CHAPTER 14.2Education & Religion

Sacred anything that

is considered to be part of the supernatural world & that inspires awe, respect & reverence

Profane anything

considered to be part of the ordinary world & thus, commonplace & familiar

Religion a system of

roles & norms that is organized around the sacred realm & that binds people together in social groups

Religion: A Sociological Definition

according to sociologists, religion is a social creation things only take

on meaning when they are socially defined as such by a group of believers

The Functions of Religion

Social Cohesion, Social Control, Emotional Support

Social Cohesion strengthening of bonds

among people provides people with

support & purpose conflict theorists argue

that this causes problems in societies with more than one practiced religion

Social Control encourages

conformity to the norms of society

may be used to maintain the traditional social order by presenting it as one demanded by the supreme being

Emotional Support helps people

endure disappointment & suffering by providing a comfort in believing that harsh circumstances have a special purpose

Rituals and Symbols Ritual: an established

pattern of behavior through which a group of believers experiences the sacred Example: baptisms,

weddings & funerals often include sacred

symbols Example: clothing,herbs, crosses, books

Belief SystemsAnimism, Shamanism, Totemism,

Theism, Ethicalism

Animism belief that

spirits actively influence human life

these forces not worshiped as gods

Shamanism belief that spirits

communicate only with one person in the group

Shamans believed to be able to heal the sick & see the future

Totemism belief in kinship

between humans & animals or natural objects

animals or objects thought to represent a family or clan & their ancestors

Theism belief in a god or

gods monotheism:

belief in one god Christianity,

Judaism, Islam polytheism: belief

in many gods Hinduism

Ethicalism based on the

idea that moral principles have a sacred qualityBuddhism,

Confucianism, Shintoism

Organizational Structures

Ecclesia: people are member by virtue of their birth

Denomination: substantial number of the population are members

Sect: small religious organization that typically has split off from a denomination

Cult: new religion whose beliefs & practices differ markedly from those of society’s major religions

Americans and Religion Americans & Religion

Why do you think so many people who claim to be religious lack so much knowledge concerning their beliefs?

Do you think that abundant knowledge about your religion of preference is relevant/important? Why?

Bill Maher vs. Mike Huckabee Thoughts?