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Exploring Religion: Theories, Functions, and Perspectives

Delve into major theories of religion, from functionalism to conflict perspective. Discover the world's major religions and types of religious groups, including cults, sects, and churches. Uncover the role of religion in the U.S., examining membership trends and social associations.

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Exploring Religion: Theories, Functions, and Perspectives

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  1. Ch. 18- Religion • Three elements of religion, as defined by Durkheim • Beliefs that some things are sacred • Practices, rituals that center around sacred things • A moral community (church) resulting from a group’s beliefs and practices

  2. Major theories of religion • Functional theory • Religion is universal b/c it meets basic needs • Functions of religion • Answers questions about ultimate meaning and afterlife • Emotional comfort • Social solidarity

  3. Provides guidelines for everyday life • Social control- norms and criminal law • Adaptation • Support for gov’t • Supports social change • Dysfunctions of religion • War and terrorism can be based on religion • Justification for persecution

  4. Symbolic interactionist perspective • Meaning that people give experiences and use of symbols • Religious symblos • Rituals • Beliefs- values, cosmology • Religious experience- born again • Community- bond w/ one another

  5. Conflict perspective • Religion supports the status quo and maintains social inequalities • Opium of the people • Reflection of social inequalities • Legitimation of social inequalities

  6. World’s major religions • Judaism • Christianity • Islam • Hinduism • Buddhism • Confucianism

  7. Types of religious groups • Cults • New religion w/ few followers • Teachings/practices put it at odds w/ the dominant culture • All religions began as cults • Start w/ a charismatic leader • Requires tight membership of followers

  8. Provides sense of belonging • Represent a break from the past, challenge the social order • Sect • Second step towards becoming popular religion • Larger than cult, but still not in sync w/ mainstream society • Emphasize personal salvation, evangelism

  9. Church • Formal religion, bureaucratized group • Written prayers, formal sermons • Ecclesia • State religion, gov’t sponsored

  10. Religion in the U.S. • 70% belong to church/synagogue • Membership varies by location • Church-like groups associated w/ higher incomes- Episcopalians, Jews • Sect-like groups associated w/ lower incomes- Baptists, Evangelicals • Race/ethnicity segregation • Church membership increases w/ age • 94% report believe in God, 43% attend weekly

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