Chapter 14
RELIGION
Made By:
Nicole Borden
Nicole Marino
Quinn Johnson
Maggie Isaac
Ashley Rasmousen
Mr. Schumacher /Period 3
Religion and Sociology
Section 1
• Emile Durkheim (the first sociologist
to examine religion scientifically)
defines religion as a unified system of
beliefs and practices concerned with
sacred things
• Sacred- holy; set apart and given a special meaning that
goes beyond, or transcends, immediate existence
• Profane- nonsacred
• To study religion sociologists have to keep their faith personal and
focus on the social aspects of religion that can be measured and
observed.
• Some questions that they might ask themselves and you can think
about yourself are:
 How can we find evidence for something that can’t be seen?
 How can we remain objective about such a value-laden subject,
especially when we have our own beliefs?
 Is science really the proper tool to evaluate religion?
Theoretical Perspectives
Section 2
Functionalism and Religion
• Religion is an important part of
almost all societies. This is shown by
religious artifacts customs and taboos
that have been left behind tracing
back to 50,000 B.C.
• Religion has several functions. It
legitimates the structure of society,
promotes social unity, and provides a
sense of meaning and belonging.
• In his book, The Elementary Forms of
Religious Life (1915), Durkheim says
that the essential function of religion
was to provide through sacred
symbols a mirror for members of
society to see themselves.
Sociologists identify the following social functions of religion
 Religion gives formal approval to existing social arrangements.
 Religion encourages a sense of unity.
 Religion provides a sense of understanding.
 Religion promotes a sense of belonging.
Legitimate- to justify or give official approval to
Conflict Theory and Religion
• Conflict theory focuses on how religion works to either inhibit
or encourage social change.
• Sprit of Capitalism- the obligation to reinvest money in
business rather than to spend it.
• Protestant Ethic- a set of values, norms, beliefs, and attitudes
stressing hard work, thrift, and self discipline.
Symbolic Interactionism and Religion
•People create symbolic meanings from their religious beliefs, rituals, and
ideals.
•People use their socially created symbolic meanings to guide everyday
social interactions.
•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxBRZCr6vhg&feature=related
Religious Organization and Religiosity
Section 3
Religious Organization
•Early scholars have identified four basic types of religious organizations:
•Church
•Denomination
•Sect
•Cult
•
Church- a life-encompassing religious organization to which all
members of a society belong
•
Denomination- one of several religious organizations that most
members of a society accept as legitimate
•
Sect- a religious organization that arises out of desire to reform an
existing religious organization
•
Cult- a religious organization whose characteristics are not drawn from
existing religious traditions within a society
Religiosity
•
Religiosity- ways in which people express their religious interests and
convicts
•
There are five dimensions of religiosity. They are:
•
Beliefs
•
Rituals
•
Intellectual Dimension
•
Experience
•
Consequences
Religion in the United States
Section 4
The Development of Religion in America
•Secularism- a process through which the sacred loses influence over
society.
•Some people believe that secularism is destroying Religion in the
United States.
•Americans claiming that Religion was important in their lives fell from
75% in 1952 to 57% in 2005.
•On the other hand, some research has found that many Americans are
still very committed to their Religions.
• There are over three hundred denominations and sects in the United
States, the denominations that make up a majority of the United States:
– Protestant- 50%
– Baptism- 16%
– Methodist- 8%
– Lutheran- 5%
• Fundamentalism- The resistence of secularization and the rigid adherence
to traditional religious beliefs, rituals, and doctrines.
– Believe in literal truth of Scriptures
– Involves “being born again” through acceptance of Jesus.
• Religious organizations that share in much of the
fundamentalist theology have unique beliefs and practices.
– Example: neo- Pentacostalism which has occurred for the most part
within traditional religious organizations.
•
•
Several reasons for the growth of
fundamentalism have been
proposed:
– Many Americans feel their world
is out of control.
– Churches emphasize warmth and
love to people who are
experiencing the weakening of
family and community ties.
– Churches offer what they
consider a more purely sacred
environment.
– The electronic church
contributes to the growth of
religious fundamentalism.
Politics and Religion:
– Jewish faith is aligned with
democratic party, followed by
Catholics and protestants.
– Episcopalians and Presbyterians
are found to be republican.
Who did what?
Putting together power point: Quin
Quiz and power point: Nicole and Nicole
Activity: Maggie and Ashley