Sociology of Religion

Overview of Religion

  • Key Quotes:
    • Mahatma Gandhi: "God has no religion."
    • Christopher Hitchens: Comparison of dog and cat owners’ perceptions of divinity.

The Social Purpose of Religion

  • Social Functions:
    • Questions raised:
    • Does religion hold society together or promote social change?
    • Consequences of religion intertwining with politics.

Sociological Approach to Religion

  • Interest in Social Impact:
    • Focus on how religion affects individuals and institutions, using:
    • Norms and values
    • Social functions
  • Durkheim’s Definition of Religion:
    • Unified System of Beliefs and Practices: Relating to the sacred.
    • Sacred vs. Profane:
    • Sacred: Elements that inspire awe, respect, or fear
    • Profane: The ordinary, everyday aspects of life.

Major World Religions

  • Global Adherence Rate:
    • 84% of the world's population holds a religious belief.
    • Largest Faiths:
    • Christianity (33.2%)
    • Islam (22.3%)
    • Hinduism (13.7%)
    • Buddhism (6.8%)
    • Judaism (0.2%)
  • Founders and Key Texts:
    • Christianity: Jesus (6 B.C.), Bible
    • Islam: Mohammad (A.D. 570), Qur'an
    • Hinduism: No specific founder (1500 B.C.), Sruti and Smrti texts
    • Buddhism: Gautama Siddhartha (563 B.C.), Tripitaka
    • Judaism: Abraham (2000 B.C.), Torah, Talmud

Trends in American Religion

  • Pew Religious Landscape Study Findings:
    • Official stats on U.S. religious composition are lacking.
    • Surveys indicate a decline in Christian affiliation, particularly among Catholics and mainline Protestants
    • Increase in the percentage of people with no religious affiliation, especially among younger adults.

Sociological Perspectives on Religion

  • Functionalist View:
    • Religion as a source of social integration
  • Conflict View (Marx):
    • Religion can impede social change and reinforce existing dominances.
  • Feminist Perspective:
    • Women often play vital roles in religious socialization but generally occupy subordinate roles within religious governance.

Religious Organizations

  • Types of Organizations:
    • Ecclesiae: Claims to include all members of a society.
    • Denominations: Large, organized religions not state-affiliated.
    • Sects: Smaller groups that broke away from larger organizations.
    • Cults/New Religious Movements: Small, often more innovative groups, viewed as less respectable.

Religion in Education

  • Debates on Role of Religion in Schools:
    • Varied opinions on prayer and teachings of creationism vs. evolution.
    • Supreme Court rulings have emphasized the separation of church and state in educational settings.