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Religion
JENNIFER L. FACKLER, M.A.
Definitions & Background
Introduction
 Religion – the social institution involving beliefs and
practices based upon a conception of the sacred
 Emile Durkheim: religion focuses on things that surpass
the limits of our own knowledge

Profane – “outside the temple”; ordinary elements of everyday life


Ex: Anything NOT sacred such as your computer, chair, jeans, etc.
Sacred – that which is extraordinary, inspiring awe, reverence, &
even fear

Ex: Church, Holy Book, Religious Vessels, Cross, etc.
 Ritual – formal, ceremonial behavior
 Faith - belief anchored in conviction rather than
scientific evidence
 Sociology  interested in the consequences of religious
belief rather than a direct critique of the belief systems.
Types of Religious
Organizations
Religious Organizations
 Church – organization that is well integrated into
society

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State Church – formally allied with the state
Denomination – independent of the state and pluralistic
Ex: Protestant
 Sect – a type of religious organization that stands apart
from the larger society


Leaders sometimes have charisma – extraordinary personal qualities
that can turn an audience into followers.
Ex: Branch Davidians
 Cult – religious organizations that are substantially
outside a society’s cultural traditions

Ex: Satanists
Religion in History
History of Religion
 In preindustrial societies…
 Rituals practiced 40,000 years ago.
 Embraced “animism.”
 Elements of the natural world are conscious life forms that
affect humanity.
 No full-time religious leaders.
 In industrial societies…
 Science has often replaced religion as a source of explaining
“how” things happen.
 Science is silent when it comes to answering “why” we and the
rest of the universe exists.
 Often these two belief system are at odds with one another.
Religion in the US
Religious Commitment
 Religiosity - refers to importance of religion in a
person’s life
 Types:

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Experiential: Emotional Ties
Ritualistic: Frequency of Activities
Ideological: Degree of Belief in Doctrine
Consequential: Tie Into Daily Activities
Intellectual: Knowledge of Religion
Religiosity in Global
Perspective
Religion is stronger in the U.S.
than in many other nations.
Source: World Values Survey
(2006)
Religion: Class, Ethnicity & Race
 Social Class (Predictions?)

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High Achievement: Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and United Church
of Christ Congregations
Moderate Achievement: Methodists and Catholics
Lower Achievement: Baptists, Lutherans, and Sect Members
Jewish people tend to be represented among the higher achievers
due to stress on education and achievement.
Religiosity Among College Students
 Race and Ethnicity

Many religions are tied to specific regions and societies in America.

Examples: Irish Catholics, Anglo-Saxon Protestants, Greek Orthodox,
Russian Jews
Religious Membership across the United States
Religious Diversity across the United States
Religion in a Changing Society
Changes in Religion
 Changing Affiliation – membership in established,
mainstream churches has fallen but other religious
categories have increased in popularity

Has created an active and competitive marketplace of religious
organizations in the US.
 Secularization – historical decline in the
importance of the supernatural and the sacred


Religion isn’t going away, but rather some features are in
decline.
Hotly debated!
Measurement Issues
 Church Attendance vs. Fundamentalism

Changes in Religion
 Religious Revival
 New age spirituality flourishes while membership in
mainstream churches dwindles.
 Interests Increases in Fundamentalism – a conservative
religious dogma that opposes intellectualism and worldly
accommodation in favor of traditional otherworldly religion
 “New Age” Seekers: Spirituality, NOT Religion
 Some think we are becoming a “postdenominational society”
since people are increasingly seeking spiritual development
outside of established religious organizations.
 Characteristics of Seekers:
Believe in a higher power.
-Believe we’re all connected.
 Believe in as spirit world.
-Pursue transcendence.
 Want to experience the spirit world.

Fundamentalism
 Interprets sacred texts literally.
 Rejects religious pluralism.
 Tolerance and relativism water down personal faith.
 Pursues the personal experience of God’s presence.
 Personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
 Opposes “secular humanism.”
 Accommodation to the changing world undermines religious
conviction.
 We should look to God, not Science, for advice on how to live.
 Endorses conservative political goals.
Additional Topics
 Electronic Churches – there are a number of churches
that exist entirely in the virtual world; many “regular”
churches are also building an online presence
 Mega Churches – huge churches (such as Joel Osteen’s
Lakeview in Houston) are becoming more prevalent and
more popular
 Religious Violence – religion has a strong and
persistent link with violence because of its power to
motivate and inspire people; conflict based on religion is
particularly terrifying and destructive because it is often
framed as a “cosmic battle” between good and evil
Theoretical Analysis of Religion
S-F Analysis of Religion
 According to Durkheim religion has 3 major functions:

1. Social Cohesion – unites people through shared symbols,
values, and norms

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Totem – an object in the natural world collectively defined as sacred
2. Social Control – the use of religious symbols and language to
control human behavior has always been with us
3. Providing Meaning & Purpose – personal spirituality allows
humans to pass through tough times without total collapse
S-C Analysis of Religion
 Religion serves the ruling elites by legitimizing
the status quo and diverting people’s attention from
social inequities.

Focuses on the “better world to come.”  Marx called it the
“opiate of the masses.” (False Consciousness)
S-I Analysis of Religion
 Religion is socially constructed (although
perhaps with divine inspiration). Through rituals
like prayers, fasts, and observances we sharpen the
distinction between the sacred and the profane.
Theoretical Analysis of Religion
Religion: Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
 Religion has always been a part of society, but is
ever-changing and varies across time and place.
 There are many types of religions found throughout
the world today.
 Sociologists explain religion in a variety of ways.
 Questions?
Religions of the World
REVIEW ON YOUR OWN
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED.
Western Religions
Christianity
 2B Followers
 85% of Americans & Canadians
 Western Europe?
 Christianity began as a cult.
 It is monotheistic (one god).
 Jesus Christ is the central figure as both man on
earth and the son of God.
 Preaches personal salvation.
 Many splits from original form of Roman
Catholicism.
Global Map 19-1 (p. 507)
Christianity in Global Perspective
Source: Peters Atlas of the World (1990).
Sociology, Eleventh Edition
Islam
 1.2B Followers
 Not all Muslims are Arabs.
 The Middle-East, Asia, & parts of Africa are Islamic-centered.
 Islam is the word of God as revealed to the prophet
Muhammad, born in Mecca around 570.
 The Qur’an urges submission to God (Allah) as the path to
inner peace.
 Five pillars of Islam:
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Recognize Allah as the true god.
Ritual prayer.
Giving of alms to the poor.
Fasting during Ramadan.
Making the once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca.
 Religion and Violence?
Global Map 19-2 (p. 507)
Islam in Global Perspective
Source: Peters Atlas of the World (1990).
Sociology, Eleventh Edition
Judaism
 15M Followers
 National majority only in Israel.
 Jews believe that a covenant exists between God and
God’s chosen people (them).
 The Torah emphasizes moral behavior in the world.
 Denominations:

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Orthodox Jews are very traditional.
Reform Judaism is more church-like.
Conservative Judaism acts to bridge the first two belief systems.
 Anti-Semitism - prejudice and discrimination against
Jewish people
Eastern Religions
Hinduism
 The oldest of all world religions.
 More than 800M Followers
 Found mostly in India and Africa.
 No sacred writings like the Bible.
 Principles:
 Dharma refers to correct living.
 Karma refers to belief in spiritual progress through
reincarnation.
 Nirvana represents spiritual perfection and a release from the
cycle of rebirth .
Global Map 19-3 (p. 510)
Hinduism in Global Perspective
Source: Peters Atlas of the World (1990).
Sociology, Eleventh Edition
Buddhism
 350M Followers
 Almost all Asians.
 Resembles Hinduism in doctrine and Christianity
due to its ties to the life of one individual.

Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

Achieved “bodhi” or enlightenment, thus became the buddha.
 No “god of judgment,” but daily action has its
consequences.
Global Map 19-4 (p. 510)
Buddhism in Global Perspective
Source: Peters Atlas of the World (1990).
Sociology, Eleventh Edition
Confucianism
 100K Followers in North America
 Prior to the 1949 revolution, it was an ecclesia -- the
official religion of China.
 More a way of disciplined living than a religion.