Religion: Chapter 14 page 464

1. Religion: Chapter 14page 464 Sociology Mrs. McVey

2. Religion: The Definition • A unified system of beliefs & practices concerned with sacred things • Sacred • Holy; set apart & given a special meaning that goes beyond, or transcends, immediate existence • Profane • Nonsacred

3. Religion in Society • All societies have spirituality • Religion provides a sense of belonging, part of a group • Code of conduct • Boundary questions: Why are we here? Where did we come from? What happens when we die? How are we to live our lives?

4. Religion Basics • Monotheistic v. Polytheistic • Western Religions (traditionally, clear focus on God) • Christianity • Islam • Judaism • Eastern Religions (traditionally, ethical codes) • Buddhism • Hinduism • Confucianism

5. Theoretical Perspective • Functionalism p. 468-469 contributions • Three functions of religion in society: • Social cohesion—unites people • Social control—conformity/rules to live by • Meaning & purpose—social clock • P. 470 Major World Religions Chart

6. Theoretical Perspectives • Conflict Theory • Inhibit (marx) or encourage (weber) social change • Beyond control of people? • Marx said religion suits those in power and they use religion to exploit the less fortunate • Which would make sense why the Soviet Union’s official policy was atheism

7. Theoretical Perspective • Conflict Theory Continued • Calvin • Protestant ethic: set of values, norms, beliefs, and attitudes stressing hard work, thrift, and self-discipline • Weber • Spirit of capitalism: the obligation to reinvest money in business rather than spend it

8. Theoretical Perspectives • Symbolic Interactionism • People create symbolic meanings from their religious beliefs, rituals, and ideas

9. Separation of church & State • Which of the following statements best describes why the framers of the U.S. Constitution supported the separation of church and state? • Maintain religious freedoms!!

10. Religious Organization • Church: life-encompassing religious organization to which all members of a society belong • Denomination: one of several organizations that most members of society accept as legitimate • Sect: religious organization that arises out of a desire to reform an existing religious organization • Cult: religious organization whose characteristics are not drawn from existing religious traditions within a society

11. Religiosity • Importance of religion in a person’s life • Ways in which people express their religious interests and convictions

12. Religiousity • Belief • What one thinks is true • Ritual • Expected practice • Intellectual Dimension • Knowledge of religion • Experience • Feelings attached to religious expression • Consequences • Decisions made based on religion (ex; pro-life, capital punishment)

13. Religion in the United States • Secularization: Sacred loses influence over society • Religious Preferences: 58% Protestant • Fundamentalism: resistance of secularization and the rigid adherence to traditional religious beliefs, rituals, and doctrines

14. The End

15. Turn in … • Your perspective chart (if you’ve turned it in already, you should have gotten it back to study) • Your religiosity graphic organizers