2Cross-Cultural Understanding“Social Institutions and Religious Beliefs in America”

Created by Group :

Yesicha Ryona (A1B011041)

Septa Rizka Emilda (A1B011011)

Devi Yusfita (A1B011014)

Elsa Ismiyanti (A1B011019)

Yuyun Wirahadi Sasmita

(A1B011051)

English Department and Student

Association

U n i v e r s i t y o f B e n g k u l u

2 0 1 2

3CONTENTS

COVER 1

ABOUT OUR GROUP 2

CONTENTS 3

CHAPTER IINTRODUCTION

4

CHAPTER IIDATA ANALYSIS

6

CHAPTER IIICONCLUSION14

BIBLIOGRAPHY15

4

5CHAPTER II N T R O D U C T I O N

ccording to American Heritage Dictionary, culture is defined as “the arts,

beliefs, customs, institutions, and all other products of human work and

thought created by a people or group at particular time.” Based on writing of

Robert Khols about ‘Survival Kit for Overseas Living’, we take two topics in such as Social

Institutions and Religion Beliefs in American Culture.

AIn the English language, the Americas refers to

the landmasses of North America and South America

with their associated islands and regions, whereas

America, in current usage, usually refers to the

United States of America. America is divides by two

parts of place, North and South of America.

America as the biggest power of the world,

course has many cultures in it. As well as we know,

almost all of the world cultures were born from

America. That’s why America has many heritages for

this world.

In addition, many works have been published in

the United States concerning cross-cultural behavior.

How people of other cultures view the Americans,

and what they notice as different, disturbing, and inappropriate has seldom been

addressed.

Now is a particularly sensitive moment in time. Following the September 11th terrorist

attacks, the question has been raised: Why do they hate American? The answer is not about

hatred, but it is especially about the American ways of doing things and their interpretations

of other countries.

6In this paper, we are going to discuss about Social Institutions and Religion Beliefs of

American. We know this paper is not perfect. Therefore, we ask critics and suggestions from

readers for our paper. Happy reading.

Bengkulu, 16th on July 2012

5th Group

7CHAPTER IID A T A A N A L Y S I S

ocial institutions and Religious Beliefs can’t be separated from American Culture.

Why? Because America is the mother of all institutions and religious in this world,

beside of Europe. America has many populations in it, about 910,720,588 (July

2008 est.), with 42,549,000 km2 from North to South America. It makes the Great America

should have many social institutions and religious beliefs there.

SNow, our discussion will be divided into two parts: Social Institutions of American, and

Religious Beliefs in American.

a. SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN

Based on “Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”,

the term “social institution” is somewhat unclear both

in ordinary language and in the philosophical literature

(see below). However, contemporary sociology is

somewhat more consistent in its use of the term.

Typically, contemporary sociologists use the term to

refer to complex social forms that reproduce

themselves such as governments, the family, human

languages, universities, hospitals, business

corporations, and legal systems.

A typical definition is that proffered by Jonathan Turner (Turner 1997: 6): “a complex of

positions, roles, norms and values lodged in particular types of social structures and organising

relatively stable patterns of human activity with respect to fundamental problems in producing

life-sustaining resources, in reproducing individuals, and in sustaining viable societal structures

within a given environment.” Again, Anthony Giddens says (Giddens 1984: 24): “Institutions by

definition are the more enduring features of social life.”

8 1. Accounts of Social

Institutions

Any account of social institutions

must begin by informally marking

off social institutions from other

social forms. Unfortunately, as

noted above, in ordinary language

the terms “institutions” and “social

institutions” are used to refer to a

miscellany of social forms, including

conventions, rules, rituals,

organizations, and systems of organizations.

2. The Collective Acceptance Theory of Institutions

Both collective acceptance and teleological accounts of social action in general, and

of social institutions in particular, fall within the rationalist, individualist, philosophy of

action tradition that has its roots in Aristotle, Hume and Kant and is associated with

contemporary analytic philosophers of social action such as Michael Bratman (Bratman

1987), John Searle (Searle 1995) and Raimo Tuomela (Tuomela 2002).

3. A Teleological Account of Institutions

On the teleological account, joint actions consist of the intentional individual actions

of a number of agents directed to the realisation of a collective end. Importantly, on the

teleological account, a collective end—notwithstanding its name—is a species of

individual end; it is an end possessed by each of the individuals involved in the joint

action.

4. Agency and Structure

It is convenient to conceive of social institutions as possessed of three dimensions,

namely, structure, function and culture. While the structure, function and culture of an

institution provide a framework within which individuals act, they do not fully determine

the actions of individuals. Moreover, changing circumstances and unforeseeable

problems make it desirable to vest individuals with discretionary powers to rethink and

adjust old rules, norms, and ends, and sometimes elaborate new ones.

95. Social Institutions and Distributive Justice

Justice is an important aspect of many, if not all, social institutions. Market

economies, salary and wage structures, tax systems, judicial systems, prisons, and so on

are all in part to be evaluated in terms of their compliance with principles of justice.

Here it is important to distinguish the concept of justice from, on the one hand, the

related concept of a right—especially a human right—and from goods, such as well-

being and utility, on the other hand. Self-evidently, well-being is not the same thing as

justice. However, there is a tendency to conflate

justice and rights.

And now, we’ll see about social institutions in

American. What are three major social institutions in

America? How do they impact communities, families

and individuals?

From a source of American Life Study, there

is explained that some major social

institutions in America are Schools

(Education), Workplace, Family, Political,

Religion, and Economy. They think that

communities, families, and individuals are

more so effected by these social institutions

rather than them effecting the community.

Each social institution is connected. The Economy is a major player.

Communities, Families and individuals all depend on a stable economy to afford daily living.

Now that the economy has reached an all time low people are drastically effected. Families

cannot afford mortgages, bills, food etc. If the economy is bad communities cannot support a

higher living standard. That's where education comes into play. If communities cannot afford

good school systems then families and individuals are effected.

Impoverished communities have lower standards because no one will support the growth

and production of these areas. The elite are the only class benefiting in America.

As for religion, this is a way for communities, families and individuals to share a bond. Religion

keeps people going, it provides a faith and belief that there is something better out there. It also

helps communities, families and individuals stay out of trouble.

10How Do They Influence and Affect Individuals???(Macionis, 1998, p. 439) Some examples of the major social institutions that exist in

the United States are organized religious meeting places such as churches, mosques,

chapels, temples, etc… and also schools, as well as the media. Of course, there are more

than what is mentioned above such as the workplace, prison, government, as well as

family and the list goes on. Basically, any place or group that comes together with a

common goal or need, that involves interacting and socializing within some sort of

structure, as well as also “providing a support system for individuals as they struggle to

become members of a larger social network.” (Silverblatt, 2004)

Today in the United States as well as other countries, house many various social

institutions. A social institution is an organized sphere of social life, or societal

subsystem designed to meet human needs.

Religious gatherings and meeting places for example followers, share the same faith

and meet in at a prescribe location to profess or display their structure of belief. After

or even during ceremonies people interact and socialize with one another, knowing that

their faith has pretty much brought them together to exercise their common beliefs and

so forth. Schools on the other hand is an example of a social institution where students

share the common goal of learning more, and in the end gain a diploma, certification or

degree, depending on the classes and level of education the students are enrolled in.

As far as the Media goes, it is a much broader spectrum, in which it involves many

modes of message delivery such as television, internet, physical periodicals, radio, and

so forth. So how is media a social institution? The Media is a social institution in the

respect that it contributes numerous amounts of ways for people to interact according

to their interest. For example, the choice of which television programs you watch.

The next day or that night, you may discuss the episode with someone else you

know who watches it as well, or even choose to post on a discussion board that is

dedicated to the program. Where you shop or what you buy are also other media-

advertised activities that bring people together who share common interest. People

whom are categorized by their interest, and needs form markets.

b. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF AMERICAN

11America as a great united and nation, has many religious beliefs. Of course, from

some sources that we have got, they explain it differently each other. it's because of

Americans have a lot of people and populations that are not settled even nomadic.

The most prevalent faiths in the

Americas are as follows:

Christianity (North America: 85 percent;

South America: 93 percent)

o Roman Catholicism (practiced

by 88 percent of the Mexican

population; approximately 74

percent of the population of

Brazil, whose Roman Catholic

population of 182 million is the greatest of any nation's; approximately 24

percent of the United States' population; and more than 40 percent of all of

Canadians)

o Protestantism (practiced mostly in the United States, where half of the

population are Protestant, and Canada, with slightly more than a quarter of

the population; there is a growing contingent of Evangelical and Pentecostal

movements in predominantly Catholic Latin America)

o Eastern Orthodoxy (found mostly in the United States and Canada—1

percent of the U.S. citizenry; this Christian group is growing faster than many

other Christian groups in Canada and now represents roughly 3 percent of

the Canadian population)

o Non-denominational Christians and other Christians (some 1,000 different

Christian denominations and sects practiced in the Americas)

Irreligion (includes atheists and agnostics, as well as those who profess some form of

spirituality but do not identify themselves as members of any organized religion)

Islam (practiced by 2 percent

of Canadians [580,000

persons] and 0.6 percent of

the U.S. population

12[1,820,000 persons). Together, Muslims constitute about 1 percent of the North

American population and 0.3 percent of all Latin Americans. Argentina has the

largest Muslim population in Latin America with up to 600,000 persons, or 1.9

percent of the population)

Judaism (practiced by 2 percent of North Americans—approximately 2.5 percent of

the U.S. population and 1.2 percent of Canadians—and 0.23 percent of Latin

Americans—Argentina has the largest Jewish population in Latin America with

200,000 members)

Other faiths include Sikhism; Buddhism; Hinduism; Bahá'í; a wide variety of

indigenous religions, many of which can be categorized as animistic; new age

religions and many African and African-derived religions. Syncretic faiths can also be

found throughout the continent.

The overwhelming majority of

the people are Christian.

Catholicism is the largest single

denomination, but Protestants of

all denominations (Baptist,

Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian,

and others) outnumber Catholics.

Judaism is the largest non-Christian

faith, followed by Islam, which has

a significant African-American

following. Baptism, the largest

Protestant sect, originated in

Europe but grew exponentially in

the United States, especially in the

South, among both whites and

blacks. Aside from the many

Christian movements from England

and Europe that reestablished

13themselves early in the nation's history, a few religious sects arose independently in the

United States, including Mormons and Shakers.

Although religion and the state are formally separated, religious expression is an

important aspect of public and political life. Nearly every President has professed some

variety of Christian faith. One of the most significant religious trends in recent years has

been the rise of evangelical and fundamentalist sects of Christianity. As an organized

political-religious force, fundamentalist Christians significantly influence political

agendas.

Another trend is the growth in New Age religions, which blend elements of Eastern

religions and practices, such as Buddhism, with meditation, yoga, astrology, and Native

American spirituality.

Religious Practitioners. In addition to the practitioners of world religions such as

priests, ministers, and rabbis, the United States has a tradition of nonordained and

nontraditional religious practitioners. These people include evangelical lay preachers,

religious leaders associated with New Age religions, and leaders of religious movements

designated as cults. Women are increasingly entering traditionally male religious

positions. There are now women ministers in many Protestant denominations and

women rabbis.

Rituals and Holy Places. The country does not have religious rituals or designated

holy places that have meaning to the population as a whole. However, Salt Lake City is a

holy city for Mormons, and the Black Hills of South Dakota and other places are sacred

native American sites.

There are many shared secular rituals

and places that have an almost religious

importance. Secular rituals include

baseball and football games.

Championship games in these sports, the

World Series and the Super Bowl,

respectively, constitute major annual

events and celebrations. Important

places include Disneyland, Hollywood, and

Grace-land (Elvis Presley's estate).

14Death and the Afterlife. Americans have an uncomfortable relationship with their

own mortality. Although most residents are Christian, the value placed on youth, vigor,

and worldly goods is so great that death is one of the most difficult subjects to talk

about.

Death is considered a sad and solemn occasion. At funerals, it is customary to wear

black and to speak in hushed tones. Graveyards are solemn and quiet places. Some

people believe in an afterlife or in reincarnation or other form of continuity of energy or

spirit.

15CHAPTER IIIC O N C L U S I O N

rom the discussions, we can take a conclusion about Social Institutions and

Religion Beliefs in American Culture that some major Social Institutions in America

are Schools (Education), Workplace, Family, Political, Religion, and Economy. They

think that communities, families, and individuals are more so effected by these social institutions

rather than them effecting the community. Each social institution is connected. The Economy is a

major player.

FToday in the United States as well as other countries, house many various social

institutions. A social institution is an organized sphere of social life, or societal

subsystem designed to meet human needs.

And for Religious Beliefs, Americans have many religions such as :

Christianity: (59.9% to 78.4%)

Unaffiliated, including atheist or agnostic (15.0% to 37.3%)

Judaism (1.2% to 2.2%)

Islam (0.6%)

Buddhism (0.5% to 0.9%)

Hinduism (0.4%)

Other (1.2% to 1.4%)

16BIBLIOGRAPHYRector, Monica. 2008. Cross-Cultural Understanding: The American Ghost. University of

North Carolina: Chapel Hill

Baylor University. 2011. The Values and Beliefs of The American Public. Wave III Baylor

Religion Survey

Internet Resources :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americas

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/social-institutions/

http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/United-States-of-America.html

http://atheism.about.com/od/religioninamerica/

American_Religion_Religious_Groups_History_Beliefs_in_America.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States

http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091130075921AA2gh4a

http://socyberty.com/sociology/social-institutions-how-do-they-influence-and-affect-

individuals/