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Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

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Page 1: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant
Page 2: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant
Page 3: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Key words

– Theism– Atheism– Denomination– Cult and Sect– Secularisation– Social cohesion– Social control– Sacred/Profane– Protestant Work Ethic– Dominant ideology

Page 4: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religion and Belief Systems

• Has anyone consulted a clairvoyant?

• Had their cards or tea-leaves read recently?

• Anyone believe in UFOs?

Who reads horoscopes?

Did you believe it?

Page 5: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Sociological Imagination

• History• What is the history of religious practices?

• Structure• What are the different kinds of religions?

• Culture• What are key ideas about religion in society?

‘ability to imagine & understand intersection between personal biography & historical social structures’ CW Mills

Page 6: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

• It’s a universal institution

•set of beliefs and practices often organized around supernatural and moral claims,

and often codified

Definition

“A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say things set apart and forbidden - beliefs

and practices which unite into a single moral community called a Church, all those that adhere to them”

(Emile Durkheim 1965)

Page 7: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Sociological Ideas about Religion

• SOCIAL COHESION– Durkheim

• SOCIAL CONTROL– Marx

• SOCIAL CHANGE– Weber– New Religious Movements

Page 8: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Social Cohesion Durkheim

• Religion is powerful force for unification within society– Main purpose of religion in societies is to help

make contact with one another, not God

– Rituals give sense of community with shared experiences- birth, marriage, death, planting/harvest, solstice/ equinox

– Meant no one had to face life alone– Collective conscience

• Promotes social cohesion• Emotional support and meaning in times of

stress• Reinforcement of norms giving them moral

legitimacy

Page 9: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religion as Social ControlKarl Marx

• Concept of alienation, consequence of condition of social forces which separate human beings from things which are crucial to their own nature

• Relates to nature of capitalism whereby people become commodities (units of labor)

• Ideology - set of persuasive ideas part of “common sense “ of society that ensure maintenance of exploitative social systems.

Page 10: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religion is ‘opium of the people‘ K.Marx

• “Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and also the protest against real distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of spiritless conditions. It is the opium of the people.” Marx (1844)

• Mechanism for social control

Page 11: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religion: Force of Social Change?• Max Weber• Protestant Ethic & the Spirit of Capitalism• Calvinism - hard work and acquisition of material

wealth indicative of God’s favor and of salvation.• Encouraged hard work and diligence (Protestant Ethic)

• Growth of capitalism

Page 12: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Impact of Religion

• Are religious people happier, better adjusted, more stable?

• Are religious people healthier?

• Do they recover from disease more often?

• Are religious people more moral, more faithful, less likely to cheat?

Page 13: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Practices, Beliefs and Social Context

• PRE-THEISTIC – (tribal societies)

• THEISM – (more developed societies)

• ATHEISM – (rise in modern societies)

Page 14: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Pre-theistic systems

• Fate - approximates modern concepts of destiny/luck

• Animism- whole natural world has spiritual qualities

• Totemism- supernatural qualities concentrated in particular (sacred) objects– All reflect need to find

meaning

Page 15: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Theism

• Theism -system of beliefs that establish divine beings that shape human affairs– Polytheism-belief in gods,

each with their own sphere of influence

–Monotheism-belief in supreme god.

– 3 religions are monotheistic:

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Page 16: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Atheism

• Term for non-religious

• Also applied to systems which deny existence of personal supernatural beings

Page 17: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religion vs. Magic

Religion MagicWorships the supernatural Attempts to control

supernatural forces

Object of worship is god or gods

Does not worship god or gods

Religious experience an end in itself

Ritual is means to an end

Group oriented; experience designed to unify group

Individually oriented; experience designed to help individual user

Page 18: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Elements of Religion

Page 19: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religious Organizations: Relationship to Society

Page 20: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Places of Worship

Church Basilica

Mosque

Pagoda Temple

Synagogue

Page 22: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

9) Sikhism: 23 million12) Judaism: 15 million13) Baha'i: 7 million17) Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million20) Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand

21) Rastafarianism: 600 thousand

22) Scientology: 500 thousand

Page 23: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant
Page 24: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Origin of Universalizing Religions

Christianity-Founded upon Jesus as Messiah

Islam–same narrative as Judaism/ Christianity. All consider Adam first man and Abraham one of his descendants.

Judaism-Abraham is founder, waiting for Messiah to set up kingdom on earth

Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Page 25: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant
Page 26: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Orthodox Judaism

Haredi ("ultra-Orthodox) Hasidic Judaism

Conservative Judaism, known as Masorti Judaism

Reform Judaism

Reconstructionist JudaismHumanistic Judaism

Modern Orthodox

Page 27: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Christianity

Three major branches

1.Roman Catholic 2.Protestant3.Eastern Orthodox

The Holy Trinity

first humans were created in image of God (imago Dei), most Christians believe heaven and hell.

Jesus Christ is God's only son, born of a virgin, executed, descended into Hell, rose again and ascended into heaven. The only way to heaven is

by accepting this.

Presbyterian

Anabaptism

Pentecostalism

Page 28: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Branches of Islam• Sunni- comprise

majority of Muslims -largest branch in

most Muslim countries

-Middle East and Asia

• Shiite- 16% of Muslims -mostly found Iran,

Pakistan, and Iraq

Qur'an Five Pillars

Page 29: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

6 B.C., word Hindu used in India for people in caste system.

97% of Hindus are concentrated in one country-India.

While origins of other religions are in recent past,

Hinduism existed prior to recorded history.

Largest number of followers in world

Hinduism

Trinitarian

Page 30: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Buddhism- emerged from Hinduism.

Page 31: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Other Ethnic Religions

Confucianism prescribed series of ethical principles for orderly conduct of daily

life in China. Confucius-philosopher and

teacher in China

Daoism (Taoism) Daoists seek doa. A virtuous person draws powers from being absorbed in dao.

Shintoism-ethnic religion of Japan. considers forces of nature to be divine, especially Sun &

Moon.

Page 32: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religion: Past, Present & Future(Source: World Christian Encyclopedia)

• Religion 1900 1980 2000• Christian 34.4% 32.8% 32.3%• RC 16.8% 18.5% 18.7%• Prot. 9.4% 7.9% 7.0%• E.O. 7.5% 2.8% 2.4%• Other 0.07% 3.6% 4.1%• Atheist 0.2% 20.8% 21.3%• Muslim 12.4% 16.5% 19.2%• Hindu 12.5% 13.3% 13.7%• Buddhism 7.8% 6.3% 5.7%

Page 33: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant
Page 34: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Cults and Sects

• Cults and Sects: – generally small & often challenge existing social structures

and values.

• Cults – may claim links with traditional religion.

Inward looking, stressing personal religious experience

• Sects – seek return to original more fundamental truths.

Doesn’t try to change rest of society, eg. Amish

Page 35: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Alternative Belief Systems

• Are they replacing religion?– Science and technology– Markets

• New Religious Movements (NRMs)– Clairvoyance, Astrology, Crystal

power– Paganism and nature worship

Wiccans

Page 36: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Religious school students Religious school students cheat more, survey showscheat more, survey shows

78% vs. 72% cheated at least once on exams78% vs. 72% cheated at least once on exams 74% (2002) vs. 71% (2000) vs. 61% (1992) 74% (2002) vs. 71% (2000) vs. 61% (1992)

who claimed “religion is very important to who claimed “religion is very important to me”me”

“Willingness to cheat has become the “Willingness to cheat has become the norm…”norm…”

Shoplifting: 35% vs. 39%Shoplifting: 35% vs. 39% Stealing from parents: 25% vs. 28%Stealing from parents: 25% vs. 28% Lying to parents: 95% vs. 97%Lying to parents: 95% vs. 97%

Josephson Institute for Ethics (2002)Josephson Institute for Ethics (2002)

Page 37: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Summary

• Religion tends to reflect arrangements of society within which it emerges

• Religions often serve to legitimate and maintain existing social structures

• Religion varies in organization• Secularization is process in which

religious beliefs/ practices are progressively restricted in their application

Page 38: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Words about Religion

“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” Dali Lama

“A religion that takes no account of practical affairs and does

not help to solve them is no religion.” Mohandis Gandi

“The religion that is afraid of science dishonors God and commits suicide.”RALPH WALDO EMERSON

“When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.” Abraham Lincoln

THOMAS JEFFERSON: “It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read”

Page 39: Key words –Theism –Atheism –Denomination –Cult and Sect –Secularisation –Social cohesion –Social control –Sacred/Profane –Protestant Work Ethic –Dominant

Conclusion

• Religion is a part of our cultural heritage. While some of us may reject membership of a particular religion we are nevertheless members of a society into which religion has infused its notions of morality and within which religion continues to be a powerful force.