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