Chapter 15 Religion Introduction to Sociology Spring 2010
Discuss the sociological approach to religion. Emile Durkheim was perhaps the 1 st sociologist to recognize the critical importance of religion in human societies. In Durkheim s view, religion is a collective act and includes many forms of behavior in which people interact with others. Durkheim defined religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things.
The sacred encompasses elements beyond everyday life that inspire awe, respect, and even fear. By contrast, the profane includes ordinary and commonplace elements. Durkheim argued that religious faiths distinguish between certain events that transcend the ordinary and the everyday world.
Contemporary sociologists view religion in 2 different ways. 1. They study the norms and values of religious faiths by examining their substantive beliefs. 2. At the same time, sociologists examine religion in terms of the social functions it fulfills, such as providing social support or reinforcing social norms.
Identify the diverse nature of world religions and practices. Overall, about 85% of the world s population adheres to some religion; only about 15% is non-religious. Christianity is the largest single faith in the world; the 2 nd largest is Islam. Tremendous diversity exists in religious beliefs and practices.
Discuss the role of religion from the various sociological perspectives. Functionalists and conflict theorists evaluate religion s impact as a social institution. Functionalists view religion as providing an integrative function for society. The integrative power of religion can be found in celebrations of life events such as weddings or funerals, or in times of crisis or confusion, such as immediately after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Max Weber demonstrated the collective nature of religion in his pioneering work The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Weber s Protestant ethic suggested an association between religious allegiance and capitalist development in which 1 by-product was the accumulation of savings.
The conflict view of religion suggests that religion impedes social change by encouraging oppressed people to focus on otherworldly concerns rather than on their immediate poverty or exploitation. Karl Marx described religion as an opiate that drugged the masses into submission. Marxists suggested that inducing a false consciousness through religion lessens the possibility of collective political action.
Feminists study the important role of women in religious socialization. This is in contrast to the patriarchal ideology and leadership of most religions.
Describe the components of religious behavior. 1. Religious beliefs are statements to which members of a particular religion adhere. 2. Religious rituals are practices required or expected of members of a faith. 3. Religious experience refers to the feeling or perception of being in direct contact with the ultimate reality, such as a divine being, or being overcome with religious emotion.
Discuss the basic forms of religious organization. Sociologists find it useful to distinguish among 4 basic forms of religious organizations. An ecclesia is a religious organization that claims to includes most or all of the members of a society and is recognized as the national or official religion, such as Islam in Saudi Arabia. A denomination is a large, organized religion that is not officially linked to the state or government. (Ex. Roman Catholics)
A sect can be defined as a relatively small religious group that has broken away from some other religious organization to renew what it considers the original vision of faith. (An established sect is a religious group that is the outgrowth of a sect, yet remains isolated from society. The 7 th Day Adventists and the Amish are contemporary examples.)
A new religious movement or cult is generally a small secretive religious group (e.g., Heaven s Gate) that represents either a new religion or a major innovation of an existing faith.
Describe the various forms of new religious movements and organizations. NRMs (new religious movements) are similar to sects in that they tend to be small and are often viewed as less respectable than more established faiths. Unlike sects, however, NRMs normally do not result from schisms or breaks with established ecclesiae or denominations. Some cults, such as those focused on UFO sightings, may be totally unrelated to existing faiths. Even when a cult does accept certain fundamental tenets of a dominant faith it will offer new revelations or insights to justify its claim to being a more advanced religion.
Discuss the sociological significance of religion in India. The case study of India provides insight into the social institutions of religion. Hinduism and Islam are the 2 most important religions in India. Hindus account for 74% of India s population, while Muslims account for 12%. Other religions include Sikhism and Jainism. Religion was a major force in overturning British colonial rule. In India, political parties align themselves along religious lines. Religion has also affected economic progress for some in India.
Discuss social policy regarding religion in schools. Mainstream scientific thinking holds that humans evolved over billions of years from one-celled organisms, and that the universe came into being 15 billion years ago as a result of a big bang. These theories are challenged by people who hold to the biblical account of the creation of humans and the universe some 10,000 years ago a viewpoint known as creationism.