Download Religion – The Sociological Perspective

Religion – The Sociological Perspective
• How are patterns of religious belief and practice
related to social class, race, age, gender, and level of
education?
• How are religious institutions organized?
• How does religion influence social change?
• Is religion a source of oppression or liberation?
Religion
An 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 meaning
Religion is institutionalized
Feature of groups
Beliefs are considered sacred and social constructed
Establishes values, morals and norms for behavior
Provides answers to questions of ultimate meaning, which are
distinct from science
How Religious is the United States?
Extremely religious…
2/3s of Americans think religion can solve all or most of society’s
problems
In 1998, 82% of Americans believed in life after death
Religion forms the basis of many important institutions mainly
using the Judeo-Christian Heritage (Old & New Testament)
The dominance of Christianity is visible in the celebration of specific
holidays, such as Christmas
Religiosity
Intensity and consistency of practice of a person’s faith
• Monotheism – worship of one god, i.e. Islam, Christianity, Judaism
• Polytheism – worship of many gods, i.e. Hinduism
• Patriarchal – Male power/authority, centrality of male god; i.e.
Christianity, Islam
Exclusive/Inclusive Religious Groups
Exclusive – Easily identifiable religion and culture, members expected
to conform strictly to religious values and behavioral norms, i.e.
Jehovah’s witnesses, Mormons
Inclusive – More moderate and liberal religious orientation.
Ecumenical – stress interdenominational cooperation and the
importance of common religious work. Beliefs are weakly held
resulting in a diffuse religious community, i.e. United Methodist &
United Presbyterian churches
Sociological Theories and Religion
Durkheim
Religion is functional for society as it reinforces social bonds
Religious rituals (prayer, pilgrimage…) are symbolic behaviors that
freshen a group’s awareness of its unifying beliefs
Establishes a society’s collective consciousness, that give people a
sense of belonging
Weber
Famous work “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,”
which reconciled the austerity of Protestantism with the insatiable
desire for wealth in capitalist society
Argued those who worked harder in an attempt to accumulate
wealth were predestined for salvation; those who show the desire
to work are “the chosen”
The ideal for Protestants was also to make a lot of money, but not
spend on themselves – yet, through their hard work the growth and
expansion of capitalism would continue
Marx
Religion as a basis for conflict
Marx saw religion as a tool for class oppression that encouraged
passivity and acceptance (“opiate of the masses”)
Believed religion was an institution that preserved the status quo;
supports the ruling class and slows social change, i.e. the
justification of slavery through the education and salvation of
savages
Symbolic Interaction
Emphasizes the process by which people become religious
Religion is socially constructed and emerges with social and
historical change
Religious beliefs are socially constructed and subject to
interpretation by individuals; practices and rituals provide
definitions of group and individual identity
Global Religions
Christianity
Roman Catholics – Center of religious authority is Pope. RCs in the
US are generally more liberal than official church doctrine allows
such as on the issues of: contraceptives, homosexuality, ordaining
women and forbidding all types of abortions. Has created strains
between the Vatican and Catholics in the US
Protestants – Largest religious group in the United States; divided
between mainline Protestants (less diligent about religious
observance) and conservatives (extremely devout)
Judaism
40% of the world’s Jewish population is in the United States
Number of Jews is actually declining as a result of low birth rates among
Jewish people, and through the inter-marriage of Jews and other
religions (Jewish offspring are only considered Jewish if the mother is
Jewish)
Orthodox Judaism: Strict adherence to traditional rituals; biblical dietary
laws, traditional codes of dress/attire, strict observance of the Sabbath
Reform Judaism: More secular orientation, excused from strict
observance of traditional ritual, temple events held in English, not
Hebrew
Conservation Judaism: Falls between Orthodox and Reform
Islam
Practiced mainly in the Middle East, although Muslims are also found in
northern Africa, southeastern Asia and increasingly in N. America and Europe
Islam is the word of God (Allah) revealed in the prophet Muhammad, born in
Mecca 570A.D.; holy book is the Koran; Islamic faith incorporated some
Jewish and Christian traditions and expanded to include spiritual laws that
governed most aspects of life including politics
Strong divide between Shias (who believe only descendants of Muhammad
are true leaders of the religion after the death of Muhammad) and Sunnis
(who opposed political succession based on Mohammad’s bloodline)
Highly patriarchal where women are denied many of the same freedoms as
men, although this varies by region
Hinduism
Rejects the idea that there is a single, powerful God
Central belief of Hinduism is the concept of karma – the belief that
all human actions have a spiritual consequence
Historically linked to India’s caste system – those with higher levels
of spirituality are regarded to be part of the upper caste, while the
untouchables (lowest caste) are seen to be spiritually bereft
Scientology
• What are the origins of Scientology? (How did Scientology begin?)
• What is the organizational structure of the Church of Scientology? (Who runs da
show?)
• What is the appeal of Scientology? (How does the religion attract followers/why do
people stay?)
• How does the documentary explain the definition of religion? Should Scientology be
considered a religion or a cult? Explain. (Should Scientology have to pay taxes?)
• How does the Church of Scientology compare to other major religions (Judaism,
Christianity, Islam)? How is Scientology the same or different from other world
religions?
• Ye (Bippity Boppity)
Religious Organizations
• Churches: See themselves as the primary legitimate religious institution,
sometimes closely tied to the state. Organized as complex bureaucracies
(division of labor, hierarchy, roles…) and employ a professional full-time
clergy
• Sects: Broken off from established churches due to theological disputes
or disagreements, usually less bureaucratic and place greater emphasis
on purity of faith; i.e. Shakers – former Quakers who believe Christ will
return in the form of a woman; Amish – formerly Swiss Mennonites who
created their own group to enforce the practice of shunning
• Cults: Religious groups devoted to a specific cause or leaders with great
charisma. Leader is thought to have special powers; many cults arise
within established religions and some mainstream religions started as
cults (Scientology?)
Why do people join cults?
• Brainwashing Thesis – Innocent people are tricked into religious
conversion; cults exercise mind control that strips converts of their
earlier identities, robs them of free will, and “programs” their minds
with cult beliefs
• Social Drift Theory – People join cults gradually, usually after
experiencing personal strains or if they have become disconnected
with their prior affiliations
• What are the origins of Scientology? (How did
Scientology begin?)
• What is the organizational structure of the Church
of Scientology? (Who runs da show?)
• What is the appeal of Scientology? (How does the
religion attract followers/why do people stay?)
• How does the documentary explain the definition
of religion? Should Scientology be considered a
religion or a cult? Explain. (Should Scientology
have to pay taxes?)
• How does the Church of Scientology compare to
other major religions (Judaism, Christianity,
Islam)? How is Scientology the same or different
from other world religions?
• Ye (Bippity Boppity)
Max Weber believed that
modern society, having become
increasingly scientific, empirical
and rational, has lost its
religious spirituality. Do you
believe this is true and do you
feel the effects of this are
negative or positive for society?
Use sociological reasoning to
write your response (Does
religion do more harm than
good, or more good than harm
in society?)