chapter 14 supernatural beliefs. what we will learn what is religion? what functions does religion...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 14
Supernatural Beliefs
What We Will Learn What is religion? What functions does religion perform for
the individual and the society as a whole? What different forms does religion take
among the societies of the world? What role does religion play in the
process of culture change?
Defining Religion A set of beliefs in supernatural forces
directed at helping people make sense of the world and solve problems.
All forms of religion are founded on a belief in the supernatural.
Religion in Societies All societies have:
religious rituals that appease supernatural forces
sets of beliefs concerning what we would call the soul
notions about life after death.
Origins of Religion Tools, weapons, and artifacts found in
Neanderthal graves led anthropologists to conclude that they believed in an afterlife.
Paleolithic art includes religious symbols that may have appeared as early as 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.
Religion and MagicSimilarities: Both are systems of supernatural belief
and cannot be empirically demonstrated. Both must be accepted as a matter of
faith. Both are practiced as a way of coping
with the anxieties, ambiguities, and frustrations of everyday life.
Religion and Magic
Differences: Religion deals with the major issues of human
existence: the meaning of life, death, and one’s spiritual relationship with deities.
Magic is directed toward specific immediate problems: curing an illness, bringing rain, or ensuring safety on a long journey.
Religion and MagicDifferences: Religion uses prayer and sacrifices to
appeal to supernatural powers for assistance.
Magic attempts to manipulate nature or other people by their own efforts.
Religion tends to be a group activity; magic is more individually oriented.
Religion and MagicDifferences: Religion is practiced at a specified time,
magic is practiced in response to specific and immediate problems.
Religion usually involves officially recognized functionaries such as priests.
Magic may be performed by practitioners who may not be recognized as having supernatural powers.
Myths Sacred literature that states certain
religious truths. Include stories of the gods, their origins,
their activities, and the moral injunctions they teach.
A culture’s mythology is closely connected to its moral and social order.
Social Functions of Religion Social control Conflict resolution Intensifying group solidarity
Psychological Functions of Religion Cognitive
provides an intellectual framework for explaining parts of our world that we do not understand.
Emotional helps reduce anxiety by prescribing
straightforward ways of coping with stress.
Classifying Religions: Anthony Wallace Based on level of specialization of the religious
personnel who conduct rituals and ceremonies. Cult refers to forms of religion that have their
own beliefs, rituals, and goals: Individualistic cults Shamanistic Cults Communal Cults Ecclesiastical Cults
Characteristics of Different Religious Organizations
Role SpecializationSubsistence
PatternExample
IndividualisticNo role
specializationFood collector Crow vision quest
ShamanisticPart-time
specializationFood collector Pastoralism
Tungus shamanism
Characteristics of Different Religious Organizations
Role SpecializationSubsistence
PatternExample
CommunalGroups perform
rites for community
Horticulture Totemistic rituals
EcclesiasticalFull-time
specialization in hierarchy
Horticulture/Pastoralism
Christianity and Buddhism
Religion in the U.S. Roman Catholicism is the largest with 24% of
the adult population. Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant
comprising 220 denominations, represent 36% of the adult population.
Approximately 1.5% of the population is Jewish.
Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the U.S. with 1% of the adult population.
Religious “Outlook” for Americans 3 out of 4 Americans claim their general
“outlook” is religious or somewhat religious. 16% claim to have a secular or somewhat
secular outlook. Women (42%) are more likely than men (31%)
to describe their outlook as religious. Older adults are more likely than younger adults
to describe their outlook as religious.
Religion and Social Change When societies experience high stress,
new religions may create social change. These include:
Nativistic movements, found among American Indians.
Cargo cults, found in Melanesia. Millenarian movements found in
Christian areas of the world.
Revitalization Movements Aim to add new life and purpose into the
society. Tend to occur during times of cultural
stress brought about by: rapid change foreign domination perceived deprivation
Revitalization Movements: Process A society is pushed out of equilibrium by such
forces as conquest and social domination. People become disillusioned, the culture
becomes disorganized Revitalization movements promise an effort to
bring about a more satisfying society. Some call for a return to the better days of the
past; others seek to establish a completely new social order.
Quick Quiz
1. ______ is a set of beliefs in supernatural beings and forces directed at helping people make sense of the world and solve important problems.
a) Belief
b) Religion
c) Ritual
d) Superstition
Answer: b Religion is a set of beliefs in supernatural
beings and forces directed at helping people make sense of the world and solve important problems.
2. _______ involves the manipulation of supernatural forces for the purpose of intervening in a wide range of human activities and natural events.
a) Magic
b) Witchcraft
c) Sorcery
d) Religion
Answer: a Magic involves the manipulation of
supernatural forces for the purpose of intervening in a wide range of human activities and natural events.
3. Unlike magic or witchcraft, ________, stories of a culture's gods, their origins, and such, serve to explain the large questions surrounding human existence.
a) legends
b) myths
c) religion
d) tales
Answer: b Unlike magic or witchcraft, myths, stories
of a culture's gods, their origins, and such, serve to explain the large questions surrounding human existence.
4. By helping individuals cope with the anxieties often accompanying deaths, accidents, illnesses and other misfortunes, religion serves a/an:
a) group identity function.
b) cognitive function.
c) positive function.
d) emotional function.
correct: d By helping individuals cope with the
anxieties often accompanying deaths, accidents, illnesses and other misfortunes, religion serves a/an emotional function.
5. The most complex form of religion is the ________, which is commonly found in societies with state systems of government.
a) individual cult
b) communal cult
c) ecclesiastical cult
d) shamanistic cult
Answer: c The most complex form of religion is the
ecclesiastical cult, which is commonly found in societies with state systems of government.