© 2005 pearson education canada inc. chapter 19 religion

© 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc.

Chapter 19

Religion


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


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.


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


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 abuseCritical evaluation: religion can promote change: helped abolish slavery and promoted civil rights Helped develop Canada’s social safety net


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


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


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.


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


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. Recognize Allah as the one true God2. Ritual prayer3. Giving alms to the poor4. Fasting during Ramadan5. Making a pilgrimage to Mecca


Global maps of Christianity and Islam


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 traditional2. Reform Judaism are churchlike3. Conservative Judaism are in the middle ground4. Reconstructionist Judaism blends tradition and egalitarianism

Anti-Semitism: prejudice and discrimination against Jews


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


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


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


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


Figure 19-1


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


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)


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. chapter 19 religion

Documents