1. Welcome to SOCI 1010 Introduction to Sociology
FAll
Quarter
2009
Class #20
Metropolitan Community College

2. Final thoughts on the economy Research Review Religion
Agenda Day #20
Final thoughts on the economy
Research Review
Religion

3. The Economy: Looking Ahead
Society must face the challenge of providing millions with language and computer skills needed in the new economy
Second transformation is the expansion of the global economy
World analysts are rethinking conventional economic models

4. Two conclusions on long-term effects
The economic future of the U.S. and other nations will be played out in the global arena
Imperative that we address the urgent challenges of global inequality and population increase
Gap between rich and poor might steer the world toward peace or war

5. Religion

6. Religion
Unified system of beliefs and practices that focuses on sacred things and serves to create a community of believers and worshippers
This definition emphasizes Durkheim’s key elements of religion. These are:
beliefs
practices
focused on sacred things
community of believers/worshippers

7. Sacred versus Profane Emile Durkheim made this distinction Sacred
superior in power
set apart from ordinary
defined by group
Emile Durkheim clarified the distinction between sacred and profane aspects of the material and nonmaterial culture.
The SACRED is related in some way to the supernatural. Some sort of special power is attributed to sacred things. This designation is defined by one or more members of the group and adopted by more individuals. Sacred things are set apart by the ordinary by this special definition which the group bestows upon it.
Example: If you watched the film “The Gods Must Be Crazy” when it was suggested with the first unit, you may have noticed that when the pilot threw the Coke bottle out of the plane window, to him it was trash. When it fell from the sky, to the !Kung, it became a gift from the Gods. It became a sacred object.

8. Sacred versus Profane Profane ordinary practical everyday
Profane things may become sacred.
Profane things, are everyday, ordinary and utilitarian objects that DO NOT carry any particularly special significance.
As with the Coke bottle, profane things can become sacred. The Coke bottle was a profane object that became sacred to the !Kung who found it. When the bottle created chaos in their lives (because it upset the balance of their value system), it was redefined yet again as an evil thing. To restore equilibrium, they had to take the bottle to the edge of the world and give it back to the gods.

9. Durkheim’s Elements of Religion
Belief that some things are sacred
Practice (rituals) concerning the sacred
A moral community (a church) resulting from a group’s beliefs and practices
As has been cited, with religions, some “things” are set apart from the ordinary. People who subscribe to a particular religion must believe (at least to some extent) in the sacredness of the “things”. For instance, it is difficult to be a Christian and deny the importance of the Resurrection. Thus, the cross becomes a sacred object, the site of the crucifixion and the empty tomb become sacred places, etc. The symbolic nature of bread and wine and the belief in transubstantiation (the conversion of bread and wine into body and blood) become part of the sacred “things” for the believers.
There are certain practices that are carried out in the same way over and over and designed to be demonstrations of faith. Rituals are these practices and they can range from simple acts such as genuflecting to complex activities such as reenacting the Stations of the Cross.
People who share the same beliefs and engage in the same practices, then may become members of the church or a community that comes together to worship and practice the rituals.

10. Functions of Religion Religion has both personal and social functions
Religion serves the individual
Religion serves the group
Religion helps the person as well as the group. As sociologists study religion, it is often equally important to see what the religion does for the members as well as for the group in general.

11. Personal Functions Freedom from anxiety
Rites of passage marking significant life events
Motivation
On a personal level, we are often interested in feeling good and eliminating our worries. Groups have often believed that their fates were being controlled by gods or some other superior being, they may feel less individual, personal responsibility for their lives. They may feel that negotiation is possible and/or try to make sacrifices, pray or perform some other kinds of works to free themselves from the anxieties of every day life.
We mark significant changes from one stage of life to another using rituals.
As infants, our births are celebrated by parents and family with baptisms, christenings or other naming ceremonies, dedications, circumcisions, etc.
Childhood ends with puberty rites, confirmations, graduations, etc.
We often take the vows of marriage in a religious ceremony
We mark the births of our children and grandchildren with ceremonies similar to the ceremonies that began our lives
We dispose of dead bodies with some sort of funeral rite (remember when the old western movies someone asked “Shouldn’t somebody say some words over him?” as they buried the latest gunfight victim on Boot Hill

12. Social Functions of Religion
Providing social cohesion
Supporting and maintaining social control
Promoting social change
Giving meaning to the world
The comfort of a group with whom we share a belief system helps to pull us together. When individuals relocate in a new community, one of the places they search out first is often a church. Churches have traditionally been the center of social life in small communities.
On a societal level, religion provides norms that draw us together. Mutually- agreed-upon norms give stability to a cultural group. Indeed, the legal system has roots in the ancient religious texts such as the Ten Commandments and the Torah, etc.
Church leaders have often been the first to draw public attention to social injustice. In US history, several of the founding “fathers” who contributed to the movement for independence, abolitionists and the leaders of the Civil Rights and anti-war movements have been leaders of religious denominations.

13. Dysfunctions of Religion
War
Religion as a justification for persecution
Think about ways this is true in today’s world. your instructor with a comment about the role of religion is some world conflict today.

14. The Interactionist Perspective
Symbols method of communication
Ritual ceremonies
Beliefs
The interactionists, as you know by now, would be interested in what the meanings are for the individual and groups.
For instance, how do people translate their religious faith into their everyday actions and communications?
How do they justify the similarities and differences in religious entities or denominations?
How do they make contact with individuals who believe and practice in the same way they do?
How literally do they believe the stories are part of their faith? Can they reconcile seeming contradictions?
For example, how can you tell if the building you are passing is a church or not? How can you tell what kind of church if you cannot see a sign?
Was it literally 6 24-hour days to create the earth?

15. Conflict Theory Marx view = religion is the opiate of the masses
Helps one “forget” misery
Wait for “reward” in afterlife
Aside from “what” one believes, it is important to know how that belief affects his or her behavior.
Karl Marx felt that the powerful members of a society could exploit the innocent beliefs the general public.
If, for instance, the group strongly believed in an afterlife that rewarded the individual for good deeds in this life, then suffering in this life might be discounted.
Their religious faith and ritual practice might drug them into an acceptance of their life as it is and prevent them from upsetting the status quo.

16. Marx’s View Religion slows social change Change is good
By perpetuating inequities, religion can do damage to the society
Rebellion and change could be quelled because it could be portrayed as contrary to the “heavenly plan”.
Marx did not debunk religion in general. He pointed out the the powerless could be “conned” into remaining powerless (drugged by faith) by those who have an interest in suppressing change.

17. Weber’s Views View of afterlife motivates social change Modernization
Transformation
Hard work; stewardship of time; save, save, save!
Weber differed from Marx in his analysis of the importance of religion. In fact, Weber felt that religious practice could stimulate change and modernization. Weber linked the tenants of Protestantism to the rise of capitalism in society.

18. Cults

19. Cult Phenomenon Characteristics Living, charismatic leader
Physical and psychological isolation
Obedience to rituals and practices
Mind control techniques
“Love-bombing” recruitment techniques

20. Mind Control Sleep deprivation Protein deficiency Isolation
Chanting or mediation
Lectures

21. Cults People’s Temple (Jim Jones)
Heaven’s Gate (Marshall Applewhite) (suicides)
Group 3 Unification Church (Moonies)
Group 4 Children of God/The Family (Moses Berg) (flirty fishing) (leaving the cult)
Group 5 Church of Scientology (L. Ron Hubbard) (believers) (Xenu)
Group 6 Branch Davidians (David Koresh)

22. Deprogramming http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL0uxDscjdo
Conspiracy Theories

23. Changes in Religious Practice
Declining influence of major, mainstream religions
Conservative political environment leads back to fundamental religion
Secularization

24. Population and Ecology
Assignment
Population and Ecology