Education & Religion

 anything that is considered to be part of the supernatural world & that inspires awe, respect & reverence

 anything considered to be part of the ordinary world & thus, commonplace & familiar

 a system of roles & norms that is organized around the sacred realm & that binds people together in social groups

 according to sociologists, religion is a social creation  things only take on meaning when they are socially defined as such by a group of believers

Social Cohesion, Social Control, Emotional Support

 strengthening of bonds among people  provides people with support & purpose  conflict theorists argue that this causes problems in societies with more than one practiced religion

 encourages conformity to the norms of society  may be used to maintain the traditional social order by presenting it as one demanded by the supreme being

 helps people endure disappointment & suffering by providing a comfort in believing that harsh circumstances have a special purpose

 Ritual: an established pattern of behavior through which a group of believers experiences the sacred  Example: baptisms, weddings & funerals  often include sacred symbols  Example: clothing, herbs, crosses, books

Animism, Shamanism, Totemism, Theism, Ethicalism

 belief that spirits actively influence human life  these forces not worshiped as gods

 belief that spirits communicate only with one person in the group  Shamans believed to be able to heal the sick & see the future

 belief in kinship between humans & animals or natural objects  animals or objects thought to represent a family or clan & their ancestors

 belief in a god or gods  monotheism: belief in one god  Christianity, Judaism, Islam  polytheism: belief in many gods  Hinduism

 based on the idea that moral principles have a sacred quality  Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism

 Ecclesia: people are member by virtue of their birth  Denomination: substantial number of the population are members  Sect: small religious organization that typically has split off from a denomination  Cult: new religion whose beliefs & practices differ markedly from those of society’s major religions

 Americans & Religion Americans & Religion  Why do you think so many people who claim to be religious lack so much knowledge concerning their beliefs?  Do you think that abundant knowledge about your religion of preference is relevant/important? Why?  Bill Maher vs. Mike Huckabee Bill Maher vs. Mike Huckabee  Thoughts?