schaefer11 ppt ch15

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

SociologyEleventh Edition

Richard T. Schaefer

Chapter 15:

Religion

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.Slide 2

Religions

Durkheim and the Sociological Approach to Religion

World Religions Sociological Perspectives on Religion Components of Religion Religious Organization Case Study: Religion in India Social Policy and Religion: Religion in th

e Schools


Durkheim and the Sociological Approach to Religion

Durkheim viewed religion as a collective act that includes many forms of behavior in which people interact with others Religion: unified system of beliefs and

practices relative to sacred things (Durkheim)

Sacred: elements beyond everyday life that inspire awe, respect, and even fear

Profane: includes the ordinary and commonplace


World Religions

85% of world’s population adheres to some religion Christianity largest faith, Islam 2nd largest Judaism forms historical foundation for

Christianity and Islam Hinduism embraces number of gods

and reincarnation Buddhism developed as reaction against

Hinduism; uses meditation to overcome selfish cravings


Figure 15-1: Religions of the World

Source: J. Allen 2007:16–17.


Table 15-1: Major World Religions

Sources: Author based on Barrett et al. 2006; Swatos 1998.


The Integrative Function of Religion

Durkheim: religious bonds transcend personal and divisive forces in society Give meaning to life Bind people together in times of crisis Help integrate immigrants Strengthen social integration within specific

faiths and denominations Can be dysfunctional in some cases


Research in Action

15-7: Income and Education, Religiously Speaking Which faiths and denominations maintain

houses of worship in your hometown? Do their facilities differ in terms of their size

and constructions. Beside religions, what other group affiliations

might suggest a person’s income or educational level?


Religion and Social Support

Religion’s emphasis on divine and supernatural allows us to “do something” about calamities we face Faith-based community organizations

taken more responsibility in area of social assistance

Wilson singled out faith-based organizations in 40 communities as models of social reform


Religion and Social Change

The Weberian Thesis Protestant ethic: followers of Protestant

Reformation emphasized disciplined work ethic, this-worldly concerns, and a rational orientation for life

Liberation theology: church should be used in political efforts to eliminate poverty, discrimination, and other forms of injustice


Religion and Social Control: A Conflict View

Marx argued religion impeded social change People focus on other-worldly concerns Religion drugged masses into submission

Conflict theorists argue religion reinforces existing patterns of dominance and inequality


Religion and Social Control: A Conflict View

Feminist Perspective Women perform fundamental role in

religious socialization but subordinate role in religious governance


Table 15-2: Sociological Perspectives on Religion


Belief

Religious beliefs: statements to which members of a particular religion adhere Fundamentalism: rigid adherence to

fundamental religious doctrines Creationists: people who strongly adhere to

biblical explanation of creation Spirituality is not as strong in

industrialized nations as in developing nations


Ritual

Religious rituals: practices required or expected of members of a faith Usually honor the divine power(s) worshiped

by believers In U.S., rituals may be simpleHaji, pilgrimage to Grand Mosque in Mecca,

Saudi Arabia, important ritual for Muslims Participation in religious rituals has held

steady or declined in most countries


Experience

Religious experience: feeling or perception of being in direct contact with ultimate reality or of being overcome with religious emotion In 2005, 43% of people in U.S. claim they

had a born-again Christian experience at some time in their lives


Figure 15-2: Religious Participation in Selected Countries, 1981 and 2001

Note: World Values survey data for 2001.

Source: Norris and Inglehart 2004:74.


Ecclesiae

Ecclesiae: religious organization claiming to include most or all of the members of a society Recognized as national or official religion Generally conservative and do not challenge

leaders of secular government


Denominations

Denomination: large, organized religion not officially linked with the state or government Claim large segments of population

as members Make few demands on members Many denominations in U.S.

Roman Catholicism largest but at least 24 other Christian faiths have 1 million or more members


Sects

Sect: relatively small religious group that broke away from some other religious organization to renew the original vision of the faith Sects fundamentally at odds with society

and do not seek to become established national religions

Established sect: religious group that is outgrowth of a sect, yet remains isolated from society


Research in Action

Islam in the United States Is there a mosque in your community or a

Muslim congregation on your campus? Are the members primarily Sunni or Shia?

Should communities be allowed to block the construction of mosques or dictate their appearance?

Would your answer be the same if your community tried to block the construction of a church or temple?


New Religious Movements or Cults

New religious movement (NRM): also known as a cult; small secretive religious groups that represent either a new religion or a major innovation of an existing faith Similar to sects Tend to be small Viewed as less respectable than more

established faiths


Comparing Forms of Religious Organization

Ecclesiae, denominations, sects, and new religious movements have different relationships to society Not mutually exclusive

Electronic communication led to the electronic church


Table 15-3: Characteristics of Ecclesiae, Denominations, Sects, and New Religious Movements

Source: Adapted from Vernon 1962; see also Chalfant et al. 1994.


Research in Action

15-3: The Church of Scientology: Religion or Quasi-Religion? What do you think of the practice of

measuring a person’s mental state with an electropsychometer?

If you were considering becoming a Scientologist, what questions would you ask your auditor about this device?

Do you agree that Scientology should be considered a religion?


Case Study: Religion in India

The Religious Tapestry in India Hinduism and Islam most important religions Hinduism does not restrict biotechnology Sikh faith originated in 15th century

2% of population but 25% of army Jainism faith teaches each person is

responsible for spiritual well-being Though small, Jains exert influence through

business dealings and charitable contributions


Case Study: Religion in India

Religion and the State in India Religion influential in drive to overturn

British colonialism Gandhi convinced Muslims and Hindus to work

together to gain independence After independence, territory was partitioned

into Pakistan for Muslims and India for Hindus India secular state

Conflict between Muslims and Hindus Many see religion as moving force in

Indian society


Religion in the Schools

The Issue Should public schools be allowed to sponsor

organized prayers or other expressions of religion in the classroom?

Some want strict separation of church and state

Creationists want their view taught as alternative the theory of evolution

Who has the right to decide these issues?



The Setting Issues go to the heart of First Amendment’s

provisions on religious freedom In 1962, Supreme Court ruled against

nondenominational prayer in school In 1987, Court ruled states could not compel

teaching of creationism in public schools In 2005, Pennsylvania court found intelligent

design was a religious belief Intelligent design: life is so complex it could

only have been created by intelligence



Sociological Insights Supporters of school prayer and of

creationism feel strict rulings forced too great a separation

Use of nondenominational prayer cannot lead to the establishment of an ecclesia in U.S.

Opponents argue religious majority in a community might impose religious viewpoints at expense of religious minorities



Policy Initiatives In 2003, President Bush declared schools

that prevent constitutional school prayer could lose government funding

Federal courts continue hard line on separation of state and religion

Activism of religious fundamentalists in the public school system raises a question: Whose ideas and values deserve a hearing in classrooms?

schaefer11 ppt ch15

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