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Ch. 18- Religion

Ch. 18- Religion. Three elements of religion, as defined by Durkheim Beliefs that some things are sacred Practices, rituals that center around sacred things A moral community (church) resulting from a group’s beliefs and practices. Major theories of religion. Functional theory

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Ch. 18- Religion

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  1. Ch. 18- Religion • Three elements of religion, as defined by Durkheim • Beliefs that some things are sacred • Practices, rituals that center around sacred things • A moral community (church) resulting from a group’s beliefs and practices

  2. Major theories of religion • Functional theory • Religion is universal b/c it meets basic needs • Functions of religion • Answers questions about ultimate meaning and afterlife • Emotional comfort • Social solidarity

  3. Provides guidelines for everyday life • Social control- norms and criminal law • Adaptation • Support for gov’t • Supports social change • Dysfunctions of religion • War and terrorism can be based on religion • Justification for persecution

  4. Symbolic interactionist perspective • Meaning that people give experiences and use of symbols • Religious symblos • Rituals • Beliefs- values, cosmology • Religious experience- born again • Community- bond w/ one another

  5. Conflict perspective • Religion supports the status quo and maintains social inequalities • Opium of the people • Reflection of social inequalities • Legitimation of social inequalities

  6. World’s major religions • Judaism • Christianity • Islam • Hinduism • Buddhism • Confucianism

  7. Types of religious groups • Cults • New religion w/ few followers • Teachings/practices put it at odds w/ the dominant culture • All religions began as cults • Start w/ a charismatic leader • Requires tight membership of followers

  8. Provides sense of belonging • Represent a break from the past, challenge the social order • Sect • Second step towards becoming popular religion • Larger than cult, but still not in sync w/ mainstream society • Emphasize personal salvation, evangelism

  9. Church • Formal religion, bureaucratized group • Written prayers, formal sermons • Ecclesia • State religion, gov’t sponsored

  10. Religion in the U.S. • 70% belong to church/synagogue • Membership varies by location • Church-like groups associated w/ higher incomes- Episcopalians, Jews • Sect-like groups associated w/ lower incomes- Baptists, Evangelicals • Race/ethnicity segregation • Church membership increases w/ age • 94% report believe in God, 43% attend weekly

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