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Chapter 14 Religion and World View. Defining Religion Types of Religious Organizations Theories of Religion Supernatural Explanations of Misfortune Varieties of Religious Organization Revitalization Movements. Components of Religion.
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Chapter 14Religion and World View • Defining Religion • Types of Religious Organizations • Theories of Religion • Supernatural Explanations of Misfortune • Varieties of Religious Organization • Revitalization Movements
Components of Religion • Beliefs about nature and character of supernatural powers. • Oral or written stories (myths) about the actions and deeds of supernatural powers and cultural heroes. • Rituals intended to include or direct these powers for the benefit of the group.
Theories of Religion • Intellectual • Humans want explanations for the world around them. • Psychological • Religion helps people cope with times of difficulty. • Sociological • Religion has a useful effect on human societies.
Supernatural Explanations of Misfortune • Belief that common misfortunes are caused by spiritual powers. • Belief that misfortunes are caused by the action of some evil human who is using supernatural powers against the affected person.
Sorcery Based on two kinds of logical principles. • imitative principle - the premise that like produces like (voodoo doll). • contagious principle - assumption that power comes from contact.
Views of Witchcraft • Navajo - associate witches with the worst imaginable sins (incest, bestiality, necrophilia, cannibalism). • Nyakyusa of Tanzania- motivated by lust for food, witches suck dry the udders of cattle and devour internal organs of humans while they sleep.
Views of Witchcraft • Azande of southern Sudan - witches possess a substance that leaves their bodies at night and eats the flesh and internal organs of their victims. • Ibibio of Nigeria - witches remove the spiritual essence of their enemies and place it in an animal who dies when the witch slaughters and eats the animal.
Interpretationsof Witchcraft and Sorcery Cognitive • Explains unfortunate events. • Witches serve as scapegoats. Sociological • Reinforces cultural norms that help people live harmoniously. • Provides an outlet for repressed aggression.
Types of Religious Organizations • Individualistic Cults - emphasize direct, personal interactions between people and the supernatural. • Shamanistic Cults - some individuals are believed to have contact with the supernatural that ordinary people lack.
Types of Religious Organizations • Communal Cults - members gather periodically for rituals that are believed to benefit the group as a whole. • Ecclesiastical Cults -religion is carried out by specialized officials who perform rituals that that benefit the society as a whole.
Revitalization Movements • Organized movements that help people cope with rapid changes. • Originate with a prophet who has a revelation that includes: • Statement about what is wrong with the world. • Vision of a new world and a prescription for how to bring it about.