Chapter 12

Education and Religion

Chapter Outline

An Overview of Education and Religion Sociological Perspectives on Education Problems in Education Religion in Historical Perspective Sociological Perspectives on Religion Types of Religious Organization Trends in Religion in the United States Education and Religion in the Future

Education and Religion

Powerful forces in contemporary societies. Impart essential values, beliefs, and

knowledge. Grapple with issues of societal stability and

social change, reflecting society even as they attempt to shape it.

Functions of Education

Manifest functions Socialization Transmission of culture Social control Social placement Change and innovation

Latent functions Production of social

networks Restricting some

activities Creation of generation

gap

Conflict Perspective

Education is a vehicle for reproducing existing class relationships.

Unequal funding is a source of inequality in education.

Access to colleges and universities is determined not only by academic record but also by the ability to pay.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Self‑Fulfilling Prophecy- students perform according to the expectations of their teachers.

Students labeled as gifted may achieve at a higher level because of the label.

Some girls learn to attribute success to effort while boys learn to attribute success to intelligence and ability.

Religion

Seeks to answer important questions such as why we exist, why people suffer and die and what happens when we die.

Comprised of beliefs, symbols and rituals. All known groups over the past 100,000 years

have had some form of religion.

Four Main Categories of Religion

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

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

Four Main Categories of Religion

3. Theism - belief in a God or Gods.

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

Major World Religions

Followers Founder Date

Christianity 1.7 billion Jesus 1st century C.E.

Islam 1 billion Muhammad ca. 600 C.E

Hinduism 719 million No specific founder

ca. 1500 B.C.E.

Buddhism 309 million Siddhartha Gautama

500 to 600 B.C.E.

Judaism 18 million Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

ca. 2000 B.C.E.

Confucianism 5.9 million K’ung Fu-Tzu 500 B.C.E.

Functionalist Perspective

Religion has 3 important functions:

1. Providing meaning and purpose to life.

2. Promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging.

3. Providing social control and support for the government.

Conflict Perspective

According to Karl Marx, religion is the "opiate of the people."

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

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

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

Women’s versions of a certain religion usually differ from men’s versions.

Characteristics of Churches and Sects

Church Sect

Organization Large, bureaucratic, led by a professional clergy

Small, faithful group, high degree of lay

participation

Membership Open to all; members usually from upper and

middle classes

Closely guarded membership, usually from lower classes

Worship Formal, orderly Informal, spontaneous

Salvation Granted by God Achieved by moral purity

Attitudes Toward Other Religions

Tolerant Intolerant

Trends in Religion in the U.S.

The rise of a new fundamentalism has occurred at the same time as a number of mainline denominations have been losing membership.

Some members of the political elite in Washington have vowed to bring religion "back" into schools and public life.

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

Passed by Congress in 1994 to challenge the nation’s public school system to meet specific goals by 2000.

Very little progress has been made. The stated goals are overly idealistic.

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

Three key goals: Students leave grades 4, 8, and 12 with

competency in English, math, science, history, and geography.

U.S. students will lead in science and mathematics achievement.

Every adult will be literate.