Religion as a Sociological/Psychological Phenomenon

1. Religion as a Sociological/Psychological Phenomenon Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky

2. Power Quest: Find My Heaven Chorus See the shadowland, hidden from the light Feel the terror rising on this cold deserted night Broken promises, not to be fulfilled Never trust a demon, never fall under his will.So we ride over the mountains Over the mountains that stand in our way We will fly, higher and higher Searching for destiny. Chorus X 2 When the thunder rolls, lightening in the sky Do you carry on regardless even though you all may die ? And when the sun burns down, draining you of life Do you crumble in the desert; do you fight to stay alive ? So we ride over the mountains Over the mountains that stand in our way We will fly, higher and higher Searching for destiny. Where will I find my heaven ? Can it really be here on earth ? How can I know what's waiting ? How will I know what's meant for me ? When the devil calls, devil calls your name Do you run like little children, running from the game ? And when the evil lies buried near your heart Do you turn against your people, tearing them apart ? So we ride over the mountains Over the mountains that stand in our way We will fly, higher and higher Searching for destiny.

3. Bell-Ringer • How much does your faith factor into how you live your daily life?

4. According to anthropologists, there have probably been about one hundred thousand religions throughout human history. • Sociologists define religion as “a cultural system of commonly shared beliefs and rituals that provides a sense of ultimate meaning and purpose by creating an idea of reality that is sacred, all-encompassing, and supernatural.” • There are three key elements in this definition: • Religion is a form of culture. • Religion involves beliefs that take the form of ritualized practices. • Religion provides a sense of purpose—a feeling that life is ultimately meaningful.

5. Theories of Religion: Karl Marx • Marx believed that religion represents humans’ self-isolation, the idea that we attribute our created values and customs to alien, or separate, beings, because we do not understand our own history. • We are drawn away from the inequalities and injustices in this world by a promise of what is to come in the next. • We are drawn to accept conditions the way they are through religion because one day our happiness and rewards will be fulfilled in the afterlife.

6. Emile Durkheim • Durkheim connected religion not with social inequalities or power, but with the overall nature of the institutions of a society. • According to Durkheim, religion has the function of bringing a society together by ensuring that people meet regularly to uphold common beliefs and practices. • The ceremonies and rituals as part of a religious group are essential to binding the members of the group together.

7. Max Weber • Studied religions worldwide and concentrated on the connection between religion and social change. • Religious inspired movements have produced dramatic social transformations. • Different religious worldviews influence the social and economic life in various cultures. • For example, in Eastern religions, Weber noted how they cultivated an attitude of passivity or acceptance, while Western religions like Christianity, have promoted “revolutionary” aspects like a constant struggle with sin (Martin Luther & John Calvin).

8. The theories of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber are still used to this day to assess religion’s role in social organization. • More contemporary approaches take their cues from economic theory. These sociologists have fashioned the “religious economy” approach to studying religion. • In this approach, religions can be understood as organizations in competition with each other for followers. • Whereas Marx, Durkheim, and Weber thought that religion weakens when challenged by different religious or secular worldviews, religious economists argue that competition INCREASES the overall religious involvement in modern society. • Competition to win followers + multitude of choices = more religious involvement!