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Religion and Society

Religion and Society. Religion can play several roles in society: a unifying role: religion gives society a sense of unity, cohesiveness a conservative role: religion encourages society to resist change a revolutionary role: religion encourages society to embrace change

georgette-demarion
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Religion and Society

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  1. Religion and Society • Religion can play several roles in society: • a unifying role: • religion gives society a sense of unity, cohesiveness • a conservative role: • religion encourages society to resist change • a revolutionary role: • religion encourages society to embrace change • a prophetic role: • religion serves as the conscience of society

  2. Religion and Society • Examples of the roles religion plays in society: • a unifying role: • Buddhist/Taoist society: we see a unity of belief and business (shrines in shops, e.g.), belief and architecture (feng shui) • a conservative role: • Islamic society: there is resistance to anything “western” • a revolutionary role: • Catholicism in Poland: it played a big role in ending communist rule • a prophetic role: • Christians in the U.K. (18th century): preachers spoke out against slavery, and the nation changed its policy

  3. Religion and Society • All religions have a “social dimension”: • Buddhism: • “I take refuge in the Buddha” (the ideal life) • “I take refuge in the Dharma” (teachings, doctrines) • “I take refuge in the Sangha” (the community of monks) • Islam: • the hadjto Mecca • salat 5 times per day facing Mecca • Judaism: • the weekly celebration of the Shabat • the annual celebration of Pesach (Passover)

  4. Religion and Society • Is it possible to be “religious” without being a member of a “community of faith”? • Can one be a Christian, e.g., and never go to church, never celebrate Christmas or Easter with others? • What are some of the advantages of being religious “on your own”? • What are some of the disadvantages?

  5. Religion and Society • The Christian and “Christian Society” • “Christianity is a religion of the most profound inwardness…the crowd corrupts it!” (Kierkegaard) • There is some ambivalence here. Consider: • the church did not exist in Jesus’ day, nor did he say much about it • there are only 3 accounts of Jesus inside a Jewish temple • as a boy, to argue with the rabbis and elders • at the beginning of his public life, to read a bit of Scripture (he left immediately after) • toward the end of his life, to throw out the “moneychangers” from the temple in Jerusalem • but also: the first Christians lived together in community • and communal worship was for them a daily ritual

  6. Religion and Society • Religion in American Society: • do you see religion playing a large or small role in American society? • what are some examples of religion influencing American society?

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