Beliefs in Society: Key Terms Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Beliefs in Society notes (Theories of Religion, Secularisation, Religion in a Global Context, and related ideologies).

Substantive definitions

Definitions of religion that focus on the content of belief (e.g., belief in God or the supernatural) and exclude non-theistic beliefs.

Functional definitions

Definitions of religion that focus on the social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society, rather than on specific beliefs.

Social constructionist definitions

Definitions that argue there is no single universal meaning of religion; meanings are constructed by different groups and contested over time.

Sacred

Things set apart, holy, and worthy of reverence in religious belief; often surrounded by taboos.

Profane

The ordinary, everyday, mundane aspects of life that are not sacred.

Totemism

Durkheim’s idea that totems (sacred emblems) symbolise the clan and reinforce group solidarity.

Collective conscience

Durkheim’s concept of the shared norms, values, and beliefs that bind society together.

Cognitive functions of religion

Durkheim’s view that religion helps develop basic concepts (time, space, causation) and shared thinking.

Sacred symbols

Symbols in religion that evoke powerful feelings and represent the power of society for believers.

Durkheimian sacred/profane distinction

Religion unites believers through sacred symbols and collective rituals reflecting society’s power.

Civil religion

Bellah’s idea of an overarching belief system that sacralises the nation and binds a multi-faith society.

Predestination

Calvinist belief that God has already decided who will be saved, beyond human control.

Divine transcendence

God is above and beyond the world, often seen as not directly intervening in daily life.

This-worldly asceticism

Calvinist idea that vocation/work on earth is a calling to serve God through diligent, rational labor.

Asceticism

Discipline and self-denial aimed at spiritual or religious goals.

Vocation (calling)

The belief that one’s work on earth is a divine calling, especially in Calvinism.

Salvation panic

Calvinists’ fear or anxiety about whether they have been chosen for salvation.

Disenchantment

Weber’s idea that modernization and Protestantism diminish the magical worldview and supernatural explanations.

Rationalisation

Process by which rational, scientific approaches replace magical or religious explanations.

Plausibility structure

Berger’s idea that religious beliefs rely on a shared framework of credibility; diversity weakens it.

Sacred canopy

Berger’s concept of a unified cultural worldview that provides ultimate explanations and security.

Privatisation of religion

Movement of religious life from public institutions to private life and personal choice.

Structural differentiation

Parsons’ idea that modernisation leads to specialised institutions (education, welfare) distinct from religion.

Disengagement

Religious institutions withdraw from wider society as functions are taken over by the state.

Cultural defence

Religion provides a focal point for group identity in the face of external threat.

Cultural transition

Religion supports ethnic or migrant groups adapting to a new culture while maintaining identity.

Believing without belonging

Davie’s idea that people hold beliefs but do not actively participate in religious organizations.

Vicarious religion

Davie’s notion of religion practised by a minority for the majority’s needs (rites of passage, public events).

Pilgrims vs converts

Hervieu-Léger’s distinction: pilgrims seek personal spiritual journeys, converts seek belonging to a group.

Detraditionalisation

Process of moving away from traditional religious authority and forms toward individual choice.

Self-spirituality

A trend in which individuals seek personal, inner spiritual meaning rather than external authorities.

Spiritual shopping

Choosing and combining elements from various beliefs to suit personal identity (postmodern).

Audience cult

NRM where followers participate passively; minimal commitment, often mediated (media-based).

Client cult

NRM where followers receive services or therapies from a leader; moderate commitment.

Cultic movement

A highly organized NRMs with strong commitment; may be exclusive and leader-led.

World-rejecting NRMs

New religious movements that withdraw from wider society (e.g., Moonies, TM).

World-affirming NRMs

NRMs that promise success in this world and are generally non-exclusive (e.g., some NRMs).

World-accommodating NRMs

NRMs that reject or accommodate the world while focusing on spiritual concerns.

Theodicy of disprivilege

Weber’s idea that sects offer a theological justification for suffering among the deprived.

Marginality

Weber/Wallis idea that marginalised or relatively deprived groups gravitate toward sects.

Relative deprivation

Subjective sense of lacking resources or status, driving people toward sects.

Organic intellectuals

Gramsci’s concept of educated members of the working class leading opposition movements.

Hegemony

Gramsci’s idea of ruling-class ideological domination achieved through consent.

Sects vs churches

Troeltsch: churches are large and universal; sects are small and exclusive; Niebuhr: denominations in between.

New Christian Right

US Protestant fundamentalist movement aiming to restore traditional morality (e.g., against abortion).

Liberation theology

Catholic movement in Latin America advocating the poor; emphasizes social change.

Millenarian movements

Religious movements predicting an imminent, transformative utopia (cargo cults).

Protestant Ethic/Spirit of Capitalism

Weber’s thesis that Calvinist beliefs contributed to modern capitalism through disciplined work.

Ethnicity and religiosity

Patterns showing higher religiosity among minority groups and its link to identity and community.

Postmodern religion

The idea that religion is changing form (believing but not belonging, spiritual shopping, online religion).

Believing without belonging (Davie)

People believe in God but do not actively belong to churches; private beliefs persist.

Online religion vs religion online

Religion online is top-down church communication; online religion is user-generated, networked faith.

Pentecostalism

Global Christian movement emphasising personal salvation, strict lifestyle, and social mobility; strong global spread.

Hindu ultra-nationalism

Modern rise of Hindu-nationalist ideology linking religion with national identity.

Gellner on nationalism

Nationalism as a modern phenomenon helping to bind large, impersonal societies.

Anderson’s imagined communities

Nations as socially constructed imagined communities that encourage solidarity.

Mannheim’s ideology vs utopian thought

Ideology justifies status quo; utopian thought seeks social change; tied to class position.

Feminist ideology in religion

Claim that religious beliefs can legitimate patriarchy, but some feminists argue for religious feminism.

Witchcraft as closed belief system

Azande belief that resists falsification and uses internal validation to sustain itself.

Polanyi’s devices for belief systems

Circularity, subsidiary explanations, and denial of legitimacy to rivals sustain beliefs.

Kuhn’s paradigm

Scientific progress occurs within paradigms; normal science solves puzzles until anomalies cause revolutions.

Popper’s falsificationism

Science advances by attempting to falsify theories through testing.

CUDOS norms

Four norms (Communism, Universalism, Disinterestedness, Organised scepticism) guiding science.