Religion Chapter 9 Lecture PowerPoint © W. W. Norton & Company, 2008

Religion

Chapter 9

Lecture PowerPoint

© W. W. Norton & Company, 2008

What Is Religion?

You May Ask YourselfCopyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

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A system of beliefs and practices around sacred things, shared “stories” that guide belief and action

Society’s way of dealing with issues that other institutions are not equipped to handle “residual institution” –does what other institutions do not historically: science, medicine, education, justice, politics,

were all part of religion. today: mostly moral & ethical issues

Secularism = movement away from religiosity, toward rationality and science

Types of religions


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Three categories: Theism — the worship of a god or gods Ethicalism — the adherence to certain

principles to lead a moral life Animism — the belief that spirits roam the

natural world

Figure 9.1 | World Religions

Figure 9.2 | Percentages of Religious Adherents Worldwide

Figure 9.4 | U.S. Religions

Theoretical Perspectives on Religion: Durkheim


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religions promote solidarity by strengthening the collective conscience Gives sense of unity and belonging

Religion reinforces values, maintains order Stresses obedience to laws

Sacred symbols become powerful because people collectively invest them with power

Theoretical Perspectives on Religion: Weber


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Protestantism as influential in development of capitalism Promoted hard work and discipline as duties to God Encouraged deferred gratification – saving, investing Viewed money as OK if not wasted on personal

pleasure These ideas made up “Protestant Ethic” These values support capitalist system

Theoretical Perspectives on Religion: Marx


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Religion keeps workers from questioning their oppressed position

Emphasizes acceptance of status quo - poverty and misery are “God’s will”

“Opiate of the people” – used to control working class, keep them content

Major religions were elitist – dominated by upper class Christianity of 1800’s Europe also by white males

Is religion weakening?


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Yes: Pluralism The presence of numerous distinct religious groups in

one society May weaken credibility of any one church May provide more choices that compete with each other May allow diverse religions to engage with one another

to build a common sense of community

Figure 9.3 | Percentage of National Populations That Rated the Importance of God in Their Lives as “10”

Figure 9.5 | Attendance at Religious Services

Is religion weakening?


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No: Religiosity = how individuals express religious interests and convictions (Glock and Stark)

Belief (about God, doctrines) Ritual (church attendance, prayer, reading) Intellectual (knowledge, study, philosophy) Experience (personal religious experience) Consequences (actual effects on behavior, attitudes)

Church attendance is declining, but other dimensions are same or increasing

The Power of Religion: Social Movements


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Marx criticized religion as maintaining status quo Churches often lead and support social movements

such as the antislavery Temperance Civil rights

Churches work through coalition building, fundraising, and communications.

Churches also provide social services

The Power of Religion: Social Movements


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Churches and church organizations also played a key role in the civil rights movement through coalition building, fundraising, and communications.

The church has long played an important role in African American communities, building strong social networks, providing social services, and functioning as a safe haven for people who have experienced enormous marginalization in society at large.

Religion and the Social Landscape


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Who is more religious? Church attendance and formal religious affiliation are higher for: Women Older people Minorities Married, widowed Lower classes Southern, midwestern states

Religion as market commodity


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Religion brings in money: Charitable donations Religious products, particularly Christian Youth market is very large Churches depend on donations for operating expenses

Therefore, religious denominations and churches may compete for members

Today’s churchgoers are treated as consumers

Marketing of religion Appeal to markets: youth market, sports and fitness,

contemporary themes and worship, counseling, secular activities

Increased size – megachurches have 2000+ members, million $ budgets

Speed – time is scarce resource; quick services appeal to many

Streamlined, contemporary, high tech – Biblezines, web churches, Christian punk & goth, following trends Christianity has historically done this

Sect-Church Cycle


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Explains existence of so many types of Christian churches in United States

Sects start out by splintering off from an existing church because of disagreements

Over time, if sect develops a large following, it may become a church

Eventually another sect may split off from it. Sect is not a cult – cult is independent group that

makes new claim about supernatural

Why conservative churches are growing


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Stricter religious institutions grow faster Members of stricter groups are likely to be more

committed and to buy more into the group mission. Sense of belonging and team effort are rewarding Have had strong influence on political issues

Abortion Same sex marriage Private school funding Public school curriculum

Documents

Religion Chapter 9 Lecture PowerPoint © W. W. Norton & Company, 2008