Download Social Institution - Sociological Imagination - Lecture Slides and more Slides Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! CHAPTER 15: RELIGION docsity.com WHAT IS RELIGION? • Religion—a social institution that involves shared beliefs, values, and practices based on the supernatural which unites believers into a community 1 docsity.com TYPES OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION • Cult—a religious group that is devoted to beliefs and practices which are outside of mainstream culture and society, new religious movement • Sect—a religious group that has broken off from an established religion to form its own 2 docsity.com Types of Religious Organization • Denomination—subgroup within a religion that has a common name, tradition, and identity • Church—a large body of people belonging to an established religious group that has strong times to the larger society 2 docsity.com Application • Identify the type of religious organization: – Baptists have a common tradition and identity and are a subgroup of Christianity. – Heaven's Gate was a small religious group in California organized by a charismatic leader. – The Amish broke away from an established religion to form their own. docsity.com Discussion Why is the number of people who attend church so much smaller than the number of people who believe in God? 4 docsity.com • Religious participation is influenced by: – Sex—Women tend to be more religious. – Age—Older Americans are more likely to be religious. – Race/ethnicity—Whites are the least likely to be affiliated with a church. – Social class—As income increases, the importance of religion decreases. 4 Religion in the United States docsity.com SECULARIZATION: IS RELIGION DECLINING? • Secularization—the process of removing institutions from the dominance or influence of religion • There is evidence of greater secularization as well as fundamentalism—the belief in the literal meaning of the text. 5 docsity.com SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON RELIGION • Functionalism considers the benefits of religion. – Belonging and identity – Meaning, purpose, and emotional comfort – Social service – Social control – Social change 6 docsity.com Discussion • How does religion maintain the status quo? • How can religion be used as an agent of social change? 6 docsity.com Sociological Perspectives on Religion • Conflict theories argue that religion promotes social inequality. – Marx view religion as a form of false consciousness, an acceptance of a system that prevents people from protesting oppression. – Religion often promotes strife through the differentiation of "we" and "them." – Religion can promote prejudice and discrimination. 6 docsity.com • Symbolic interactionists study the ways in which religion provides meaning in everyday life. • Religion is a social product that is taught through symbols, rituals, and beliefs. 6 Sociological Perspectives on Religion docsity.com • Symbol—something that stands for something else • Ritual—formal and repeated behavior • Belief—convictions about what people think is true 6 Sociological Perspectives on Religion docsity.com
