Religion and Society

What Is Religion?

Durkheim defined religion by three elements1. Beliefs that are some things are sacred

(Set apart, Forbidden)2. Practices (rituals) centering on things

considered sacred3. A Moral Community (a church)

resulting from a groups beliefs and practices

Why Study Religion?

Religion is a universal social institution What is a universal social institution?

Sociologists study the relationship between society and religion

They do not seek to prove or disprove religions

The study of religion helps us define and understand our world

Sociologists Ideas On Religion

Karl Marx Religion is a destructive force in society

The promise that hard work and good acts gain entrance is an empty one

Believed religion was meant to distract people from their unequal or unfair treatments

“The opiate of the People”

Sociologists Ideas On Religion

Emile Durkheim: Durkheim did not agree with Marx

Why would something so destructive be at the center of every religion

He believed that religion must serve a function in society It encourages cooperation Religion needs to change to reflect society

Sociologists Ideas On Religion

Religion and Social Change Religion helps maintain a societies solidarity

Mechanical SolidarityPeople need to follow a specific set of rules

• Gods make specific demands that must be followed

• These change with the society's values Organic Solidarity

People in complex societies need to adapt their behavior to a variety of complex situations

Its better for the society to have a general set of rules to follow

Sociologists Ideas On Religion

Max Weber (The Middle Man) Agreed with Marx and Durkheim

Like Marx: religious values are not always in sync with society and can cause conflict

Like Durkheim: Religion serves as a powerful social glue that ensures cooperation and achievement of the societies goals

Class Discussion

In your own words, what do each of these sociologists think about religion?

Which ideas do you agree or disagree with? Why?

How do this ideas apply to religious philosophies or movements today? Provide an example.

Functionalist Perspective

Religion is universal because it meets basic human needs Function of Religion

Question about ultimate meaning Emotional comfort Guidelines for everyday life Social control Adaptation Support of the government Social change

Dysfunctions of Religion

Religion as justification of persecution Examples

War and Terrorism Examples

Symbolic Interactionist perspective

Focus on the meanings of experiences Rituals: Ceremonies or practices; are symbols that

help people unite into a moral community

Beliefs: values and perceptions (cosmology)

Religious experience: a sudden awareness of the super-natural or a feeling of coming in contact with god

Community: United though beliefs, experiences, and rituals

The Conflict Perspective

Focuses on how religion supports the status quo or social inequality Marx’s opiate of the people

The Legitimation of social inequalities How would this be done? (I mean, we have

talked about it enough)Ex: Hinduism supports a caste system

Types of Religious Groups

The religious line: Cult: A new religion with a few followers

Views can put it at odds with society Sect: Members feel tension toward and

from society Church: Religious group that becomes

highly bureaucratized Ecclesia: A religious group so intergraded

into the dominant culture that it is difficult to tell them apart

The Future of Religion

Religion will be around as long as humanity exists 4 concerns science can not address

1. The existence of god2. The purpose of life3. The idea of an afterlife4. Mortality

World Religions Project

World Religions Project

Task: Create a presentation for your assigned religion (30 points total)

It must include in detail (25 Points 5 points per question): Estimated population and locations of major populations The groups essential teachings (Beliefs, Rituals, Artifacts) Sub sects of the religion (off shoots) and what they believe Culture (art, food, culture, dress) Global impact of your religion

Works Cited (5 points)Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,

Buddhism, Confucianism