1. Rite of Passage
Rite of Passage
Ceremonies that mark a person’s progress from one phase to another
They correspond with important events in human life
Birth, puberty, mating, old age, death

2. Rite of Passage
3 Stage Process
1. Segregation
2. Transition
3. Reintegration

3. 3 Stages of Rite of Passage
Segregation (Separation)
Person is separated from rest of society
Transition
Person is becoming his or her new self and learning the new role. Guides, mentors may be available
Reintegration
Person is reintegrated into society with a new role

4. Consequences of Rite of Passage
Produce Cognitive Dissonance in the Individual
Produces conformity among new members
Helps in the transition to full group membership
Links individuals to the community
Initiates who feel more rewarded show stronger group identity

5. Examples: Rites of Passage
Birth
Adulthood
Marriage: ex. Bride Kidnapping
Death

6. Rite of Passage and Ritual
Ritual Analysis

7. Ritual
Sequence of activities involving gestures, words, and objects, designed to influence forces on behalf of those who practice it.

8. Manifest Function of Rituals
Intended and recognized consequence
Consequences that people observe and expect
Manifest Function of Rain Dance: produce rain

9. Latent Function of Rituals
Unintended and unrecognized consequence
Not explicitly stated
Latent Function of Rain Dance: Reinforces group identity by providing a regular opportunity for members of group to meet and engage in a common activity.

10. Can rituals be dysfunctional?
Dysfunctions can be either manifest or latent
Dysfunctions have a negative effect on society
Manifest Dysfunction of a festivity: Disruption of transportation and excessive production of garbage.

11. Symbolism in Ritual
Symbol: anything that represents something else.
What symbolisms are described in this ritual? What do these symbols represent?
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12. Ritual Analysis in Sports
Can you find this ritual’s …….?
Manifest Function
Latent Function
Symbolisms
Is it possible that this ritual could be dysfunctional in some way?
Chicago Bulls Players’ Introduction
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13. One More Time: Ritual Analysis in Sports
Can you find this ritual’s …….?
Manifest Function
Latent Function
Symbolisms
Is it possible that this ritual could be dysfunctional in some way?
All Blacks’ Haka: New Zealand Pre-Game tradition

14. Ritual Analysis
Who exercises control in rituals?
Do rituals exercise control upon their participants or do the participants have control over the ritual?
Do the participants have control over this particular ritual?
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15. Rites of Passage and the Sacred
Human Beings, Rituals and Religion

16. Questions to Think About
What is religion?
What is the role of religion in society today?
What do you think will be the role of religion in the future?

17. According to Sociology, Religion is a social creation
Religion: System of roles and norms organized around the sacred, binding people in social groups.
According to Sociology, Religion is a social creation
Things are sacred if people define it as sacred
Religion is related to a culture’s worldview: beliefs regarding the natural and supernatural, and the manner of perceiving and interpreting the world.
How does religion affect our worldview? Provide an example

18. The Sacred and the Profane
Sacred (Religious)
Profane (Secular)
Supernatural world
Inspires awe, respect, reverence
Ordinary world
Commonplace, familiar

19. Animism
Most primitive form of religion
Beliefs in a supernatural power based on the natural world
Animals, plants, mountains, etc. contain spirits
Might have been way to understand dreams and other phenomena

20. Forms of Animism
Shamanism
Shamanism Video
Spirits communicate with one person of the group (shaman).
Magic: Attempt to understand, experience and influence the world using rituals, symbols, and language
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Describe both rituals performed by the Chinese shaman.
Is the reporter biased towards shamanism?

21. Forms of Animism: Totemism
Belief in spiritual connection or kinship between humans and animals or plants.
Totem (spirit-being) is a symbol representing a family or clan.

22. Theism: belief in a god or gods
Monotheism
Polytheism
Belief in one God
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Organizational structure
Sacred Writings
Organized priesthood
Belief in a number of gods
Hinduism
Usually powerful gods over lesser gods
Lesser gods have different spheres of influence

23. Ethicalism
Idea that moral principles have a sacred quality
Based on truth, honor, tolerance
Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinto
Goal: reach highest human potential

24. Ethicalism – Ex. Confucianism
The master said, "A young man's duty is to behave well to his parents at home and to his elders abroad, to be cautious in giving promises and punctual in keeping them, to have kindly feelings towards everyone, but seek the intimacy of the Good.“ The master said, "Govern the people by regulations, keep order among them by chastisements, and they will flee from you, and lose all self-respect. Govern them by moral force, keep order among them by ritual, and they will keep their self-respect and come to you of their own accord." Document-Based Questions: 1. How did Confucius feel people should behave toward others? 2. What might Confucius think about criminal laws and prisons in the modern world? 3. On a personal level, do you respond better to strict rules regarding behavior, or to good examples of proper behavior?

25. 4 Different Religious Bodies
Ecclesiae
Denominations
Cults
Sects

26. Ecclesia
State Church
Large and all-encompassing religious body that tolerates no religious competition.
Often highly connected to the economic market and political system of a society.
Officials are highly trained and have a lot of power
Fundamentalism: strict adherence to the religion’s rules and practices. Belief that religion should be the primary force in one’s life.

27. Denomination
Exist in societies where churches do not hold a religious monopoly- they are one religion among many.
More tolerant of other religions, acknowledging rights of other religions.
Ex. Religions in the United States.

28. Sect
Relatively small religious organization that typically has split off from a denomination because of differences concerning beliefs.
Sects are found in all religions.
It is a subjective term and can be thought off as branches of different religions.

29. Group advocates for belief in something new
Cults
New religious group whose beliefs and practices differ a lot form those of society’s major religions
Group advocates for belief in something new
Followers are usually disillusioned by traditional religions. Likely to have a charismatic leader

30. Functions of Religion
1.Social Solidarity
Strengthens bond between people and creates sense of community
Creates a sense of belonging
Makes you feel less alone in the world
Provides support and purpose

31. Functions of Religion
2. Social Control
Encourages conformity to norms
Keeps social order by making it divine
Rituals like confession serve as emotional release and contribute to unity of the group

32. Functions of Religion
3. Emotional Support
Helps endure disappointment and suffering
Gives hope in the worst of times.
Provides answers for ultimate questions.
Lessens anxiety and alleviates doubts that may arise from circumstances beyond our control

33. Functions of Religion
Write an example for each of the different functions of religion we have mentioned before:
Social Solidarity
Social Control
Emotional Support

34. Conflict Theory Perspective Religion as the “Opium of the People”
Karl Marx
Faith in the promise of rewards in the afterlife prevent people from seeking out the sources of their hardships and from taking action to better their lives.
Sport acts as a distraction for people not to see the inequality among social classes.
It distracts people from their suffering.