Sociology of Religion

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to the sociology of religion, exploring definitions, concepts, and various aspects of religious organizations.

Religion

A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things that helps to form social cohesion.

Sacred

Elements beyond everyday life that inspire awe, respect, and even fear.

Profane

Ordinary, commonplace aspects of life that are not considered sacred.

Ecclesiae

Religious organizations claiming to include most or all members of a society.

Denomination

A large, organized religion that is not officially linked with the state or government.

Sect

A relatively small religious group that broke away from a larger religious organization.

New Religious Movement (NRM)

Small, secretive religious groups that emerge either as new religions or major innovations of existing faiths.

Agnostic

A person who believes that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable.

Atheist

A person who does not believe in the existence of God or gods.

Manifest Functions

The recognized and intended consequences of a social phenomenon.

Latent Functions

The unrecognized and unintended consequences of a social phenomenon.

Intelligent Design (ID)

The idea that life is so complex that it must have been created by an intelligent being.

Religious Socialization

The process through which individuals are taught the beliefs and practices of a religion.