1. The Sociology of Religion

2. Reminders…
Sociologists study religion to understand its impact on society
They don’t make judgments
You should already know about world religions from 6th grade, 9th grade, and 10th grade Social Studies…and life

4. Just so we’re clear…
Theism - or theist -- belief in a god. From the Greek "Theos" meaning 'god'.
Atheism no theism, no belief in any deity.
Polytheism, belief in multiple deities,
Monotheism belief in one god only
Antitheism - against religion
Ditheism - belief in two gods
Autotheism - declaring yourself a god
Theology - study of religions.

5. Religion
An organized collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and sometimes to moral values.
Estimated 4,200 religions in the world
Emile Durkheim: religion is different from private belief because it is “something eminently social”
World population: 59% religious, 23% non religious, 13% atheist

6. Sacred vs. Profane Sacred
Considered worth of spiritual respect or devotion
Objects
Ideas
Times
Places
Profane
Violation or injurious treatment of a sacred person, place or thing
Secular
Not concerned with religion or religious purposes

7. Sociological Functions of Religion (Functionalism)
Legitimate – gives formal approval to existing social arrangements. Central function of religion.
Encourages a sense of unity
But it also divides
Provides a sense of understanding
Meaning beyond day-to-day life
Provides a sense of belonging

8. Conflict Theory Marx Weber
People act as if religion is beyond their control
Can be used by the ruling class to justify advantages over oppressed
Religion works against social change
“Religion is the opium of the people”
Is this true in America?
Weber
Religion encourages social change
Spirit of Capitalism – reinvest money rather than spend it
Protestant Ethic – hard work, thrift, self-discipline

9. Symbolic Interactionism
People create symbolic meanings from their religious beliefs, rituals, and ideas
Marriage
Heaven and angels
Miracles
Good deeds
People use symbolic meanings to guide everyday social interactions

10. Religious Organizations
Church – life encompassing religious organization to which all members of a society belong
Denomination –religious organization that most members of society accept as legitimate
Sect – organization that wants to reform an existing religion

11. Cults
Religious organization whose characteristics are not drawn from existing religious traditions within a society
Most converts seek friendship, companionship, acceptance, warmth, and recognition.
Most groups emphasize immediate experience and emotional gratification
Security through strict authority
Natural foods, communal living, uniform dress code

12. Is it a Cult?
Does it require you to cut yourself off from family and friends?
Does it consider drugs to be a major vehicle for true religious experiences?
Is corporal punishment or intensive hours-long psychological conditioning part of its program?
Does it claim to have special knowledge only revealed to insiders?
…Is Scientology a cult or a religion?

13. Religiosity
The types of religious behaviors and attitudes people display in their everyday lives
Belief – what a person considers to be true
Ritual – a practice members perform
Intellectual dimension – knowledge of the faith
Experience – feelings attached to religious expression (feeling “close” to a deity when praying)
Consequences – decisions and commitments
Opposing death penalty
Abstinence before marriage
Absolute honesty

14. Religion in America Religious freedom Separation of church and state
Secularization – sacred loses influence over society
Fundamentalism – resistance of secularism and rigid adherence to traditional beliefs
Profane – non-sacred aspects of life

15. U.S. Religious Preferences
Roman Catholic (60.2 million)
Southern Baptist (15.6 million)
Methodist (8.5 million)
Jewish (6.8 million)
Lutheran (5.1 million)
Muslim (5 million)
Presbyterian (3.6 million)
Episcopal (2.5 million)
Assembly of God (2.3 million)
10. United Church of Christ (1.4 million)

16. Religion and US Politics
2012 Election…
Obama – Christian
Romney – Mormon
Major social issues
Healthcare
Abortion
Gay Marriage
Historically…
Democrats
Jewish
Baptists
Protestants
Catholics
Republicans
Episcopalians
Presbyterians

17. Is Sport a Religion?
"The similarities between sport fandom and organized religion are striking. Consider the vocabulary associated with both: faith, devotion, worship, ritual, dedication, sacrifice, commitment, spirit, prayer, suffering, festival, and celebration." Daniel Wann

18. Major Religions Eastern Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Western Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Religions are many and diverse, but reason and goodness are one.
- Elbert Hubbard