Religion – The Sociological Perspective How are patterns of religious belief and practice related to social class, race, age, gender, and level of education? How are patterns of religious belief and practice related to social class, race, age, gender, and level of education? How are religious institutions organized? How are religious institutions organized? How does religion influence social change? How does religion influence social change? Is religion a source of oppression or liberation? Is religion a source of oppression or liberation?

Religion An institutionalized system of symbols, beliefs, values and practices by which a group of people interprets and responds to what they feel is sacred and that provides answers to questions of ultimate meaning  Religion is institutionalized  Feature of groups  Beliefs are considered sacred and social constructed  Establishes values, morals and norms for behavior  Provides answers to questions of ultimate meaning, which are distinct from science

How Religious is the United States? Extremely religious…  2/3s of Americans think religion can solve all or most of society’s problems  In 1998, 82% of Americans believed in life after death  Religion forms the basis of many important institutions mainly using the Judeo-Christian Heritage (Old & New Testament)  The dominance of Christianity is visible in the celebration of specific holidays, such as Christmas

Religiosity Intensity and consistency of practice of a person’s faith

Monotheism – worship of one god, i.e. Islam, Christianity, Judaism Monotheism – worship of one god, i.e. Islam, Christianity, Judaism Polytheism – worship of many gods, i.e. Hinduism Polytheism – worship of many gods, i.e. Hinduism Patriarchal – Male power/authority, centrality of male god; i.e. Christianity, Islam Patriarchal – Male power/authority, centrality of male god; i.e. Christianity, Islam

Exclusive/Inclusive Religious Groups Exclusive – Easily identifiable religion and culture, members expected to conform strictly to religious values and behavioral norms, i.e. Jehovah’s witnesses, Mormons Inclusive – More moderate and liberal religious orientation. Ecumenical – stress interdenominational cooperation and the importance of common religious work. Beliefs are weakly held resulting in a diffuse religious community, i.e. United Methodist & United Presbyterian churches

Sociological Theories and Religion

Durkheim  Religion is functional for society as it reinforces social bonds  Religious rituals (prayer, pilgrimage…) are symbolic behaviors that freshen a group’s awareness of its unifying beliefs  Establishes a society’s collective consciousness, that give people a sense of belonging

Weber Weber  Famous work “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,” which reconciled the austerity of Protestantism with the insatiable desire for wealth in capitalist society  Argued those who worked harder in an attempt to accumulate wealth were predestined for salvation; those who show the desire to work are “the chosen”  The ideal for Protestants was also to make a lot of money, but not spend on themselves – yet, through their hard work the growth and expansion of capitalism would continue

Marx  Religion as a basis for conflict  Marx saw religion as a tool for class oppression that encouraged passivity and acceptance (“opiate of the masses”)  Believed religion was an institution that preserved the status quo; supports the ruling class and slows social change, i.e. the justification of slavery through the education and salvation of savages

Symbolic Interaction  Emphasizes the process by which people become religious  Religion is socially constructed and emerges with social and historical change  Religious beliefs are socially constructed and subject to interpretation by individuals; practices and rituals provide definitions of group and individual identity

Global Religions

Christianity  Roman Catholics Center of religious authority is Pope. RCs in the US are generally more liberal than official church doctrine allows such as on the issues of: contraceptives, homosexuality, ordaining women and forbidding all types of abortions. Has created strains between the Vatican and Catholics in the US  Roman Catholics – Center of religious authority is Pope. RCs in the US are generally more liberal than official church doctrine allows such as on the issues of: contraceptives, homosexuality, ordaining women and forbidding all types of abortions. Has created strains between the Vatican and Catholics in the US  Protestants – Largest religious group in the United States; divided between mainline Protestants (less diligent about religious observance) and conservatives (extremely devout)

Judaism  40% of the world’s Jewish population is in the United States  Number of Jews is actually declining as a result of low birth rates among Jewish people, and through the inter-marriage of Jews and other religions (Jewish offspring are only considered Jewish if the mother is Jewish)  Orthodox Judaism: Strict adherence to traditional rituals; biblical dietary laws, traditional codes of dress/attire, strict observance of the Sabbath  Reform Judaism: More secular orientation, excused from strict observance of traditional ritual, temple events held in English, not Hebrew  Conservation Judaism: Falls between Orthodox and Reform

Islam  Practiced mainly in the Middle East, although Muslims are also found in northern Africa, southeastern Asia and increasingly in N. America and Europe  Islam is the word of God (Allah) revealed in the prophet Muhammad, born in Mecca 570A.D.; holy book is the Koran; Islamic faith incorporated some Jewish and Christian traditions and expanded to include spiritual laws that governed most aspects of life including politics  Strong divide between Shias (who believe only descendants of Muhammad are true leaders of the religion after the death of Muhammad) and Sunnis (who opposed political succession based on Mohammad’s bloodline)  Highly patriarchal where women are denied many of the same freedoms as men, although this varies by region

Hinduism  Rejects the idea that there is a single, powerful God  Central belief of Hinduism is the concept of karma – the belief that all human actions have a spiritual consequence  Historically linked to India’s caste system – those with higher levels of spirituality are regarded to be part of the upper caste, while the untouchables (lowest caste) are seen to be spiritually bereft

Scientology What are the origins of Scientology? (How did Scientology begin?) What are the origins of Scientology? (How did Scientology begin?) What is the organizational structure of the Church of Scientology? (Who runs da show?) What is the organizational structure of the Church of Scientology? (Who runs da show?) What is the appeal of Scientology? (How does the religion attract followers/why do people stay?) What is the appeal of Scientology? (How does the religion attract followers/why do people stay?) How does the documentary explain the definition of religion? Should Scientology be considered a religion or a cult? Explain. (Should Scientology have to pay taxes?) How does the documentary explain the definition of religion? Should Scientology be considered a religion or a cult? Explain. (Should Scientology have to pay taxes?) How does the Church of Scientology compare to other major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)? How is Scientology the same or different from other world religions? How does the Church of Scientology compare to other major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)? How is Scientology the same or different from other world religions? Ye (Bippity Boppity) Ye (Bippity Boppity)

Religious Organizations Churches: See themselves as the primary legitimate religious institution, sometimes closely tied to the state. Organized as complex bureaucracies (division of labor, hierarchy, roles…) and employ a professional full-time clergy Churches: See themselves as the primary legitimate religious institution, sometimes closely tied to the state. Organized as complex bureaucracies (division of labor, hierarchy, roles…) and employ a professional full-time clergy Sects: Broken off from established churches due to theological disputes or disagreements, usually less bureaucratic and place greater emphasis on purity of faith; i.e. Shakers – former Quakers who believe Christ will return in the form of a woman; Amish – formerly Swiss Mennonites who created their own group to enforce the practice of shunning Sects: Broken off from established churches due to theological disputes or disagreements, usually less bureaucratic and place greater emphasis on purity of faith; i.e. Shakers – former Quakers who believe Christ will return in the form of a woman; Amish – formerly Swiss Mennonites who created their own group to enforce the practice of shunning Cults: Religious groups devoted to a specific cause or leaders with great charisma. Leader is thought to have special powers; many cults arise within established religions and some mainstream religions started as cults (Scientology?) Cults: Religious groups devoted to a specific cause or leaders with great charisma. Leader is thought to have special powers; many cults arise within established religions and some mainstream religions started as cults (Scientology?)

Why do people join cults? Brainwashing Thesis – Innocent people are tricked into religious conversion; cults exercise mind control that strips converts of their earlier identities, robs them of free will, and “programs” their minds with cult beliefs Brainwashing Thesis – Innocent people are tricked into religious conversion; cults exercise mind control that strips converts of their earlier identities, robs them of free will, and “programs” their minds with cult beliefs Social Drift Theory – People join cults gradually, usually after experiencing personal strains or if they have become disconnected with their prior affiliations Social Drift Theory – People join cults gradually, usually after experiencing personal strains or if they have become disconnected with their prior affiliations

What are the origins of Scientology? (How did Scientology begin?) What are the origins of Scientology? (How did Scientology begin?) What is the organizational structure of the Church of Scientology? (Who runs da show?) What is the organizational structure of the Church of Scientology? (Who runs da show?) What is the appeal of Scientology? (How does the religion attract followers/why do people stay?) What is the appeal of Scientology? (How does the religion attract followers/why do people stay?) How does the documentary explain the definition of religion? Should Scientology be considered a religion or a cult? Explain. (Should Scientology have to pay taxes?) How does the documentary explain the definition of religion? Should Scientology be considered a religion or a cult? Explain. (Should Scientology have to pay taxes?) How does the Church of Scientology compare to other major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)? How is Scientology the same or different from other world religions? How does the Church of Scientology compare to other major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)? How is Scientology the same or different from other world religions? Ye (Bippity Boppity) Ye (Bippity Boppity) Max Weber believed that modern society, having become increasingly scientific, empirical and rational, has lost its religious spirituality. Do you believe this is true and do you feel the effects of this are negative or positive for society? Use sociological reasoning to write your response (Does religion do more harm than good, or more good than harm in society?)