Ch 10 Religion Outline PDF

RELIGION CHAPTER 10 Religion The content and intensity of our religious beliefs, and the form and frequency of our religious practices, are influenced by the structure of society and our place in it. “All people say that the gods also had a king because they themselves had kings either form...

RELIGION CHAPTER 10 Religion The content and intensity of our religious beliefs, and the form and frequency of our religious practices, are influenced by the structure of society and our place in it. “All people say that the gods also had a king because they themselves had kings either formerly or now; for men create the gods after their own image, no only with regard to form, but also with regard to their manner of life.” Aristotle, Politics i. 2. 7 Religion governs fewer aspects of life than it used to. Other institutions, such as medicine, psychiatry, criminal justice, and education, have grown in importance. Religion Organized Religion Was the main agent of formal knowledge. Was the most important agent of socialization apart from the family. Education Is the main agent of formal knowledge. Is the most important agent of socialization apart from the family. Secular schools have substantially replaced the church and religious schools as educational institutions. The educational system often creates social cohesion. Classical Approaches in the Sociology of Religion Durkheim’s Functionalist Theory When people live together, they come to share common sentiments and values, which form a collective conscience that is larger than any individual. Classical Approaches in the Sociology of Religion Durkheim’s Functionalist Theory Experiencing the Collective Conscience: 1. Profane 2. Sacred a. Totems b. Rituals Classical Approaches in the Sociology of Religion Durkheim’s Functionalist Theory The effect (or function) of rituals and religion as a whole is to reinforce social solidarity. The ritual heightens our experience of belonging to certain groups, increases our respect for certain institutions, and strengthens our belief in certain ideas. Classical Approaches in the Sociology of Religion Religion, Feminist Theory, and Conflict Theory Critique of Durkheim’s functionalist theory of religion by conflict and feminist theorists: 1. Overemphasizes religion’s role in maintaining social cohesion. 2. When religion increases social cohesion, it often reinforces social inequality. Religion and Social Inequality Religions are often based on the teachings of a “charismatic individual” [prophetic leader]. Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha—all promoted a message of equality and freedom. “Routinization of charisma” (Weber) The process of turning the religious inspiration into a stable institution—“Church”—with defined roles. Religion and Social Inequality Maintaining Social Inequity and the Subordination of Women Marx – Religion is “the opium of the people” Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. - Marx Karl Marx theorized that religion served ruling- class interests by discouraging the working class from organizing in their own interests False consciousness describes the belief that class-based hierarchy was justified on religious grounds and oppressed workers would be rewarded in the next life Religious texts have been used in a number of religions to justify the subordination of women to men. Women are expected to accept this ‘divinely ordained’ position. Religion and Social Inequality Inequality of Sexual Orientation and Class Homosexuality Quite widely tolerated in Buddhism. Unacceptable in Islam, Hinduism, and fundamental denominations of Christianity and Judaism. Class Inequality Ordained by the Almighty (Christianity). Upward mobility has consequences (Hindu). Is the will of Allah (Koran).  Religion and Social Inequality Church Any bureaucratic religious organization that has accommodated itself to mainstream society and culture. Religion can maintain social order under some circumstances, as Durkheim said. The maintenance of social order often reinforces social inequality. Religious protest against social inequality Role of black churches in initiating the American civil rights movement Social Gospel movement – Tommy Douglas, the father of socialized medicine in Canada Religion and Social Conflict (1 of 4) Religious Protest against Social Inequality Social Gospel movement – Tommy Douglas, the father of socialized medicine in Canada Role of Black churches in initiating the American civil rights movement Religion and Social Conflict (2 of 4) Religious Violence No religion is innocent of slaughter. Sunni Islamic extremists belonging to ISIS shot, raped, crucified, and pillaged members of the Shia Muslim, Christian, and Yazidi minorities (2014). Extremist Hindus routinely attack Muslim temples in India. Jewish settlers (on the West Bank) routinely attack their Muslim and Christian Palestinian neighbours. Religion and Social Conflict (3 of 4) Violence against Nature The major world religions tell people they have the right to rule Nature. In the process of achieving dominion over Nature, we have reached the point where more than 16 000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects are now endangered by human actions. Religion and Social Conflict (4 of 4) Violence against Nature: Useful Lessons from Indigenous Religions Most traditional Indigenous religions are animistic. Animism In the animistic worldview, in addition to humans having souls, so do animals, plants, and natural phenomena such as rain. Weber and the Problem of Social Change: A Symbolic Interactionist Interpretation Weber stressed the way religion can contribute to social change. The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism Protestant ethic – working hard and living frugally. Led to the accumulation of capital, which was then invested. Where economic conditions were favourable, early capitalist enterprise flourished. The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of Religion Belief in Material Bad magic, conditions living astrolo improve, popular conditio gy, belief in magic ns witchcr loses ground aft Church Church Organized campaigns becom religion / against es Christianity opposing centre accepted belief systems of life The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of Religion Church as the centre “The Age of Reason” of life / solution to Scientific / other forms concrete of rationalism replacing human religious authority problems Weber and Secularization “Disenchantment” Thesis The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of Religion Secularization “The process whereby religious thinking, practices, and institutions lose their social significance” (Wilson, 1966) Secularization Thesis Theory that religious institutions, actions, and consciousness are on the decline worldwide. The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of Religion Religious Revival and Religious Fundamentalism Fundamentalists People who interpret their scriptures literally, seek to establish a direct, personal relationship with the higher being(s) they worship, and are relatively intolerant of non- fundamentalists. Often support conservative social and political issues. The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of Religion The Revised Secularization Thesis The theory that worldly institutions break off from the institution of religion over time. As a result, religion governs an ever- smaller part of most people’s lives and has become largely a matter of personal choice. The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of Religion The Market Model Religious organizations are ‘suppliers’ of services: – Counselling – Youth activities – Men’s and women’s groups … People who desire religious activities —‘consumers’ Religious denominations are ‘product brands,’ offering different ‘flavours’ of religious experience. Religion in Canada Church, Sect, and Cult Church A bureaucratic religious organization that has accommodated itself to mainstream society and culture. Ecclesia Pluralistic State-supported Subgroups are called churches Denominations e.g., Protestant— e.g., Islam is the denominations of state religion in United Church, Iran and Sudan. Baptist, Lutheran… Religion in Canada Church, Sect, and Cult Sects Groups that usually form by breaking away from churches because of disagreement about church doctrine. – They are less integrated into society and less bureaucratized than churches. – They are often led by charismatic leaders, who tend to be relatively intolerant of religious opinions other than their own. Religion in Canada Church, Sect, and Cult Cults Small groups of people deeply committed to a religious vision that rejects mainstream culture and society. – They are generally led by charismatic individuals. – They tend to be class-segregated groups. Comparison of Church, Sect, Cult Church Sect Cult Integration High Medium Low into society Bureaucratiz High Low Low ation Longevity High Low Low Formally Charisma Charisma Leaders trained tic tic Various but Class base Mixed Low segregate d Religiosity The degree to which religion is important to people. Seniors and preteens are most heavily involved in religious activities. Obligation Opportunity Need Other factors: Learning Region of country inhabited Level of secular education Social inequality in society Spirituality and the Future of Religion “Spiritual but not religious” typically distinguishing institutionalized forms from the personal experience Measuring Spirituality 1. Let the respondents decide what spirituality means. Spiritual may mean different things to different people. 2. Ask the respondents about their positive character traits. The questions supposedly measuring spirituality are themselves questions about mental health? The Future of Religion Dominant influences on religion worldwide: Secularization Increasingly, secular institutions are taking over some functions formerly performed by religion. Revival Religion serves as a useful vehicle for political expression.