Chapter 17

Symbolic Interactionist Theories on Religion

focus on a micro level analysis of religion, examining the meanings people give to religion and the meaning they attach to religious symbols in their everyday life.

Functionalist Perspective on Religion

Durkheim believed that religion is essential for the maintenance of society, that the central feature of all religions is the presence of sacred beliefs and rituals that bind people together. religion has three important functions; 1) providing meaning and purpose to life, 2) promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging, and 3) providing social control and support for the government.

Feminist Theorists on Religion

have pointed out that even though they may belong to the same religious groups, men and women experience religion in different ways. religious doctrine and language create a social definition of the roles of men and women that place women in subordinate roles in some religions.

Interactionist Perspectives on Religion

look at the role of religion in people's everyday lives. lofland and Stark studied conversion to a nontraditional religious movement. this conversion was more likely if individuals had certain predisposing background factors; had come to a turning point in their lives, had close personal ties to members of the group; had a lack of ties to people outside the group; had intensive interaction with group members.

religious fundamentalism

refers to a religious doctrine that is conservative is typically opposed to modernity, and rejects "worldly pleasures" in favor of otherworldly spirituality.

Rituals

regularly repeated and carefully prescribed forms of behavior that symbolize a cherished value or belief.

The future role of Religion in Canada

religion in Canada is clearly in decline, and the prognosis for the future is not bright. however, Canadians still have a strong interest in spiritual matters and continue to identity with the church. to take advantage of these factors, churches must find new ways to become relevant to the daily lives of Canadians.

The Impact of Religion on People's attitudes and behavior

research on the impact of religion on attitudes and behavior has had mixed results. religiosity reduces involvement in delinquent and criminal behavior. Religious people have longer and happier marriages than nonreligious people. religion and prayer appear to have little impact on health, although they play a role in comforting the sick.

Post modernist Theorists on religion

some theorists have proposed that the structural conditions of postmodernism, including the negative consequences of globalization and its perceived threats to the moral order, can destabilize local values and traditions. instead of leading to secularization, these conditions can lead to a strengthening of faith as some people resist these threats by turning to religion.

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.

simple supernatrualism

the belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives either positively or negatively.

profane

the everyday, secular, or "worldly" aspects of life

Conflict Perspective on Religion

think religion can have negative consequences. the capitalist class uses religion as a tool of domination to mislead workers about their true interests. however, max Weber believed that region could be a catalyst for social change.

sacred

those aspects of life that are extraordinary or supernatural.

faith

unquestioning belief that does not require proof or scientific evidence

Theism

a belief in a god or gods

Monotheism

a belief in a single, supreme being or god who is responsible for significant events, such as the creation of the world.

Polytheism

a belief in more than one god

Church

a large bureaucratically organized religious body that tends to seek accommodation with the larger society in order to maintain some degree of control over it.

sect

a relatively small religious group that has broken away from another religious organization to renew what it views as the original version of the faith.

Nontheistic religion

a religion based on a belief in divine spiritual forces, such as sacred principles of thought and conduct, rather than a god or gods

cult

a religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of a society.

Why have Canadians turned away from the chuch

according to Bibby, people have moved from religious commitment to religious consumption. economic and political factors can be to blame.

Religion

based on some supernatural realm, is a system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that guide human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a community.

Rational Choice perspective on Religion

based on the assumption that religion is essentially a rational response to human needs. does not claim that any particular religious belief is necessarily true or more rational than another one.

Marx on Religion

believed that religion hindered social change. thought "systematic views of the way the world aught to be" are embodied in religious doctrines and political view. was a conflict theorist.

Religious organizations can be categorized as

churches, sects, and cults.