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CULTURE BASICS Religion

CULTURE BASICS Religion. AP HG Mr. Hensley. Sociological Definition. Religion is a social creation Religion is a system (or complex) of roles and norms organized around the sacred (supernatural) Religion binds people together in social groups. Universal yet unique.

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CULTURE BASICS Religion

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  1. CULTURE BASICSReligion AP HG Mr. Hensley

  2. Sociological Definition • Religion is a social creation • Religion is a system (or complex) of roles and norms organized around the sacred (supernatural) • Religion binds people together in social groups

  3. Universal yet unique • Religion is universal to all human cultures • Each culture has at least one unique religion • Norms vary a LOT across cultures • Ex: Hindus revere the cow; Christians eat them

  4. Analyzing religious norms • When do dietary restrictions make sense? • How long does meat or dairy keep in a hot climate? • Single-use versus long-term uses?

  5. Functions: Social Cohesion • Cohesion means helping to hold together • Functionalist: religion increases group cohesion • Conflict: different religions in groups create major problems

  6. Functions: Emotional Support • Religion helps comfort those in need; it provides answers to difficult questions • Conflict perspective: religion encourages people to accept current injustices and wait for payback in the afterlife

  7. Functions: Social Control • Religion makes the secular social order a divine commandment • Religious rules provide standards of judgment • Codes of law grow out of religious commandments • Conflict: may stop growth

  8. Rituals and Symbols • All religions have established patterns of behavior (rituals) • All religions have symbols • Ex: Symbol = cross • Ex: Ritual = baptism

  9. Organizational Structures • Faiths refer to top-level hierarchies in religion – everyone shares basic expectations • Denominations are large, well-established – have trained officials • Sects are smaller groups that break away from larger denominations • Cults are new, small groups with beliefs in direct conflict with denominations

  10. Basic types: animism • Animism – the belief that spirits actively influence human life • Often, the spirits communicate through a special person called a shaman • Ancestors are represented by totems

  11. Basic types: Theism • Theism is the belief in a god or gods • Belief in one god is monotheism • Belief in many gods is polytheism • Big 3: Christianity, Islam and Judaism have the same god

  12. American Religious Affiliation

  13. World Religious Affiliation

  14. Religion and Health • Religion has proven positive health outcomes (longer life, less stress) • Better coping skills, less suicide • Need to stress – these results hold true for any form of spirituality, not just organized religions

  15. Evolution of Religion? • Two primary theories • We have religion because it helps group cohesion and strong groups survived while weak(er) groups perished • Or…we have religion because it is the accidental consequence of human intelligence (narrative ability plus sense of self plus sense of time equals religion…)

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