SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS RELIGION

SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION Humans search for answers to the ultimate questions of life and death According to Durkheim, societies universally have attempted to satisfy these needs by making a sharp distinction between the sacred and profane Sacred: Anything that is considered to be part of the supernatural world and that inspires awe, respect, and reverence Profane: Anything considered to be part of the ordinary world and is commonplace and familiar

SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION Religion is a universal phenomenon, but the form it takes varies from society to society According to sociologists, religion is a social creation Things take on sacred meaning only when they are socially defined as such by a group of believers Ex: Hinduism – Cow = sacred; Christianity – Cow = food Ex: Christianity – Wafer = Body of Christ; Hinduism – Wafer = Food Religion also is a social creation because it is a communal activity based on institutionalized beliefs and practices Focuses on supernatural world and belief is in the truth of religion is based on faith rather than on science

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON RELIGION Functionalist Religion is immensely important to society and the individual Religion performs many functions for society Supporting people in the face of fear Strengthening conformity to the norms Acting as a source of social change Enabling people to know who they are Religion can be dysfunctional when it: Hinders useful social change Helps preserve unjust laws and harmful values Creating violent fanaticism Contributing to intense social conflict when people identify too strongly with their own religion

FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION Social Cohesion: Strengthening of bonds among people Some cities that contain a variety of religions have been the sites of hostile and continuous conflict (Ex: Israel) Participation in religious rituals and sharing of beliefs create a sense of belonging that makes them feel less alone in the world Durkheim found that suicide rates are lowest among people who have strong attachments to religious groups Religious groups serve to anchor people to society, providing support and purpose

FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION Social Control Encourage conformity to the norms of society Norms and values may be supported by religious doctrine Works to maintain traditional social order by presenting this order as one commanded by God Some religions provide formalized means through which individuals may rid themselves of guilt for straying from acceptable norms and values Rituals serve as emotional releases (Ex: confession) Emphasis of religion on conformity to the existing order may inhibit innovation, freedom of thought, and social reform

FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION Emotional Support Helps people endure disappointments, suffering, and deprivations by providing comfort and a belief that harsh circumstances have a special purpose Provides answers to the ultimate questions of life and death that cannot be provided by science and common sense Emotional support may block social progress and social change

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON RELIGION Durkheim Believed that God is the symbolic representation of society Religion, through rituals and the upholding of the norms Functional for society and helps uphold the social order Marx Religion is a mere illusion representing the dominant interest of the ruling class by disguising and justifying the power of that class Helps ruling class preserve its domination of the masses by justifying existing inequalities Other sources have shown that religion actual inspires social movements Weber Believed religion could influence economic behavior and society

THE NATURE OF RELIGION Ritual: An established pattern of behavior through which a group of believers experiences the sacred Often used to mark changes in status, such as those surrounding birth, marriage, and death Used to unite believers and reinforce faith Some involve asking divine beings to intervene in human affairs Others focus on giving thanks to divine beings for benefits that have been received Generally involve sacred symbols (ex: Cross)

BELIEF SYSTEMS The Three Basic Types are Animism Theism Ethicalism We will talk about these separately

BELIEF SYSTEMS Animism Spirits are active in influencing human life Animals, plants, rivers, mountains, and wind are believed to contain spirits Do not worship these spirits as gods, but rather see them as supernatural forces that can be manipulated to human advantage Rituals are used to bring about the good will of the spirits or to thank them for gifts There are 2 sub-types of Animism Shamanism Totemisim

SHAMANISM Shamanism: Spirits communicate only with one person in the group (Shaman) Shaman believed to communicate with spirits either by speaking to them directly or making his soul leave his body and enter the spirit world Can be found among small preindustrial societies in northern Asia and North and South America Shamans may be called witch doctors or medicine men

TOTEMISM Totemism: Belief in a kinship between humans and animals or natural objects Found in Australia and some Pacific Islands Totem (animal or object) is considered sacred and is thought to represent a family, clan, or its ancestors Because of it is supposed supernatural quality it is treated with awe and respect

BELIEF SYSTEMS Theism Belief in a god or gods God is considered a divine power worthy of worship who is thought to be interested in human existence There are 2 subtypes Monotheism Polytheism

MONOTHEISM Belief in 1 god Ex: Judaism, Christianity, Islam All contain: Organizational structure Sacred writings Worship rituals Organized priesthood or minister

POLYTHEISM Belief in a number of gods Ex: Hinduism Usually center around one powerful god who has control over a number of lesser gods These lesser gods are thought to have their own separate spheres of influence, controlling such things as: Harvests Childbirth Earthquakes

BELIEF SYSTEMS Ethicalism Belief that moral principles have a sacred quality Based on a set of principles, such as truth, honor, and tolerance These principles serve as a guide to living a righteous life Ex: Found in Asia = Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinotoism Involves meditation and purity of thought and action Goal for followers is to reach their highest human potential

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES Categorized into 4 ideal types of organizational structures that apply mainly to religious found in the Western World Ecclesia Denomination Sect Cult

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Ecclesia All people in the society are members by virtue of their birth Formally allied with state and are structured, bureaucratic organizations Usually longlived Trained officials who use considerable power and don’t tolerate religions differences among the population, often making membership a matter of law Ex: Fundamentalist Islam in Iran

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Denomination Well established religious organization in which a substantial portion of the population are members Formal bureaucratic structures with trained officials Typically tolerant, holding strongly to their own beliefs while acknowledging the rights of others to hold beliefs that differ Longlived Upper and middle-class members Welcome converts, even though you’re mostly born into it Ex: Presbyterians and Baptists

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Sect Relatively small religious organization that typically has split off from a denomination because of doctrinal differences Tend to claim exclusive access to religious truth and generally tolerant of other faiths Hostile toward the existing power structure, seeing it as corrupt and worldly Clergy tend not to have had formal training Worship ceremonies encourage emotion, spontaneity, and active participation by the entire congregation Many are short-lived Some do become denominations over time (ex: Methodists) Ex: Assemblies of God, Jehovah’s Witness, Hassidic Jews

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Cult Religious group founded on the revelations of a person believed to have special knowledge Usually reject society and express devotion to their leaders Typically led by charismatic figures who are believed by their converts to have supernatural qualities Generally reject the rest of society, including its institutions People who join cults are usually disillusioned by traditional religion and by life in general Ex: People’s Temple led by Jim Jones; Mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana

RELIGION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY Great variety of religions reflects pluralism of American culture Religion is categorized by the high value that Americans place on it Tend to use their religious beliefs to uphold other treasured American values (democracy, hard work, individualism, etc) Separation of church and state = Given formal sanction in the Constitution Government does support religion in general by exempting religious organizations from taxation and regulating extremist sects (ex: Terrorists)

RELIGION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY Religious Affiliation Protestants are most numerous in the US when compared to Roman Catholicism and Judaism Roman Catholic Church is largest religious organization Jews, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians tend to be better educated and have higher incomes than other religious groups Baptists and Methodists reside mainly in the South and Midwest Catholics, Jews, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians live in the Northeast Protestants = Republican Catholics and Jews = Democrat

RELIGION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY Religious Participation Women, African Americans and older Americans are more likely to participate regularly in services Higher class = more likely to attend church regularly and hold leadership positions Poor = More emotionally involved in their religion Tends to increase with age Religion attendance at church or synagogue is a poor indicator of religious involvement Religiosity: Importance of religion in a person’s life Sociologists find it hard to measure religiosity because religious experience and commitment vary from person to person Affiliation with religious organization give little info about religiosity because people attend service for various reasons (socializing, business, etc.)

RELIGION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY New Age Religion Represent the most affluent, well-educated, and successful Americans Not very organized Believe that the divine resides in humanity Many follow Eastern religions “Promise Keepers” Started by and for men who often pray as part of athletic events Form men’s support ministries Oppose homosexuality and abortion Believe that men should take over leadership of their wives Civil Religion Collection of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that sanctify the dominant values of the society and combine religion and politics

RELIGION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY Ethnic Trends African Americans More likely than whites to be church members Churches serve as center of community Native Americans Practice religions based on worship of the environment Hispanic Americans Mostly Catholic See the church as central to community life Asian Americans Largely brought Buddhism with them Most of the younger generation is Christian