ReligionReligion
2
Religion as a Social Religion as a Social InstitutionInstitution Religion:Religion:
Set of institutionalized beliefs and practices that deal with the meaning of life
Beliefs and actions related to the supernatural
Relieves anxiety when the world doesn’t make sense
3
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Religious Beliefs:Religious Beliefs: Define the supernatural/divine order,
clarify humans’ role Organize perceptions of the world Create a guide for behavior
4
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Religious Beliefs:Religious Beliefs: Myth: Narrative stories about
supernatural forces or beings Serve to express core beliefs and teach
morality Transmit information about survival and
conservation Doctrine: Direct statements about
religious beliefs Written, formal
5
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Formal enactments of religious beliefs Activities have symbolic meanings
6
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals
7
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle ritualsLife-cycle rituals
SeparationSeparation TransitionTransition ReintegrationReintegration
8
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals
Separation Transition Reintegration
PilgrimagePilgrimage
9
Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals
Separation Transition Reintegration
Pilgrimage Rituals of inversionRituals of inversion
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
10
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals
Separation Transition Reintegration
Pilgrimage Rituals of inversion SacrificeSacrifice
11
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Subjective Experiences:Subjective Experiences: Arise out of rituals and beliefs Religion provides framework to interpret
inner states
12
Elements of ReligionElements of Religion
Community:Community: Shared beliefs, rituals, experiences
create a community of believers
13
An Evolutionary Model of An Evolutionary Model of ReligionReligion
Magic Religion Science Magic:Magic: People’s attempt to compel
supernatural forces/beings to act in certain ways
Imitative magic: Contagious magic:
Arose out of need for explanation; esp. difference between living and dead Animism:Animism:
14
A Functionalist Theory of A Functionalist Theory of ReligionReligion
Durkheim:Durkheim: Societies distinguish between Sacred: That which is holy, inspires awe,
must be treated with respect Profane: Ordinary, everyday things that
may be treated casually
15
A Functionalist Theory of A Functionalist Theory of ReligionReligion
Totem: Sacred emblem that members of a group treat with reverence To Durkheim, totems were symbols of
deity and symbols of society Experiences we categorize as religious
are responses to social forces Role of science vs. role of religion
16
A Conflict Theory of ReligionA Conflict Theory of Religion
Marx:Marx: Religion serves the interests of the ruling
elite Masks the exploitation of the workers and
the class inequality of capitalism Alienation
17
Religion as an Agent of Social Religion as an Agent of Social ChangeChange
Weber:Weber: CalvinismCalvinism: Doctrine of Predestination Worldly Asceticism
18
Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Established church
Organization that claims unique legitimacy
Has positive relationship with society
19
Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Sect
Organization that claims unique legitimacy
Stands apart from society
20
Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Denomination
Organization that accepts legitimacy of other religions
Has positive relationship with society
21
Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Cult
Organization that accepts legitimacy of other religions
Has negative relationship with society
22
Dilemmas of Dilemmas of InstitutionalizationInstitutionalization Mixed motivations Symbol systems Organization Letter vs. spirit of religious law Conversion vs. coercion