Religion - Introduction Sociology - Lecture Slides, Slides of Introduction to Sociology

Download Religion - Introduction Sociology - Lecture Slides and more Slides Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Chapter 17 Religion docsity.com Chapter Outline – Defining Religion – The Significance of Religion in U.S. Society – Forms of Religion – Sociological Theories of Religion – World Religions and Religious Diversity docsity.com Defining Religion 4. Religion establishes values for behavior. 5. Religion establishes norms for behavior. 6. Religion provides answers to questions of ultimate meaning. docsity.com Measuring Religiosity Other/Undesignated 4% No religion 7% Orthodox 1% Mormon 1% Jewish 3% Christian (nonspecific) 11% docsity.com The New Face of Religions How important is religion? How often do you attend church or synagogue? Almost every week 10% Never 13% : docsity.com Patriarchal and Matriarchal Religions • In patriarchal religions, the beliefs and practices of the religion are based on male power and authority. • Matriarchal religions are based on the centrality of female goddesses, who may be seen as the source of food, nurturance, and love, or who may serve as emblems of the power of women docsity.com Exclusive and Inclusive Religious Groups • Exclusive religious groups have an easily identifiable religion and culture, including distinctive beliefs and strong moral teachings. • Inclusive religious groups have a more moderate and liberal religious orientation. docsity.com Polling Question • How important would you say religion is in your own life? A.) Very important B.) Fairly important C.) Not very important D.) No opinion docsity.com Marx: Religion, Social Conflict, and Oppression • Religion: – Legitimates the social order and supports the ideas of the ruling class. – Soothes the oppressed and prevents them from rising against oppression. – Can be the basis for social change or social continuity. docsity.com Theories of Religion Religion and the social order Functionalism Integrative force in society. Conflict Theory Reflects inequality in society. Symbolic Interaction Socially constructed and emerges with social and historical change. docsity.com Theories of Religion Religious beliefs Functionalism Provide cohesion by promoting a sense of collective consciousness Conflict Theory Legitimize oppressive social conditions Symbolic Interaction Socially constructed and subject to interpretation. docsity.com Polling Question • What is your current religious affiliation? A.) Protestant B.) Catholic C.) Jewish D.) None E.) Other docsity.com Christianity • Christianity developed in the Mediterranean region of Europe. • It grew rapidly from the years 40 to 350 A.D. to encompass about 56% of the Roman empire. • Christianity is a belief in the Holy Trinity: God, the creator; Jesus, the son of God; Holy Spirit, the personal experience of the presence of God. • Christianity is the dominant religion in the U.S., although there is great diversity in forms of Christianity. docsity.com Judaism • The Jewish faith is more than 4000 years old. • Under Egyptian rule in ancient history, Jewish people endured centuries of slavery. • Led from Egypt by Moses in the thirteenth century B.C., Jewish people were liberated and celebrate this freedom in the annual ritual of Passover—one of the holiest holidays. • The Jews see themselves as “chosen people,” meant to recognize their duty to obey God’s laws as revealed in the Ten Commandments. docsity.com Islam • Followers of Islamic religion are called Muslims. • They believe that Islam is the word of God (Allah), revealed in the prophet of Muhammad, born in Mecca in the year 570 A.D. • The Koran is the holy book of Islam. • Many practicing Muslims in the United States are African Americans who observe the strict dietary habits and prohibitions against many activities, such as consuming pork, alcohol use, drug use, and gambling. docsity.com Hinduism • In this religion, god is not a specific entity. • Instead, people are called upon to see a moral force in the world and to live in a way that contributes to spiritual and moral development. • Karma is the principle in Hindu that sees all human action as having spiritual consequences leading to a higher state of spiritual consciousness, perhaps found in reincarnation docsity.com Hinduism • Hinduism is linked to the social system of India, because the caste system is seen as stemming from people’s commitment to Hindu principles. • Those who live the most ideal forms of life are seen as part of the higher caste, with the lower caste as spiritually bereft. • Gandhi, a great world leader, used Hindu principles to guide one of the most important independence movements in the world. docsity.com Religions Organizations • Churches -Formal organizations that see themselves, and are seen by society, as the primary and legitimate religious institutions. • Sects - Groups that have broken off from an established church, when a faction questions its legitimacy. • Cults - Religious groups devoted to a specific cause or a leader with charisma. docsity.com Religious Conversion: Social Drift Theory • People move into religious groups gradually, particularly if they have become disenchanted with their prior affiliations. • Conversion is linked to shifting patterns of association, not mind control. • People are active participants in the process of their own conversion, not passive creatures “programmed” with new ideas. docsity.com Religious Conversion: Phases 1. An experience that leads a potential convert to perceive disruption in their previous life, allowing them to be open to a serious change in the social environment. 2. An emotional bond is created between the initiate and one or more group members. 3. A period of intense interaction with the new group. docsity.com Quick Quiz docsity.com 1. The institutionalized system of symbols, beliefs, values, and practices by which a group of people interprets and responds to what they feel is sacred and that provides answers to questions of ultimate meanings is known as: a. Religion b. Totenism c. Judeo-prescription d. Proscription docsity.com Answer: a • The institutionalized system of symbols, beliefs, values, and practices by which a group of people interprets and responds to what they feel is sacred and that provides answers to questions of ultimate meanings is known as religion. docsity.com 3. To Marx, religion is a form of: a. spiritual oppression b. spiritual flaw c. collective consciousness d. false consciousness docsity.com Answer: d • To Marx, religion is a form of false consciousness. docsity.com 4. "Religion is an integrative force in society." This statement is most closely related to: a. conflict theory b. symbolic interaction c. evolutionary theory d. functionalism docsity.com