SOCI 201 - Religion in Sociology

SOCI 201 - Introduction to Sociology

• Course taught by Dr. Gbenga Adejare
• Focuses on the concept of religion from a sociological perspective

Interrogating Religious Institution

• This is the topic of study.

Learning Focus

• Introduction: Conceptualization of religion
• Structure: Elements of Religion
• Theories of Religion
• Religion as a conservative force
• Religion as a radical force
• Disengagement thesis

Introduction: Conceptualization

• What is religion?
  • A belief system
  • THEISM VS ATHEISM
  • Sacredness vs Secularization
• Religion is one of the most powerful, deeply felt, and influential forces in human society.
• Shapes/shaped people's relationships, family, community, economic, and political life
• Religious beliefs and values motivate human action and religious groups organize their collective religious expressions.
• Religion is a cultural institution; an instrument for satisfying varying needs, and culturally patterned interaction with culturally postulated superhuman beings.
• Emile Durkheim's definition of religion: a unified system of beliefs, rituals, and practices that define and express the nature of sacred things in relationship to the profane things of the world.
• Religion as coherent answers to human existential dilemmas, making the world meaningful.
• Some definitions synthesize religion's description with its function.

THEISM - Belief in G/god

• Theistic religions focus on a higher power controlling human behavior
• Types
  • Monotheism: Belief in one divine power or god (e.g., Christianity, Islam)
  • Polytheism: Belief in many gods (e.g., Hinduism)
  • Animism: Belief in ghosts or spirits influencing human behavior (causing illness, accidents, and death)
• Totemism: Associated with small-scale societies, clans, and tribal cultures • Totem are like animals or plants possessing supernatural powers. • Religious rituals and ceremonies centre around a particular totem. • Totems are considered sacred.

ATHEISM - No G/god

• Atheism disputes belief in any supernatural influence.
• Agnosticism is the doctrine that humans cannot know of the existence of anything beyond their experience.
• Often associated with skepticism about religious questions and rejection of traditional beliefs influenced by modern science.

Structure of Religion

• Structured elements in religions according to Eddie Floyd (2003) are: beliefs, rituals, emotions, and organization.
• Beliefs are strongly held convictions that the object of worship can solve problems.
• Religions are based on beliefs and recognition of a sacred supernatural being.
• Rituals are acts, practices, and customs focused on the sacred, reaffirming commitment to the object of worship, and providing practical avenues for demonstrating belief.
• Rituals often involve specific behaviors like prayers, sacrifices, observances, meditations, and clothing.
• Emotions refer to feelings like reverence, humility, ecstasy, frenzy, and terror evoked by the sacred.
• This creates appropriate behavior for the specific occasion.
• Organization refers to hierarchical structures with trained officials vested with authority.
• Rules and laws govern daily conduct.

Types of Religious Organizations

• Churches are usually monopolistic, hierarchical, bureaucratic, flexible, and have complex divisions of labor.
• Denominations exist when churches lose their monopoly. They are often based on birth.
• Sects are smaller, less organized religious bodies with committed members. They often arise from a protest. They may have few leaders and little formal structure. They are often charismatic in nature. There is a founder.
• Cults are service-based around ideas rather than exclusive beliefs or doctrines and may involve costs for service. Cults emphasize clients, and are often selective in joining. Members may have minimal involvement once the basic rituals are learned.

Functionalism and Religion

• Society is viewed as a living organism; interconnected systems function together to maintain society.
• Religion is a social fact; it serves as an external constraint within society.
• Religion promotes shared behavior to reinforce social solidarity.
• Religion promotes a standard of behavior, keeping with the belief system.
• Religion is a tool for teaching social norms and values.
• Promotes social solidarity, and is a tool to cope with emotional stress.
• Functional differentiation, and reduction of disharmony to social order by providing norms.
• Durkheim studied aboriginal Australians; religion integrated people into a moral whole (collective consciousness, collective effervescence, moral order, rituals, separation of the sacred, and the profane; social cohesion, and social control)
• Parsons: Religion as general guidelines and conducts (e.g., the ten commandments); considers the provision of consensus.
• Malinowski: Concerned with conditions of emotional stress; religion supports social solidarity.

Conflict Perspective on Religion

• Religion is an instrument of hegemony; class-based hierarchy is justified through religious belief.
• It pacifies the proletariat, serving the interests of the elite.
• Creates an illusion that eases the pain produced by exploitation: justifying domination, serving as an “opium” that makes suffering bearable.

Postmodernist Perspective on Religion

• Religion is influenced, interpreted, and shaped by postmodern philosophies.
• Focuses on lifestyle choices and personal identity.
• Belief that religion is losing its power to impose religious beliefs; individual consumerism replaces collective traditions, and new types of spiritual movements occur.
• The influence of globalization.

Feminists and Religion

• Religion is a patriarchal institution; continues to perpetuate inequality between males and females.
• Organized religions are often male-dominated, despite women's greater participation.
• Places of worship often segregate sexes.
• Religious laws and customs may give women fewer rights.
• Women often have subordinate roles that marginalize their participation.
• Christianity and its practices were viewed as cultural factors in the reproduction of gender inequalities.

Liberation Theology

• A progressive school of thought advocating social justice for the poor; opposed to oppression of the poor by ruling classes.
• Rooted almost exclusively in the Catholic Church in Latin America.

Religion as a Force Social Change

• A primary agent of change throughout history.
• Not all Marxists agree that religion is always a conservative force supporting ruling class interests.
• Engels argued that religion could be a catalyst for revolutionary social change, as shown by early Christian sects opposing the Roman rule.
• Maduro noted conservative, traditional churches' support of the ruling class and argued that religion could be progressive.

Max Weber

• Explored the ideals of Protestantism and its connection to the rise of modern capitalism.
• Protestant belief in predestination influenced the accumulation of wealth as a sign of belonging to the elect.

Disengagement Thesis - Secularization

• Disengagement is an important part of secularization.
• The church was once central to social life; its role declined substantially in the 20th century.
• Religion has little or no impact on human behavior.
• Urban lifestyles are largely impersonal, contrasting with agrarian/communal lifestyles.
• There is a greater choice of personal service, relying less on local religious officials.
• Science, media, and diverse cultural influences reduce certainty and relevance around religious beliefs.

Conclusion

• Religion is pervasive in diverse forms; both conserves societal ideals and is a tool for social change.
• Modernity led to desacralization.
• Postmodernity ushers in re-sacralization.