Exam 3 Pt 5 Soc

Definition of Religion

• Emile Durkheim's Definition: A unified system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things.
  • Sacred vs. Profane: Religion separates the sacred from the profane.
  • Sacred: Things set apart, considered holy and connected to the divine/spiritual realm (e.g., bible, church in Christianity; Hindu idols; Torah in Judaism).
  • Profane: Ordinary, mundane things of everyday life without sacred significance (e.g., working, eating a regular meal).
• Elements of Religion (according to Durkheim):
  1. Beliefs: Things that are sacred.
  2. Rituals: Practices concerning sacred things.
  3. Moral Community: A community developed through shared beliefs and practices (e.g., church).

Sociological Approach to Religion

• Sociologists' Focus: Understanding the role of religion in shaping behavior, attitudes, norms, and beliefs.
  • Individual experiences with religion can vary significantly (e.g., personal background and societal changes).

Perspectives on Religion

Functionalist Perspective

• Concerned with Functions of Religion:
  • Answers life’s ultimate questions (e.g., meaning of life, purpose).
  • Promotes social solidarity by uniting believers.
  • Provides guidelines for behavior and emotional support.
  • Manifest and Latent Functions:
  • Manifest: Planned and recognized outcomes (e.g., community support).
  • Latent: Unintended consequences (e.g., division, conflict).
  • Dysfunctions: Religion can also lead to negative outcomes like war, terrorism, and persecution.

Symbolic Interactionism

• Focus: Small-scale interactions and meanings attached to symbols and rituals.
  • Symbols: Items that provide identity and connect people (e.g., Jewish Star, Cross).
  • Rituals: Repetitive practices that unite people in a community and offer emotional connections (e.g., baptism, prayer).
  • Cosmology: Unified view of the world; religious practices communicate deeper meaning and shared experience.

Conflict Theory

• Views Religion as a Tool of Oppression:
  • Justifies social inequality across classes and groups.
  • Can keep individuals passive regarding their socio-economic positions.
  • Karl Marx’s Analysis: Described religion as the "opium of the people," dulling critical thinking and supporting the status quo.
  • Counter Movements: Religion can also inspire social change (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr. employing Christian ideals for civil rights).

Types of Religious Groups

• Cults: New religious movements, often deviating from mainstream beliefs (e.g., early Christianity, Heaven’s Gate).
• Sects: Breakaway groups seeking to return to a purer form of faith, more organized and demanding than cults (e.g., Jehovah's Witnesses, Amish).
• Churches: Established institutions integrated into society, more bureaucratic (e.g., Roman Catholic Church, Church of England).
• Ecclesia: A state religion where membership is automatic; closely linked with national identity (e.g., Islam in Iran).

Religious Participation and Societal Influence

• Segregation in Worship: Sunday services often demonstrate social class and racial segregation.
• Diversity of Religious Groups: No dominant religious group; various beliefs coexist.
• Changing Trends: Increasing numbers of individuals are identifying as spiritual but not affiliated with organized religion (especially among younger generations).

Conclusion

• Religion plays a complex and multifaceted role in society, influencing ethics, community bonding, and social structures.
  • Understanding these perspectives helps navigate the diverse religious landscape in modern societies and evaluate its impacts on social change.