Religion

A social institution involving beliefs and practices based on recognizing the sacred (488)

Sociology and Religion

generally the disputes of which religion is the theme turn about the question whether it can conciliate itself with science or not, that is to say, whether or not there is a place beside our scientific knowledge for another form of thought which would be specifically religious
Emile Durkheim, Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Sociology and the Study of Religion

Sociology is the systematic study of human society. Religion is a social institution involving beliefs and practices based on recognizing the sacred. Sociologists generally refrain from making normative judgments about whether any particular religion is right or wrong.
Because religion is a matter of faith, it is impossible to prove or disprove religious doctrine.

Sociology and the Study of Religion

But as Durkheim notes, The formation of the ideal world isnot an irreducible fact which escapes science; it depends upon conditions which observation can touch; it is a natural product of social life.
Here ideal world refers to religion Religion reflects the collective ideal of society

Sociologists study religion by trying to understand the role religion plays in society. They ask:
Why does religion vary from one society to the next? How does religious activity affect society? How is religion tied to other social institutions? What types of people tend to be religious? Why?

Some Terms
Religion
A social institution involving beliefs and practices based on recognizing the sacred (488)

Faith
Belief based on conviction rather than on scientific evidence (489)

Monotheism
Belief in a single divine power (497)

Polytheism
Belief in many gods (497)

Religious Organizations
Sociologists categorize religious organizations. Here are three different types:
Churches Sects Cults

Lets look at each.

Churches
According to Troeltsch (1931), a church is a type of religious organization that is well integrated into the larger society. Churches
Have well-established rules Persist Have formally trained leaders

State Church: a church formally allied with the state Denomination: a church, independent of the state, that recognizes religious pluralism

Sect
Sect: a type of religious organization that stands apart from the larger society. Sects
Form exclusive groups Have rigid religious convictions Are less formal that churches Are less likely to have formally trained leaders (Charisma is often important)

Sects often splinter off of churches. Sects proselytize, actively recruit members. Sects appeal to disadvantaged people

Cults
A cult is a religious organization that is largely outside a societys cultural tradition. Cults generally form around highly charismatic leaders. They promote a new and very different way of life. Questions
What are some examples? How do we stereotypically think about cults? Why might this be problematic?

Variations in Religion by Time and Place

Pre-industrial Societies
Hunters and gathers practiced animism, the belief that elements of the natural world are conscious life forms that affect humanity. Pastoral societies began to practice monotheism Agrarian societies saw the rise of a specialized priesthood to oversee religious rituals.

Industrial Societies
Science became more important. More and more people turned to scientific knowledge to solve their problems. Still, religion persists, as science cant answer questions of ultimate meaning.

The Theoretical Analysis of Religion

Structural-Functional Analysis
Emile Durkheim thought that religion was an inevitable aspect of society and that religion divided the world into the sacred and the profane.
Profane: an ordinary element of everyday life (488) Sacred: aspects of society that are set apart as extraordinary, inspiring awe and reverence (488)
Formal ceremonial behaviors or rituals identify the sacred.

What are some examples of the profane? The sacred?

 Durkheim argues that

Structural-Functional Analysis

[t]here can be no society which does not feel the need of upholding and reaffirming at regular intervals the collective sentiments and the collective ideas which make its unity (Elementary Forms of Religious Life)
Totems: objects in the natural world that we define as sacred

Three major functions of religion:

Social Cohesion
Religion unites people through shared symbolism, values, and norms

Social Control
God acts as a judge

Providing meaning and purpose

Religion helps us justify our beliefs as having a higher purpose

Symbolic-Interaction Analysis
This perspective argues that religion is socially constructed. Rituals allow people to distinguish between the sacred and the profane. Religion infuses special meaning into human behavior.

Social-Conflict Analysis
As a materialist (one who believes that how a society produces material goods defines the all social system), Marx thought that we could understand religion by understanding relationships to the means of production. Marx argued that religion serves those who rule by legitimizing the status quo. Thus, religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless worldIt is the opiate of the people. Religion prevents revolutionary change.
superstructure
Social Inst.

Economy

infrastructure

Social-Conflict Analysis
Religion and social inequality also linked through gender
Virtually all the worlds major religions are patriarchal Most religions now have women in leadership roles

Social-Conflict Approach
Weber had a slightly different view on religion and social conflict. Weber thought that ideas mattered and religious ideas could reshape a society.
Remember the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism?

Liberation Theology
The combining of Christian principles with political activism, often Marxist in character. Social oppression runs counter to Christian morality.

Religion in the United States

Who is Religious?
Religiosity- the importance of religion in a persons life.
How do we measure this?

Factors
Age Sex Race Intelligence Religious Affiliation Social Ties

Why Atheists and Liberals are More Intelligent by Kanazawa

National Map 13.1

Religious Membership across the United States
Society: The Basics, 9th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2007 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religious Diversity across the United States

In most counties, at least 25 percent of people who report having an affiliation are members of the same religious organization. Thus, although the U.S. is religiously diverse at the national level, most people live in communities where one denomination predominates. What historical facts might account for this pattern?
Source: Glenmary Research Center (2002).

Society: The Basics, 9th Edition by John Macionis Copyright 2007 Prentice Hall, a division of Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Religion and Social Life

Number of social patterns linked to strong religious beliefs
Low rates of delinquency Low rates of divorce Helps unite children, parents, and local communities Enhances educational achievement of young people

Religion in a Changing Society

Secularization
Secularization- the historical decline in the importance of the supernatural and the sacred Although religious patterns are changing, there is little evidence to support the secularization hypothesis.
In fact, the share of people with religious affiliations today is higher than it was in 1850.

Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism- a conservative religious doctrine that opposes intellectualism and worldly accommodation in favor of restoring traditional, otherworldly religion. Fundamentalism is distinct in 5 ways:
Fundamentalists take the words of sacred texts literally Fundamentalists reject religious pluralism Fundamentalists pursue the personal experience of Gods presence Fundamentalists oppose secular humanism Many Fundamentalists endorse conservative political goals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fq4wZ_lQjc&feature= related

New Age
More and more people have been seeking spiritual development outside of established religious organizations. 5 core values
Seekers believe in a higher power Seekers believe were all connected Seekers believe in a spirit world Seekers want to experience the spirit world Seekers pursue transcendence