Definitions

Religion (Durkheim)

A system of beliefs and practices that unites a community in a moral and social context.

Totemic Consumption (Durkheim)

The consumptions of a sacred item/food that symbolizes the identity and values of a group, reinforcing moral community

Colonialism (class lecture by Peyton White)

The practice of acquiring control over another country and exploiting its resources and people.

Poverty (Desmond)

A line as a measure of income, being anything below $27,000. But it is also a tigh knot of social issues caused by a series of unfortunate events. Poverty is characterized by humilation, suffering and lack of choice.

Universalism (Bauckham/Bell)

A type of religion that believes everyone will eventually be saved. Any suffering on Earth or in Hell is temporary.

Predestination (Calvin)

Idea from John Calvin that claims that God has predestined everyones outcome after death; heaven or hell. This is the foundation of Calvinism’s beliefs.

Convict Leasing (class notes)

The act of leasing convicts to private business for labor in the 1960s after the Civil War. THis was a result of a “loop hole” allowed by the unclarity of Constituion. Overall, it was slavery by another name.

Denominationalism (Niebuhr)

The separtion of Christian churchs due to social inequalities, differences in beliefs, practices and/or history.

Social Christianity (Carter)

Social Christianity was this idea that emphasized seeing social issues as a result of moral/ethical problems rather than politcal or economic ones. The solutions to these problems are then said to be solved with Christian morals and beliefs that empower labor unions, fair wages, etc.

Prosperity Gospel (Bowler)

Growing Christian belief among the working-middle class that wealth, good health and overall well-being can be given by God now as long one is a true believer and prays these desires and their truth out loud

Christian Free Enterprise (Fones-Wolf/Kruse)

Belief that God is in favor of free markets which influences convservative leaders to reorient their workers away from their loyalties and more toward organized labor and government

Christian Socialism (MLK)

This idea, supported by Dr. King, emphasized religious justification for social equality expressed in collective economic terms. This idea went against corporatist capitalism as a means to achieve social equality