Religion & Religious Institutions December 19 th, 2016
Sociology on Religion Not about studying God or Gods or the existence of God that s theology or philosophy It s about studying people, patterns of belief, impact on groups
Perspectives: Karl Marx The opiate of the people Believed religion was negative and destructive Argued that religion was deterring people from fighting for equal treatment
Emile Durkheim The first sociologist to examine religion scientifically Wondered why all societies have some form of religion Adopted a functionalist view Religion Gives formal approval to existing social arrangements Encourages unity Provides sense of understanding Provides sense of belonging Organic & Mechanical Solidarity
Max Weber Switchman on the tracks Mostly agreed with Durkheim Argued that rather than society affecting religion, religion affected society Eg: Protestant values preached by Martin Luther and John Calvin directly impacted the advent of Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution The Protestant Work Ethic
Religious Organization Cont d December 20 th, 2016
Religion in Society: Stability vs. Change Protest vs. Equilibrium
Secularism & Fundamentalism Secularism separation of church and state. The Sacred loses influence over society. Fundamentalism resistance of secularization and rigid adherence to traditional beliefs, rituals and doctrines.
Martin Luther
Painting by Ferdinand Pauwels, 1871
Religious Organization Religion a personal or institutionalized system of belief in a supernatural power Church (Ecclesia) a type of religious organization to which all people in that society are members Denomination a well-established religious organization in which a substantial portion of the population are members (pluralistic society) Sect religious organization that arises out of a desire to reform an existing religious organization (usually a denomination). Relatively small. Cult a relig. organization whose characteristics are not drawn from existing religious traditions within a society. Founded on the revelations of a person believed to have special knowledge.
Church-Sect Continuum Developed by Howard Becker, based on the ideas of Max Weber
Cults Often lead by a central, charismatic figure Make claims about special knowledge only revealed to insiders Tend to reject the rest of society Followers are often disillusioned by religion/life in general Often urge severing of ties with non-cult members Members often urged to give-up money, personal possessions Cults usually fit one of the following 3 typologies According to a mystically-oriented illumination type an instrumental type, in which inner experience is sought solely for its effects a service-oriented type that is focused on aiding others.
Infamous Examples The Manson Family Jim Jones and the People s Temple Scientology
Jonestown Jim Jones led the People s Temple Settlement on Guyana On November 18 of 1978, over 900 people died in the settlement in a Mass Suicide Participants drank cyanide laced Kool-Aid Some were actually murdered
Cults and Religion How are they the same? How are they different? Consider functionalist perspective according to Durkheim along with the points on page 476-477. Why would people join a cult? What would Karl Marx say about Jonestown?