Transcript Chapter 14
Religion Chapter 14 Religion, Science and Sociology • Can religion and science coexist? – Because religion involves matters beyond human observation and because science is all about observation, these two institutions can potentially conflict. – Religion is a social institution – Sociologists analyze the relationship between society and religion and the role in plays in people’s lives. What is Religion? • Religion – (According to Durkheim) – “unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, uniting adherents into a moral community” • Transcendent reality – a set of meanings attached to a world beyond human observation. Three Elements of Religion 1) Beliefs that Some Things are Sacred – Sacred – entities/aspects of life that have to do with the supernatural that inspire awe, reverence, respect, fear – Profane – ordinary 2) Practices concerning this considered sacred. 3) A moral community resulting from a group’s beliefs and practices Functionalism and Religion Religion performs certain functions: • Answers questions about the ultimate meaning of life • Emotional comfort, social support • Uniting believers into a community (integrative function) • Provides guidelines for everyday life • Social Control • Adaptation • Support for the Government • Social Change – There are also dysfunctions of religion including: War and Terrorism and Religious Persecution Symbolic Interactionism and Religion Peter Berger (The Sacred Canopy, 1990): – Studied what meanings people give to their religious beliefs and what religion means to each individual – Religious Symbols Symbolic Interactionism and Religion Focus on Religious Behavior: A. Belief (religious belief) – statements to which members of particular religions adhere. - Fundamentalism B. Ritual (religious rituals) – practices required or expected of members of a faith. - Generally affirm beliefs C. Experience (religious experience) – feeling or perception of being in direct contact with God. Conflict Theory and Religion Conflict Theorists are highly critical of religion • The ruling class uses religion to justify its economic, political, and social advantage over the oppressed. • Marx saw religion as “The opium of the people” and believed that religion diverted people’s attention from the oppression they were facing • Legitimization of Social Inequalities – Social Arrangements Represent God’s Desires – Divine Rights of Kings – Pharaoh as God – Hindu Cast System Capitalism and the Protestant Ethic • Weber believed that religion sometimes encourages social change. • Capitalism involved a radical redefinition of work, it became a moral obligation rather than a necessity. – Religion Held the Key to Modernization Capitalism and the Protestant Ethic • Weber referred to the cluster of values and attitudes stressing hard work, thrift, and discipline as the Protestant ethic. • Weber found the roots of the Protestant ethic in the 17th century Puritan theology of Calvinism – a person’s fate was predetermined by God. Focus on Theoretical Perspectives: Religion World’s Major Religions • There are three major Western religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. • The two major Eastern religions are Hinduism and Buddhism. Western Religions: Judaism • Originated 4,000 Years Ago • Fundamental Change in Religion to Monotheism • Contemporary - Orthodox, Reform, Conservative • Certain practices, such as dietary restrictions, observance of Sabbath, and religious holidays are, however, binding in traditional Judaism. • About 17 million followers of Judaism, 5 million of whom reside in Israel; remainder found mainly in Eastern Europe, 80 percent of the world’s Jews US and Israel. Western Religions: Christianity • Also Monotheistic • Believe Jesus Christ is Messiah – Born in Poverty to a Virgin – At about 30 Jesus Began Teaching • Belief in Christ’s resurrection • Christianity is the world’s largest and most diverse religion: with more than 2 billion followers. Western Religions: Islam • World’s Third Monotheistic Religion – shares its Abrahamic origin with Jews and Christians • Founded by Muhammad (Born in Mecca) • About Age 40 had Visions from God – Visions and Teachings Written in Koran • World’s Fastest Growing Religion – About 1.6 billion followers • All Muslims subscribe to the Five Pillars of Islam: – a declaration of faith, • accepting the authenticity of Muhammad as God’s Prophet – a commitment to pray five times each day, – charity, – to keep the fast of Ramadan, – and a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia once in lifetime. Eastern Religions: Hinduism • No Specific Founder • Chief Religion in India for 2,000 - 4,000 Years • No Canonical Scripture – an ancient oral tradition not committed to writing until the Middle Ages. • Brahmanas, Bhagavad-Gita, and Upanishads Expound Moral Virtues • People Make Sacrifices to gods • Polytheistic - Many gods • Central Belief is Karma - Spiritual Progress • No Final Judgment - Reincarnation • Spiritual Perfection Results in Nirvana • About 780 million Hindus today. Nearly all Hindus live in South Asia, particularly India, whose population is 80 % Hindu. Eastern Religions: Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama Founded in about 600 B.C. – Buddhism originated in sixth-century B.C.E. India as an alternative interpretation of Hinduism • Four Noble Truths – Existence is Suffering – Origin of Suffering is Desire – Suffering Ceases when Desire Ceases – Follow “Noble Eightfold Path” to End Desire • Enlightenment - a state individually attained; achieved through intense meditation and good deeds. • Buddhists, numbering approximately 360 million, are concentrated in the Far East and Southeast Asia. Religion in the U.S. • Religious participation goes up as one ages • 94 % of Americans believe that there is a God • Importance of religion in one’s life How US Adults Identify with Religion Religion in the US • Toleration • Fundamentalist Revival • The Electronic Church • Secularization The Future of Religion • Religion Thrives • People will Always Ponder the Purpose of Life • Science Cannot Tell Us About – The Existence of God – The Purpose of Life – An Afterlife – Morality