Transcript ppt_ch19
Chapter 19 Religion © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religion: Basic Concepts Religion is a social institution involving beliefs and practices based on a conception of the sacred. Sacred: what people set apart as extraordinary, inspiring awe, reverence, and fear Profane: ordinary elements of life Ritual: formal ceremonial behaviour Faith: belief anchored in conviction rather than scientific evidence © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Structural-Functional Analysis Functions of religion: 1. Social cohesion 2. Social control 3. Providing meaning and purpose Critical evaluation: Religion generates social conflict and provokes violence. © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Symbolic-Interaction Analysis Religion is socially constructed Difference between sacred and profane is sharpened with rituals Defining oneself within the “cosmic frame of reference” gives security Critical evaluation: Ignores link to inequality © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Social-Conflict Analysis Religion serves hierarchy by Legitimizing the status quo and diverting people from inequalities “opium of the people” Supporting patriarchy Turning a blind eye to child sex abuse Critical evaluation: religion can promote change: helped abolish slavery and promoted civil rights Helped develop Canada’s social safety net © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religion and Social Change Max Weber: Protestantism and capitalism Calvinists sought signs of salvation Worked hard and gained assets, but Reinvested instead of spending them Thought economic success showed God’s favour Liberation Theology: fusion of Christian principles with political activism in Latin America © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religious Organizations Church: a type of religious organization well integrated into the larger community Ecclesia or State church: is formally allied with the state Denomination: independent of the state Sect: stands apart from the larger society – Charisma: extraordinary personal qualities New religious movement: movement to renew an existing church Cult: largely outside the cultural traditions © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religion in History Animism: belief that elements of the natural world are conscious life forms that affect humanity is found among hunter gatherers. Single divine power responsible for creation emerged with pastoral and horticultural societies. Industrial revolution and science led to differentiation: science for material and religion for spiritual dimensions. © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Christianity 2 billion followers 85% of Canadians and Americans Christianity originated as a cult Monotheistic: belief in a single divine power Jesus is considered divine and was crucified making the cross a central symbol Takes many forms: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox, and others © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Islam 1.2 billion followers Muslims are found predominantly in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa Islam is the word of God as revealed to the prophet Muhammad, born in Mecca about 570. The Qur’an urges submission to Allah as the path to inner peace Five Pillars of Islam: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Recognize Allah as the one true God Ritual prayer Giving alms to the poor Fasting during Ramadan Making a pilgrimage to Mecca © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Global maps of Christianity and Islam © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Judaism 15 million followers National majority in Israel Jews believe that a covenant exists between God and the Jewish people The Torah emphasizes moral behaviour Four denominations 1. Orthodox are very traditional 2. Reform Judaism are churchlike 3. Conservative Judaism are in the middle ground 4. Reconstructionist Judaism blends tradition and egalitarianism Anti-Semitism: prejudice and discrimination against Jews © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Hinduism Oldest of all religions 800 Million followers Found mostly in South Asia and Africa Not linked to one person and no sacred writings Principles: – DHARMA refers to correct living – KARMA refers to belief in spiritual progress through REINCARNATION, cycle of birth and rebirth MOKSHA: state of spiritual perfection © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Buddhism 325 million followers Almost all Asians Resembles Hinduism in doctrine Inspired by Siddhartha Gautama, who achieved enlightenment, NIRVANA, and became a Buddha Daily action has spiritual consequences © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Confucianism 100s of millions of Chinese are influenced by it Confucius instructed his followers to engage in the world according to a strict code of moral conduct JEN subordination of self to moral principle No sense of sacred, rather a sense of disciplined living © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religion in Canada Roman Catholic: 43.6% Protestant: 29% “No Religion”: 16% Muslim: 2%, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh: 1% each Religiosity: the importance of religion in life 78% believe in God; 20% attend services weekly © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Figure 19-1 © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religion and Social Stratification Social Class (income) – – – Members of the Anglican Church traditionally high. Jews have highest, followed by Protestants. Catholics and others are below average income. Ethnicity – – Tied to religion in world but every ethnic group has some diversity Particular links are related to types of immigration, e.g., Russian Jews, and Greek Orthodox © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religion in a Changing Society Secularization: historical decline in importance of the supernatural and sacred Civil religion: quasi-religious loyalty to a secular society, or one’s way of life Spirituality without formal religion: “new age” Religious revival: membership and church going has plummeted over the last decades (Cont’d) © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. Religion in a Changing Society (Cont’d) Fundamentalism: conservative doctrine that opposes intellectualism and worldly accommodation – – – – – – Interprets texts literally Rejects religious pluralism Pursues the personal experience of God’s presence Opposes “secular humanism” Endorses conservative political goals Is not as strong in Canada as the U.S. and elsewhere © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc.