religion and society. what is religion? durkheim defined religion by three elements 1. beliefs that...
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Religion and Society
What Is Religion?
Durkheim defined religion by three elements1. Beliefs that are some things are sacred
(Set apart, Forbidden)2. Practices (rituals) centering on things
considered sacred3. A Moral Community (a church)
resulting from a groups beliefs and practices
Why Study Religion?
Religion is a universal social institution What is a universal social institution?
Sociologists study the relationship between society and religion
They do not seek to prove or disprove religions
The study of religion helps us define and understand our world
Sociologists Ideas On Religion
Karl Marx Religion is a destructive force in society
The promise that hard work and good acts gain entrance is an empty one
Believed religion was meant to distract people from their unequal or unfair treatments
“The opiate of the People”
Sociologists Ideas On Religion
Emile Durkheim: Durkheim did not agree with Marx
Why would something so destructive be at the center of every religion
He believed that religion must serve a function in society It encourages cooperation Religion needs to change to reflect society
Sociologists Ideas On Religion
Religion and Social Change Religion helps maintain a societies solidarity
Mechanical SolidarityPeople need to follow a specific set of rules
• Gods make specific demands that must be followed
• These change with the society's values Organic Solidarity
People in complex societies need to adapt their behavior to a variety of complex situations
Its better for the society to have a general set of rules to follow
Sociologists Ideas On Religion
Max Weber (The Middle Man) Agreed with Marx and Durkheim
Like Marx: religious values are not always in sync with society and can cause conflict
Like Durkheim: Religion serves as a powerful social glue that ensures cooperation and achievement of the societies goals
Class Discussion
In your own words, what do each of these sociologists think about religion?
Which ideas do you agree or disagree with? Why?
How do this ideas apply to religious philosophies or movements today? Provide an example.
Functionalist Perspective
Religion is universal because it meets basic human needs Function of Religion
Question about ultimate meaning Emotional comfort Guidelines for everyday life Social control Adaptation Support of the government Social change
Dysfunctions of Religion
Religion as justification of persecution Examples
War and Terrorism Examples
Symbolic Interactionist perspective
Focus on the meanings of experiences Rituals: Ceremonies or practices; are symbols that
help people unite into a moral community
Beliefs: values and perceptions (cosmology)
Religious experience: a sudden awareness of the super-natural or a feeling of coming in contact with god
Community: United though beliefs, experiences, and rituals
The Conflict Perspective
Focuses on how religion supports the status quo or social inequality Marx’s opiate of the people
The Legitimation of social inequalities How would this be done? (I mean, we have
talked about it enough)Ex: Hinduism supports a caste system
Types of Religious Groups
The religious line: Cult: A new religion with a few followers
Views can put it at odds with society Sect: Members feel tension toward and
from society Church: Religious group that becomes
highly bureaucratized Ecclesia: A religious group so intergraded
into the dominant culture that it is difficult to tell them apart
The Future of Religion
Religion will be around as long as humanity exists 4 concerns science can not address
1. The existence of god2. The purpose of life3. The idea of an afterlife4. Mortality
World Religions Project
World Religions Project
Task: Create a presentation for your assigned religion (30 points total)
It must include in detail (25 Points 5 points per question): Estimated population and locations of major populations The groups essential teachings (Beliefs, Rituals, Artifacts) Sub sects of the religion (off shoots) and what they believe Culture (art, food, culture, dress) Global impact of your religion
Works Cited (5 points)Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Buddhism, Confucianism