SOC 001 TEST 3

profane

that which people define as an ordinary element of everyday life

sacred

that which people set apart as extraordinary, inspiring awe and reverence

religion

the social institution involving beliefs and practices based on a conception of the sacred

church

a type of religious organization that is well integrated into society. they are bureaucratic and have an emphasis on an abstract god

sect

a type of religious organization that stands apart from the larger society. they have rigid rules determining what's appropriate and what you're allowed to do. they are not bureaucratic and are typically broken off from a church with a charismatic leader

what type of god do sects follow

a concrete, immediate god

proselytize

active recruitment of members

breakaways

used to be part of a church

cult

a religious organization that is largely outside a society’s cultural traditions, with a highly charismatic leader. these entail a complete change in lifestyle (dressing, eating, etc.). it's not uncommon for cults to live off the radar. many present-day churches were cults at one time

religiosity

the way in which people express their religious interests and convictions

secularization

refers to the declining importance of religion

reasons for secularization

privatization of religion: religion is less influential in public matters – only matters for individuals’ private decisions
Loss of religiosity: fewer people actually believe in a God; Young people increasingly questioning their faith

why religion is dying

The rise of science has generated religious skepticism. More people look to science than religion when making decisions

fundamentalism

refers to a conservative religious doctrine that opposes intellectualism and worldly accommodation in favor of restoring traditional, otherworldly religion

five characteristics of fundamentalism

1. Literal interpretation of sacred texts
2. Rejection of religious pluralism (tolerance of others’ religions)
3. Pursuit of the personal experience of God’s presence
4. Opposition to “secular humanism” (the idea that we can think about morality without reference to a god/gods/deity)
5. Endorsement of conservative political goals

nuclear family

family unit composed of one or two parents and their children

extended family

nuclear family + other kin

reproduction

replace dying members of society with new members in an ORDERLY fashion

what does family establish

family of procreation

marriage

The culturally-approved sexual union that legitimizes childbearing

family regulation of sexual behavior

tells us who we can and can’t have sex with

exogamy

cultural norm in which people marry outside a particular group

endogamy

cultural norm in which people marry inside a particular group

families in relation to social placement

families provide ascribed statuses, which place children in various social hierarchies from birth

family before industrial revolution

3 generations in a household (grandparents, parents, children) to focus on production. Families were self-sufficient units that provided for themselves
(and women did most of the work–food, clothes, medicine)

families post-industrialization

Households as consumer (not producers)
We now buy everything we need (groceries, clothes, meds)
(women still do most of the work, though)
Households are typically smaller as a result (two generations instead of three)

housewife before vs after industrialization

As producers, wives contributed materially to the household (e.g., canning produce)
As consumers, they are dependent on spousal income (buying canned tomatoes)