multiple deities

ecclesia

a religion that is considered the state religion

sect

a small, new offshoot of a denomination

religion

a system of beliefs, values, and practices concerning what a person holds to be sacred or spiritually significant

totemism

belief in a divine connection between humans and other natural beings

atheism

belief in no deities

which socialist perspective most emphasizes the ways in which religion helps to maintain social inequalities within a society?

conflict theory

which perspective most emphasizes the ways in which religion helps to keep the social system running smoothly?

funcitonal perspective

a cultural universal is something that:

is found in all cultures

Megachurches tend to have

large arenas where services are held.

a sect:

often believes it must split from the larger group to return to important fundamentals

which of the following do the functionalist and conflict perspectives share?

position that religion relates to social control, enforcing social norms

which of the following is NOT true of the sociological perspective on religion?

religion is a symbol of high culture

what correlation between religion and society did Max Weber see and study?

religion was very influential over the economy and the habits of workers

cults

religious groups that are small, secretive, and highly controlling of members and have a charismatic leader

established sects

sects that last but do not become denominations

religious beliefs

specific ideas that members of a particular faith hold to be true

which of the main theoretical perspectives would approach religion from the micro-level,s turing how religion impacts an individual's sense of support and well-being? q

symbolic interactionsim

religious experience

the conviction or sensation that one is connected to the divine

animism

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

liberation theology

the use of a church to promote social change via the political arena

what is the primary reason sociologists study religion?

to study the role that religion plays in people's lives