ReligionReligion

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Religion as a Social Religion as a Social InstitutionInstitution Religion:Religion:

Set of institutionalized beliefs and practices that deal with the meaning of life

Beliefs and actions related to the supernatural

Relieves anxiety when the world doesn’t make sense

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Religious Beliefs:Religious Beliefs: Define the supernatural/divine order,

clarify humans’ role Organize perceptions of the world Create a guide for behavior

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Religious Beliefs:Religious Beliefs: Myth: Narrative stories about

supernatural forces or beings Serve to express core beliefs and teach

morality Transmit information about survival and

conservation Doctrine: Direct statements about

religious beliefs Written, formal

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Formal enactments of religious beliefs Activities have symbolic meanings

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle ritualsLife-cycle rituals

SeparationSeparation TransitionTransition ReintegrationReintegration

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals

Separation Transition Reintegration

PilgrimagePilgrimage

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Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals

Separation Transition Reintegration

Pilgrimage Rituals of inversionRituals of inversion

Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Religious Rituals:Religious Rituals: Periodic rituals Life-cycle rituals

Separation Transition Reintegration

Pilgrimage Rituals of inversion SacrificeSacrifice

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Subjective Experiences:Subjective Experiences: Arise out of rituals and beliefs Religion provides framework to interpret

inner states

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Elements of ReligionElements of Religion

Community:Community: Shared beliefs, rituals, experiences

create a community of believers

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An Evolutionary Model of An Evolutionary Model of ReligionReligion

Magic Religion Science Magic:Magic: People’s attempt to compel

supernatural forces/beings to act in certain ways

Imitative magic: Contagious magic:

Arose out of need for explanation; esp. difference between living and dead Animism:Animism:

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A Functionalist Theory of A Functionalist Theory of ReligionReligion

Durkheim:Durkheim: Societies distinguish between Sacred: That which is holy, inspires awe,

must be treated with respect Profane: Ordinary, everyday things that

may be treated casually

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A Functionalist Theory of A Functionalist Theory of ReligionReligion

Totem: Sacred emblem that members of a group treat with reverence To Durkheim, totems were symbols of

deity and symbols of society Experiences we categorize as religious

are responses to social forces Role of science vs. role of religion

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A Conflict Theory of ReligionA Conflict Theory of Religion

Marx:Marx: Religion serves the interests of the ruling

elite Masks the exploitation of the workers and

the class inequality of capitalism Alienation

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Religion as an Agent of Social Religion as an Agent of Social ChangeChange

Weber:Weber: CalvinismCalvinism: Doctrine of Predestination Worldly Asceticism

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Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Established church

Organization that claims unique legitimacy

Has positive relationship with society

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Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Sect

Organization that claims unique legitimacy

Stands apart from society

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Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Denomination

Organization that accepts legitimacy of other religions

Has positive relationship with society

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Types of Religious Types of Religious OrganizationsOrganizations Cult

Organization that accepts legitimacy of other religions

Has negative relationship with society

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Dilemmas of Dilemmas of InstitutionalizationInstitutionalization Mixed motivations Symbol systems Organization Letter vs. spirit of religious law Conversion vs. coercion