Chapter 10 Religion

Chapter 11:Chapter 11:RELIGIONRELIGION

Chapter 11Chapter 11

• ReligionReligion includes any institutionalized includes any institutionalized system of shared beliefs and rituals that system of shared beliefs and rituals that identify a relationship between the sacred identify a relationship between the sacred and profane. and profane.

• Sociologists do not evaluate the truth of any Sociologists do not evaluate the truth of any system of beliefs; they study the ways that system of beliefs; they study the ways that religions shape and are shaped by cultural religions shape and are shaped by cultural institutions and processes, as well as the institutions and processes, as well as the ways that religious influence and are ways that religious influence and are influenced by the behavior of individuals. influenced by the behavior of individuals.

The Real WorldCopyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

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In 1912, Emile Durkheim published an influential book, In 1912, Emile Durkheim published an influential book, The The Elementary Forms of the Religious LifeElementary Forms of the Religious Life. In it, he tried to . In it, he tried to identify the elements common to all religions around the identify the elements common to all religions around the world. world.

He found that religions develop a community around their He found that religions develop a community around their practices and beliefs. practices and beliefs.

Also, all religions separate between the Also, all religions separate between the sacredsacred (holy, divine, (holy, divine, or supernatural) and the or supernatural) and the profaneprofane (ordinary, mundane, or (ordinary, mundane, or everyday).everyday).

• Durkheim summarized his conclusions by saying: “Durkheim summarized his conclusions by saying: “A religion A religion is a unified system of believes and practices relative to sacred is a unified system of believes and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden – beliefs things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden – beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to themcalled a Church, all those who adhere to them.”.”

• A religion, then, has 3 major elements: A religion, then, has 3 major elements: – BeliefsBeliefs (propositions and ideas held on the basis of (propositions and ideas held on the basis of

faith)faith)– RitualsRituals or practices (practices based on those beliefs) or practices (practices based on those beliefs) – A Moral Community A Moral Community or a church (resulting from a or a church (resulting from a

group’s beliefs and practicesgroup’s beliefs and practices• By church, Durkheim meant a group of people united by By church, Durkheim meant a group of people united by

their religious practices…not a building where people their religious practices…not a building where people worship.worship.

• Another key aspect of many religions is faith. Another key aspect of many religions is faith. FaithFaith is is unquestioning belief that does not require proof or scientific unquestioning belief that does not require proof or scientific evidence. evidence.

• Simple supernaturalismSimple supernaturalism - the belief that - the belief that supernatural forces affect people's lives supernatural forces affect people's lives positively or negatively.positively or negatively.

• AnimismAnimism - the belief that plants, animals, - the belief that plants, animals, and elements of the natural world are and elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits that impact events in endowed with spirits that impact events in society.society.

• TheismTheism - belief in a God or Gods. - belief in a God or Gods.– MonotheismMonotheism – belief in one god – belief in one god– PolytheismPolytheism – belief in many gods – belief in many gods

• Transcendent idealismTranscendent idealism - belief in sacred - belief in sacred principles of thought and conduct, such as principles of thought and conduct, such as truth, justice, life and tolerance for others.truth, justice, life and tolerance for others.

• Those who study religion recognize that there are Those who study religion recognize that there are different types of religious groups: different types of religious groups: Cults, Sects, Cults, Sects, Churches, and EcclesiaChurches, and Ecclesia. . – CultsCults – a new religion with few followers, whose – a new religion with few followers, whose

teachings and practices put it at odds with the teachings and practices put it at odds with the dominant culture and religion.dominant culture and religion.• Cults often originate with a charismatic leader, Cults often originate with a charismatic leader,

an individual who inspires people because he or an individual who inspires people because he or she seems to have extraordinary qualities. she seems to have extraordinary qualities.

• Most religions begin as a cult – even Christianity Most religions begin as a cult – even Christianity (Jesus was the “charismatic leader”)(Jesus was the “charismatic leader”)


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– SectsSects – a religious group larger than a cult that – a religious group larger than a cult that still feels substantial hostility from and toward still feels substantial hostility from and toward society. society.

– ChurchChurch – a religious group that has gown to the – a religious group that has gown to the point it is highly bureaucratized – probably with point it is highly bureaucratized – probably with national and international headquarters that give national and international headquarters that give direction to local congregations, enforce rules direction to local congregations, enforce rules about who can be ordained, and control finances. about who can be ordained, and control finances.

– EcclesiaEcclesia – a religious group so integrated into – a religious group so integrated into the dominant culture that it is difficult to tell where the dominant culture that it is difficult to tell where the one begins and the other leaves off; also the one begins and the other leaves off; also called a called a state religionstate religion. .

• Variations in PatternsVariations in Patterns– Obviously, not all religious groups go through all of Obviously, not all religious groups go through all of

these stages – from cult to sect to church to ecclesia. these stages – from cult to sect to church to ecclesia. Some die out because they fail to attract enough Some die out because they fail to attract enough members. Others, such as the Amish, remain sects. members. Others, such as the Amish, remain sects. And, as is evident from the few countries that have state And, as is evident from the few countries that have state religions, very few religions ever become ecclesias.religions, very few religions ever become ecclesias.

– Although all religions began as cults, not all varieties of Although all religions began as cults, not all varieties of a particular religion began that way. For example, some a particular religion began that way. For example, some denominations begin as splinter groups. Denominations denominations begin as splinter groups. Denominations are “brand names” within a major religion, for example, are “brand names” within a major religion, for example, Baptist or Methodist for Christianity or Shia or Sunni for Baptist or Methodist for Christianity or Shia or Sunni for IslamIslam. .

• FunctionalistsFunctionalists argue there are argue there are Functions Functions and and Dysfunctions Dysfunctions to Religion. to Religion.

• Functions:Functions:– Religion shapes everyday behavior by providing morals, Religion shapes everyday behavior by providing morals,

values, rules, and norms for its participants. values, rules, and norms for its participants. – Religion also helps give meaning to our lives and provides Religion also helps give meaning to our lives and provides

the opportunity to come together with others to share in the opportunity to come together with others to share in group activities and identity; thus giving us a sense of group activities and identity; thus giving us a sense of belonging. belonging.

– Religion can provide social control and support for the Religion can provide social control and support for the government.government.

– Religious organizations have also been agents of social Religious organizations have also been agents of social justice and political change.justice and political change.

• Dysfunctions:Dysfunctions:– Religion can promote inequality with sexist, Religion can promote inequality with sexist,

racist, and homophobic doctrines. racist, and homophobic doctrines. – Religion has been used as a mode of Religion has been used as a mode of

conflict and war (i.e. – the Crusades)conflict and war (i.e. – the Crusades)• The dysfunctions of religion are the basis for The dysfunctions of religion are the basis for

the conflict perspective. the conflict perspective.


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• Classical Conflict Theory:Classical Conflict Theory:– According to According to Karl MarxKarl Marx, religion is the "opiate , religion is the "opiate

of the people.“ Basically, he said religion was of the people.“ Basically, he said religion was like a drug that governments could use to like a drug that governments could use to control their populations. For example: if the control their populations. For example: if the king was “ordained by God,” then disobeying king was “ordained by God,” then disobeying the kings laws would not only mean breaking the kings laws would not only mean breaking man’s law, but it would be a sin as well. man’s law, but it would be a sin as well.

– Max Weber Max Weber argued that religion could be a argued that religion could be a catalyst to produce social change.catalyst to produce social change.

• Contemporary conflict theorists have noted that the Contemporary conflict theorists have noted that the three major monotheistic religions (Judaism, three major monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) are quite sexist. Christianity, and Islam) are quite sexist. – Orthodox Judaism mandates that men and women Orthodox Judaism mandates that men and women

in worship in worship – Catholicism and some Protestant denominations Catholicism and some Protestant denominations

prohibit women from becoming priests or pastors.prohibit women from becoming priests or pastors.• There are very few non-sexist religions. Those that There are very few non-sexist religions. Those that

are strongly nonsexist are usually marginalized.are strongly nonsexist are usually marginalized.• Some religions also have antihomosexual or racist Some religions also have antihomosexual or racist

doctrines. See pg. 308 for examples. doctrines. See pg. 308 for examples.

• Conflict theorists point out that religious Conflict theorists point out that religious organizations have been the ages of social justice organizations have been the ages of social justice and political change. For example, religion has and political change. For example, religion has been closely linked to the movements for African been closely linked to the movements for African American rights.American rights.– The movement for the abolition of slavery and The movement for the abolition of slavery and

the Civil Rights movement in the 20the Civil Rights movement in the 20 thth century century both had protestant religious connections. both had protestant religious connections.

• Basically, from a conflict perspective, religion is Basically, from a conflict perspective, religion is complex: it can subjugate and oppress at the complex: it can subjugate and oppress at the same time it can liberate. same time it can liberate.

• Symbolic InteractionalistSymbolic Interactionalist– Religion provides a variety of statuses, roles, Religion provides a variety of statuses, roles,

and role expectations for each individual; and role expectations for each individual; essentially dictating how people should essentially dictating how people should interact. interact.

– Religion serves as a Religion serves as a reference group reference group to help to help people define themselves. people define themselves.

• How religious is the American public? It How religious is the American public? It really depends on how you measure this.really depends on how you measure this.

• Sociologists usually define Sociologists usually define religiosityreligiosity as as the consistent and regular practice of the consistent and regular practice of religious beliefs. religious beliefs. – They gauge religiosity in terms of They gauge religiosity in terms of

frequency of attendance at worship frequency of attendance at worship services and the importance of religious services and the importance of religious beliefs to an individual. beliefs to an individual.


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• There are two ways of looking at There are two ways of looking at religiosity: religiosity: – Extrinsic religiosityExtrinsic religiosity refers to a refers to a

person’s public display of commitment person’s public display of commitment to a religious faith.to a religious faith.

– Intrinsic religiosityIntrinsic religiosity refers to a person’s refers to a person’s inner religious life or personal inner religious life or personal relationship to the divine.relationship to the divine.


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• When When religiosityreligiosity (the regular practice of religious (the regular practice of religious beliefs) is measured by church attendance, 38% of beliefs) is measured by church attendance, 38% of Americans report attending services weekly. Americans report attending services weekly.

• However, when it is measured another way; 60% off However, when it is measured another way; 60% off Americans say religion is very important to them. Americans say religion is very important to them.

• This number is somewhat misleading, however, because This number is somewhat misleading, however, because there are big differences in religious participation across there are big differences in religious participation across demographic groups. Gender, age, geographic region, demographic groups. Gender, age, geographic region, political party, and religious affiliation are all variables political party, and religious affiliation are all variables that influence attendance. that influence attendance.

• The next few slides will give you an overall picture of The next few slides will give you an overall picture of religion in the United States.religion in the United States.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 30

• In recent decades the number of Americans who identify In recent decades the number of Americans who identify themselves as themselves as fundamentalistfundamentalist (the practice of emphasizing (the practice of emphasizing literal interpretation of texts and a “return” to a time of greater literal interpretation of texts and a “return” to a time of greater religious purity).religious purity).

• Fundamentalism is on the rise both worldwide and in the Fundamentalism is on the rise both worldwide and in the United States. Fundamentalist approaches gained popularity United States. Fundamentalist approaches gained popularity in response to the complex social changes of the 1960s and in response to the complex social changes of the 1960s and 1970s in the United States and around the world. 1970s in the United States and around the world.

• Between 1990 and 2001, the number of Americans who Between 1990 and 2001, the number of Americans who identified themselves as “Fundamentalist Christians” tripled, identified themselves as “Fundamentalist Christians” tripled, and the number describing themselves as “Evangelical and the number describing themselves as “Evangelical Christians” (a variant of fundamentalism) more than Christians” (a variant of fundamentalism) more than quadrupled.quadrupled.

• The evangelical approach describes conservative Christians The evangelical approach describes conservative Christians who emphasize converting others to their faith. who emphasize converting others to their faith.

• Unchurched Spirituality: Unchurched Spirituality: UnchurchedUnchurched is a term describing is a term describing those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious and those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious and who often adopt aspects of various religious traditions. who often adopt aspects of various religious traditions.

• This group has dramatically increased. About 14% of This group has dramatically increased. About 14% of American claim no religious affiliation. However, having no American claim no religious affiliation. However, having no religious affiliation does not mean they are “un-believers.” In religious affiliation does not mean they are “un-believers.” In fact, less than 1% describe themselves as atheists. fact, less than 1% describe themselves as atheists.

• This trend usually involves new definitions of belief and This trend usually involves new definitions of belief and practice. As noted by conflict theorists, some organized practice. As noted by conflict theorists, some organized religions still include elements of sexism, racial prejudice, religions still include elements of sexism, racial prejudice, homophobia, anit-Semitism, and conformity. These elements homophobia, anit-Semitism, and conformity. These elements drive people away from religion.drive people away from religion.

• However, this new approach is usually frowned upon by many However, this new approach is usually frowned upon by many religious organizations. religious organizations.

• The The separation of church separation of church as state is a time-as state is a time-honored (and controversial) American principle, honored (and controversial) American principle, established by the founders to preserve freedom of established by the founders to preserve freedom of religion. religion.

• As important as this principle is, we have not always As important as this principle is, we have not always been able to maintain this practice; consider the been able to maintain this practice; consider the following examples:following examples:– ““In God We Trust” on our dollar billsIn God We Trust” on our dollar bills– The Ten Commandments in Alabama public The Ten Commandments in Alabama public

buildingsbuildings– President George W. Bush’s allocation of federal President George W. Bush’s allocation of federal

monies to “faith-based” charitable organizations. monies to “faith-based” charitable organizations.

• Separation of Church and State cont’d:Separation of Church and State cont’d:– Also, Christian values and practices shape the Also, Christian values and practices shape the

everyday lives of all Americans – Christian or not. everyday lives of all Americans – Christian or not. • One example of this is that in both government One example of this is that in both government

and private industry, schedules are organized and private industry, schedules are organized around Christian holidays with little or no around Christian holidays with little or no attention paid to religious holidays of other attention paid to religious holidays of other groups. Schools, banks, and government groups. Schools, banks, and government employers are closed on Christmas Day, even employers are closed on Christmas Day, even though this holiday is not observed by over though this holiday is not observed by over 15% of Americans. 15% of Americans.

• So, as you can see, Americans really So, as you can see, Americans really seem to have a contradictory approach to seem to have a contradictory approach to religion. religion.

• While quasi-religious principles are at the While quasi-religious principles are at the core of many of our closely held national core of many of our closely held national ideologies, many Americans also believe ideologies, many Americans also believe that religion should be kept separate from that religion should be kept separate from our collective political life. our collective political life.


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Education

Chapter 10 Religion