Religion
Chapter 9
Lecture PowerPoint
© W. W. Norton & Company, 2008
What Is Religion?
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A system of beliefs and practices around sacred things, shared “stories” that guide belief and action
Society’s way of dealing with issues that other institutions are not equipped to handle “residual institution” –does what other institutions do not historically: science, medicine, education, justice, politics,
were all part of religion. today: mostly moral & ethical issues
Secularism = movement away from religiosity, toward rationality and science
Types of religions
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Three categories: Theism — the worship of a god or gods Ethicalism — the adherence to certain
principles to lead a moral life Animism — the belief that spirits roam the
natural world
Figure 9.1 | World Religions
Figure 9.2 | Percentages of Religious Adherents Worldwide
Figure 9.4 | U.S. Religions
Theoretical Perspectives on Religion: Durkheim
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religions promote solidarity by strengthening the collective conscience Gives sense of unity and belonging
Religion reinforces values, maintains order Stresses obedience to laws
Sacred symbols become powerful because people collectively invest them with power
Theoretical Perspectives on Religion: Weber
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Protestantism as influential in development of capitalism Promoted hard work and discipline as duties to God Encouraged deferred gratification – saving, investing Viewed money as OK if not wasted on personal
pleasure These ideas made up “Protestant Ethic” These values support capitalist system
Theoretical Perspectives on Religion: Marx
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Religion keeps workers from questioning their oppressed position
Emphasizes acceptance of status quo - poverty and misery are “God’s will”
“Opiate of the people” – used to control working class, keep them content
Major religions were elitist – dominated by upper class Christianity of 1800’s Europe also by white males
Is religion weakening?
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Yes: Pluralism The presence of numerous distinct religious groups in
one society May weaken credibility of any one church May provide more choices that compete with each other May allow diverse religions to engage with one another
to build a common sense of community
Figure 9.3 | Percentage of National Populations That Rated the Importance of God in Their Lives as “10”
Figure 9.5 | Attendance at Religious Services
Is religion weakening?
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No: Religiosity = how individuals express religious interests and convictions (Glock and Stark)
Belief (about God, doctrines) Ritual (church attendance, prayer, reading) Intellectual (knowledge, study, philosophy) Experience (personal religious experience) Consequences (actual effects on behavior, attitudes)
Church attendance is declining, but other dimensions are same or increasing
The Power of Religion: Social Movements
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Marx criticized religion as maintaining status quo Churches often lead and support social movements
such as the antislavery Temperance Civil rights
Churches work through coalition building, fundraising, and communications.
Churches also provide social services
The Power of Religion: Social Movements
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Churches and church organizations also played a key role in the civil rights movement through coalition building, fundraising, and communications.
The church has long played an important role in African American communities, building strong social networks, providing social services, and functioning as a safe haven for people who have experienced enormous marginalization in society at large.
Religion and the Social Landscape
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Who is more religious? Church attendance and formal religious affiliation are higher for: Women Older people Minorities Married, widowed Lower classes Southern, midwestern states
Religion as market commodity
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Religion brings in money: Charitable donations Religious products, particularly Christian Youth market is very large Churches depend on donations for operating expenses
Therefore, religious denominations and churches may compete for members
Today’s churchgoers are treated as consumers
Marketing of religion Appeal to markets: youth market, sports and fitness,
contemporary themes and worship, counseling, secular activities
Increased size – megachurches have 2000+ members, million $ budgets
Speed – time is scarce resource; quick services appeal to many
Streamlined, contemporary, high tech – Biblezines, web churches, Christian punk & goth, following trends Christianity has historically done this
Sect-Church Cycle
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Explains existence of so many types of Christian churches in United States
Sects start out by splintering off from an existing church because of disagreements
Over time, if sect develops a large following, it may become a church
Eventually another sect may split off from it. Sect is not a cult – cult is independent group that
makes new claim about supernatural
Why conservative churches are growing
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Stricter religious institutions grow faster Members of stricter groups are likely to be more
committed and to buy more into the group mission. Sense of belonging and team effort are rewarding Have had strong influence on political issues
Abortion Same sex marriage Private school funding Public school curriculum