Download Religion in American Society - coachclendenin


Humans have searched for answers to two
basic questions:
1.
2.

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Why do we live?
Why do we die?
All societies have struggled with giving
meaning to human existence and to provide
people with motivation for survival
Sacred: anything considered to be part of the
supernatural world and that inspires awe,
respect, and reverence
Profane: anything considered to be part of
the ordinary world and thus commonplace
and familiar
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The distinct between the sacred and the
profane is at the heart of all religions

Religion: a system of roles and norms that is
organized around the sacred realm and that
binds people together in social groups
 Universal phenomenon
 Form may vary from society to society
 Exists in different forms because societies give
sacred meaning to a wide variety of objects,
events, and experiences

Religion is a social creation- things only take
on a sacred meaning when they are socially
defined as such by a group of believers

Things may be sacred in one society and profane in
another
 Ex: the Cow in Hinduism
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Religion focuses on the supernatural world and
belief in a particular religion is based on faith
rather than on science
Sociologist concerns: the function of religion,
not the truth or the falseness

Social Cohesion:
Strengthening of bonds among people
 Sharing beliefs provide a sense of belonging,
makes us feel less alone in the world
 Conflict theorists: social cohesion based on
religion may cause social problems where more
than one religion is practiced

 Muslims and Hindus
 Muslims, Jews, and Christians

Social Control: encouraging conformity to the
norms of society
Belief in sacred writings like the Bible, Torah and
Qur’an give divine purpose to social conformity
 Maintain the traditional social order by presenting
this order as one commanded by a supreme being
 Formalized to rid themselves of guilt of straying from
societies acceptable norms and values

 Confessions and communion

Provide a standard by which individuals may judge
themselves and be judged by other people

Emotional Support: provide support through
difficult times
Helps people endure disappointment and suffering
by providing a comfort in believing that harsh
circumstances have a special purpose; motivate to
survive even when happiness seems out of reach
 Provide answers to the ultimate questions
concerning life and death, answers that cannot be
provided by science or common sense
 Conflict theorists: emotional support lent by religion
may block social and political change

 Accept their lives because rewards await them in the
spiritual life, repay them for pain on Earth

Rituals and Symbols:

Ritual: established pattern of behavior through
which a group of believers experiences the
sacred
 Mark change in status- birth, death, marriage,
baptisms
 Used to unite believers and reinforce faith: prayer
meetings, worship services and religious feasts
 Asking for divine intervention or give thanks

Symbols: rituals include sacred symbols such as
clothing, herbs, chalices, crosses, books

Belief Systems: animism, theism, and
ethicalism

Animism: belief that spirits actively influence
human life; animals, plants, rivers, mountains,
and even the wind are believed to contain
spirits; supernatural forces
 Shamanism: spirits communicate with one person
in the group
 Totemism: belief in kinship between humans and
animals or natural objects; animal or objected is
considered sacred, called a totem, thought to
represent a family or clan and their ancestors

Theism: belief in a god or gods; the god is
considered a divine power worthy of worship
 Monotheism: belief in one god
 Polytheism: belief in more than one god

Ethicalism: based on the idea that moral
principles have a sacred quality
 Based on set of truths, principles and tolerance
that serve as a guide to living a righteous life
 Meditation and purity of thought and action

Organizational Structure: ecclesia,
denominations, sects, and cults

Ecclesia: people in the society are members by
virtue of their birth
 State church and aligned with the government
 Fundamental Islam

Denomination: substantial number of population are
members
 Baptist and Presbyterian

Sect: small religious organization that typically split
off from a denomination because of differences
concerning beliefs
 Jehovah Witnesses and Hassidic Jews
 Cult: new religion whose beliefs and practices differ
markedly from those of society's major religions
Three Features:
 Haven for religious freedom
 Majority of Americans hold it in high regard
 Separation of church and state
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Religious Affiliation:
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90% believe in God, only 66% are affiliate with
some religious organization
Three major faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and
Islam
Religious Participation:

34% attend religious services on a regular basis
 Women, African-Americans, and older citizens
more likely to attend

Religiosity: depth of people’s religious
feelings and how they translate these
feelings into behavior

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People attend religious services for different
reason
Only ½ of Americans considered themselves
religious
Secular: many Americans are becoming
secular, religion is losing its influence in
everyday life

Fundamentalist Christianity: evangelical
Christian groups on the rise



Believe in the complete accuracy of the Bible
and interpret the Scripture literally; beliefs as one
true religion
“born again”: personal salvation through
conversion
Commitment to bringing the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to all nonbelievers

Fundamentalists Christians have organized to
exert political influence

Donate money to political causes, attend political
meetings, and campaign for politicians who share
their beliefs
 Opposition to abortion, homosexuality, gun control, and
sexual permissiveness, and support prayer in school
 Traditional family values

Urged fundamentalist to adopt “strategy of
separation”: break away from mainstream to follow
a Christian lifestyle
 Selective separatists: remain part of mainstream by
voting, working regular jobs, and paying taxes; home
school their children, avoid all elements of popular
culture, TV, music and movies; rejection notion of
material possessions are necessary for a happy life