Social Institution RELIGION PREPARED BY: CAROL N. TALINGUEZ

Religion - any set of coherent answers to the dilemmas of human existence that makes the world meaningful. - set of beliefs and practices that pertain to a sacred or supernatural realm that guides human behaviour and gives meaning to life among a community of believers.

Characteristics of Religion: Belief in a deity or in a power beyond the individual A doctrine (accepted teaching) of salvation A code of conduct The use of sacred stories, and Religious rituals (acts and ceremonies)

BELIEF IN A DEITY 3 Main Philosophical Views: Atheists believe that no deity exists Theists believe in a deity/deities Agnostics say that the existence of a deity cannot be proved or disapproved

A Doctrine of Salvation - the highest goal of the faithful and one that all followers should try to achieve. Major religions: Christianity Buddhism Islam Hinduism

A Code of Conduct Religious Rituals - set of moral teachings and values that all religions have in some form. Religious Rituals - include the acts and ceremonies The performance of a ritual is often called service.

FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION: Serves as a means of social control Exerts a great influence upon personality development Allays fear of the unknown Explains events which are beyond the comprehension of the man Gives man comfort, strength, and hope in times of crisis and despair

6. Preserves and transmits knowledge, skills, spiritual and cultural values and practice 7. Serves as an instrument of change 8. Promotes closeness, love, cooperation, friendliness and helpfulness. 9. Alleviates sufferings from major calamities 10. Provides hope for a blissful life after death

The Difference Among Churches, Sects, and Cults: CHURCH- tends to be large, with inclusive membership, in low tension with surrounding society. SECTS- has a small, exclusive membership, high tension with society. It tends toward the emotional, mystic, feeling, conversion experience, to be “born again.” CULTS-referred to as the more innovative institutions and are formed when people create new religious beliefs and practices.

ELEMENTS OF RELIGION: SACRED -refers to the phenomena that are regarded as extraordinary, transcendent, and outside the everyday course of events-that is supernatural. Legitimation of norms. Religious sanctions and beliefs reinforce the legitimacy of many rules and norms in the community. Rituals-formal patterns of activity that express symbolically a set of shared meanings, in the case of rituals such as baptism, the shared meanings are sacred. Religious Community- the members often share the same interest, values and beliefs.