Religion

Religion as a Social Institution Set of institutionalized beliefs and practices that deal with the meaning of life Beliefs and actions related to the supernatural Relieves anxiety when the world doesn’t make sense

Elements of Religion Religious Beliefs: Define the supernatural/divine order, clarify humans’ role Organize perceptions of the world Create a guide for behavior

Elements of Religion Religious Beliefs: Myth: Narrative stories about supernatural forces or beings Serve to express core beliefs and teach morality Transmit information about survival and conservation Doctrine: Direct statements about religious beliefs Written, formal

Elements of Religion Religious Rituals: Formal enactments of religious beliefs Activities have symbolic meanings

Elements of Religion Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals

Elements of Religion Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals Separation Transition Reintegration

Elements of Religion Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals Separation Transition Reintegration Pilgrimage

Elements of Religion Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals Separation Transition Reintegration Pilgrimage Rituals of inversion

Elements of Religion Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals Separation Transition Reintegration Pilgrimage Rituals of inversion Sacrifice

Elements of Religion Subjective Experiences: Arise out of rituals and beliefs Religion provides framework to interpret inner states

Elements of Religion Community: Shared beliefs, rituals, experiences create a community of believers

An Evolutionary Model of Religion Magic  Religion  Science Magic: People’s attempt to compel supernatural forces/beings to act in certain ways Imitative magic: Contagious magic: Arose out of need for explanation; esp. difference between living and dead Animism:

A Functionalist Theory of Religion Durkheim: Societies distinguish between Sacred: That which is holy, inspires awe, must be treated with respect Profane: Ordinary, everyday things that may be treated casually

A Functionalist Theory of Religion Totem: Sacred emblem that members of a group treat with reverence To Durkheim, totems were symbols of deity and symbols of society Experiences we categorize as religious are responses to social forces Role of science vs. role of religion

A Conflict Theory of Religion Marx: Religion serves the interests of the ruling elite Masks the exploitation of the workers and the class inequality of capitalism Alienation

Religion as an Agent of Social Change Weber: Calvinism: Doctrine of Predestination Worldly Asceticism

Types of Religious Organizations Established church Organization that claims unique legitimacy Has positive relationship with society

Types of Religious Organizations Sect Organization that claims unique legitimacy Stands apart from society

Types of Religious Organizations Denomination Organization that accepts legitimacy of other religions Has positive relationship with society

Types of Religious Organizations Cult Organization that accepts legitimacy of other religions Has negative relationship with society

Dilemmas of Institutionalization Mixed motivations Symbol systems Organization Letter vs. spirit of religious law Conversion vs. coercion