Chapter Chapter 1616

ReligionReligion

Chapter OutlineChapter Outline

• Classical Approaches in the Sociology of Classical Approaches in the Sociology of ReligionReligion

• The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of The Rise, Decline, and Partial Revival of ReligionReligion

• The Structure of Religion in the worldThe Structure of Religion in the world

• World ReligionsWorld Religions

• ReligiosityReligiosity

• The Future of ReligionThe Future of Religion

Durkheim’s TheoryDurkheim’s Theoryof Religionof Religion

• According to Durkheim, when people According to Durkheim, when people live together, they come to share live together, they come to share common sentiments and values. common sentiments and values.

• These form a These form a collective consciencecollective conscience that is larger than any individual.that is larger than any individual.

• When we experience the collective When we experience the collective conscience directly, we can distinguish conscience directly, we can distinguish the daily world of the the daily world of the profaneprofane from the from the transcendent world of the transcendent world of the sacredsacred..

Durkheim’s TheoryDurkheim’s Theoryof Religionof Religion

• Totems - certain objects as Totems - certain objects as symbolizing the sacred.symbolizing the sacred.

• Rituals - Rituals - public practices we public practices we invent to connect us with the invent to connect us with the sacred. sacred.

• The function of rituals and of The function of rituals and of religion as a whole is to reinforce religion as a whole is to reinforce social solidarity.social solidarity.

Durkheim’s Theory and the Durkheim’s Theory and the Super BowlSuper Bowl

• Durkheim would consider the Durkheim would consider the Super Bowl trophy and the team Super Bowl trophy and the team logo to be logo to be totemstotems..

• The game itself is a public The game itself is a public ritualritual..

• The game is a sacred event in The game is a sacred event in Durkheim’s terms because it Durkheim’s terms because it increases social solidarity and increases social solidarity and cements society. cements society.

Criticisms of DurkheimCriticisms of Durkheim

• Conflict and feminist theorists Conflict and feminist theorists have two criticisms against have two criticisms against Durkheim:Durkheim:

1.1. Overemphasizes religion’s role in Overemphasizes religion’s role in maintaining social cohesion, when maintaining social cohesion, when religion often incites social religion often incites social conflict.conflict.

2.2. Ignores the fact that when religion Ignores the fact that when religion increases social cohesion, it often increases social cohesion, it often reinforces social inequality.reinforces social inequality.

QuestionQuestion

• The sacred refers to:The sacred refers to:a.a. common sentiments and values that people common sentiments and values that people

share as a result of living in the same societyshare as a result of living in the same society

b.b. the secular, everyday worldthe secular, everyday world

c.c. the religious, transcendent worldthe religious, transcendent world

d.d. public practices designed to connect people public practices designed to connect people to the transcendent worldto the transcendent world

Answer: cAnswer: c

• The sacred refers to The sacred refers to the religious, the religious, transcendent world.transcendent world.

Civil ReligionCivil Religion

• A set of beliefs and A set of beliefs and practices that bind a practices that bind a population together and population together and justify its way of life.justify its way of life.

Weber: A Symbolic Weber: A Symbolic Interactionist InterpretationInteractionist Interpretation

• Max Weber stressed the way Max Weber stressed the way religion can contribute to social religion can contribute to social change.change.

• Weber captured the core of his Weber captured the core of his argument in an image:argument in an image:– If history is like a train, pushed along its If history is like a train, pushed along its

tracks by economic and political tracks by economic and political interests, then religious ideas are like interests, then religious ideas are like railroad switches, determining exactly railroad switches, determining exactly which tracks the train will follow.which tracks the train will follow.

Weber: A Symbolic Weber: A Symbolic Interactionist InterpretationInteractionist Interpretation

• For Weber, a combination of factors For Weber, a combination of factors prompted capitalist development in prompted capitalist development in non-Catholic Europe and North non-Catholic Europe and North America:America:

•favorable economic conditions favorable economic conditions

•the spread of certain moral values by the spread of certain moral values by the Protestant reformers of the 16th the Protestant reformers of the 16th century and their followers.century and their followers.

Weber and the Weber and the Protestant EthicProtestant Ethic

• Weber wrote that followers of Protestant Weber wrote that followers of Protestant theologian Calvin stressed the need to theologian Calvin stressed the need to engage in worldly activity and display engage in worldly activity and display industry, punctuality, and frugality.industry, punctuality, and frugality.

• People could assure a state of grace by People could assure a state of grace by working diligently and living simply.working diligently and living simply.

• In contrast, Buddhism and Confucianism In contrast, Buddhism and Confucianism hindered worldly success in competition hindered worldly success in competition and capital accumulation.and capital accumulation.

QuestionQuestion

• Weber recognized:Weber recognized:a.a. importance of the economic factor in importance of the economic factor in

explaining the rise of capitalismexplaining the rise of capitalismb.b. one-sidedness of any exclusively economic one-sidedness of any exclusively economic

interpretation of the rise of capitalisminterpretation of the rise of capitalismc.c. role of certain Protestant moral values in role of certain Protestant moral values in

stimulating the rise of capitalism in stimulating the rise of capitalism in Western Europe and North AmericaWestern Europe and North America

d.d. b. and c.b. and c.

Answer: dAnswer: d

• Weber recognized the Weber recognized the one-one-sidedness of any exclusively sidedness of any exclusively economic interpretation of the economic interpretation of the rise of capitalismrise of capitalism and the and the role of role of certain Protestant moral values certain Protestant moral values in stimulating the rise of in stimulating the rise of capitalism in Western Europe capitalism in Western Europe and North Americaand North America..

Secularization Thesis of Secularization Thesis of ReligionReligion

• Religious institutions, actions, and Religious institutions, actions, and consciousness are on the decline. consciousness are on the decline.

• Critics: Critics: – There has been a religious revival in There has been a religious revival in

the U.S. over the past 30 years. the U.S. over the past 30 years. – Survey evidence shows religion in the Survey evidence shows religion in the

U.S. is resilient.U.S. is resilient.

% Who Think Religion Is Very % Who Think Religion Is Very Important, 44 CountriesImportant, 44 Countries

Social Condition of ReligionSocial Condition of Religion

QuestionQuestion

• How confident are you in organized How confident are you in organized religion?religion?

GSS National DataGSS National Data

EducationEducationNo High No High School School DiplomaDiploma

High School High School GraduateGraduate

College College EducationEducation

Great DealGreat Deal 30.5%30.5% 27%27% 22.6%22.6%

Only SomeOnly Some 46.8%46.8% 51.2%51.2% 55.3%55.3%

Hardly AnyHardly Any 22.7%22.7% 21.8%21.8% 22.2%22.2%

FundamentalistsFundamentalists

• Fundamentalists interpret their Fundamentalists interpret their scriptures literally, seek to establish scriptures literally, seek to establish a direct, personal relationship with a direct, personal relationship with the higher being(s) they worship, are the higher being(s) they worship, are relatively intolerant of relatively intolerant of nonfundamentalists, and often nonfundamentalists, and often support conservative social issues.support conservative social issues.

FundamentalistsFundamentalists

• Example: attitudes toward abortion Example: attitudes toward abortion – In 2000 23% of Americans identifying In 2000 23% of Americans identifying

themselves as fundamentalists agreed that themselves as fundamentalists agreed that abortion is acceptable if “the woman wants it abortion is acceptable if “the woman wants it for any reason.” for any reason.”

– 43% of Americans who identify as part of 43% of Americans who identify as part of moderate or liberal denominations agreed with moderate or liberal denominations agreed with the statement.the statement.

QuestionQuestion

• Do you believe that the Bible is the Do you believe that the Bible is the actual word of God, to be taken actual word of God, to be taken literally word for word? literally word for word?

a.a. YesYes

b.b. NoNo

Revised Secularization Revised Secularization ThesisThesis

• Holds that worldly institutions break Holds that worldly institutions break off from the institution of religion off from the institution of religion over time.over time.

• As a result, religion governs an ever As a result, religion governs an ever smaller part of most people’s lives smaller part of most people’s lives and becomes largely a matter of and becomes largely a matter of personal choice.personal choice.

Perceived Adequacy of the Church in Perceived Adequacy of the Church in 12 Postindustrial Countries12 Postindustrial Countries

Is the church giving adequate answers to:Is the church giving adequate answers to:

CountryCountry Moral ProblemsMoral Problems Family ProblemsFamily Problems

United StatesUnited States 6767 7070

IrelandIreland 4242 3636

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland 5555 5959

CanadaCanada 5555 5555

Perceived Adequacy of the Church in Perceived Adequacy of the Church in 12 Postindustrial Countries12 Postindustrial Countries

Is the church giving adequate answers to:Is the church giving adequate answers to:

CountryCountry Moral ProblemsMoral Problems Family ProblemsFamily Problems

ItalyItaly 5252 4545

SpainSpain 4343 4343

BelgiumBelgium 4242 3737

BritainBritain 3636 3838

Perceived Adequacy of the Church in Perceived Adequacy of the Church in 12 Postindustrial Countries12 Postindustrial Countries

Is the church giving adequate answers to:Is the church giving adequate answers to:

CountryCountry Moral ProblemsMoral Problems Family ProblemsFamily Problems

West GermanyWest Germany 4040 3434

NetherlandsNetherlands 3636 3333

FranceFrance 3838 2828

DenmarkDenmark 2020 1313

QuestionQuestion

• Revised secularization thesis focuses on:Revised secularization thesis focuses on:a.a. ““re-enchantment” of the worldre-enchantment” of the world

b.b. restriction of religion to just the spiritual part of restriction of religion to just the spiritual part of peoplepeople’’s livess lives

c.c. the way religion has become a personal and the way religion has become a personal and private matter rather than one imposed by private matter rather than one imposed by institutionsinstitutions

d.d. all of these choicesall of these choices

Answer: bAnswer: b

• The revised secularization thesis The revised secularization thesis focuses on focuses on the restriction of the restriction of religion to just the spiritual part religion to just the spiritual part of peopleof people’’s livess lives..

Church, Sect, and CultChurch, Sect, and Cult

Integration into societyIntegration into society BureaucratizationBureaucratization

ChurchChurch HighHigh HighHigh

SectSect Medium Medium LowLow

CultCult LowLow LowLow

Church, Sect, and CultChurch, Sect, and Cult

LongevityLongevity LeadersLeaders

ChurchChurch HighHigh Formally trainedFormally trained

SectSect LowLow CharismaticCharismatic

CultCult LowLow CharismaticCharismatic

Religious Preference U.S., 2002Religious Preference U.S., 2002

Religious Preference by Class, United States, Religious Preference by Class, United States, 20022002

QuestionQuestion

• What is your current religious What is your current religious affiliation?affiliation?

a.a. ProtestantProtestantb.b. CatholicCatholicc.c. JewishJewishd.d. NoneNonee.e. OtherOther

Five Major World ReligionsFive Major World Religions

• Similar in three ways:Similar in three ways:

1.1. With the exception of Hinduism, With the exception of Hinduism, charismatic leaders helped to turn charismatic leaders helped to turn them into world religions.them into world religions.

2.2. With the exception of Hinduism, all With the exception of Hinduism, all had egalitarian and emancipatory had egalitarian and emancipatory messages at their origins. messages at their origins.

3.3. Over time, the charismatic Over time, the charismatic leadership of the world religions leadership of the world religions became routinized.became routinized.

Routinization of CharismaRoutinization of Charisma• Weber’s term for the transformation Weber’s term for the transformation

of divine enlightenment into a of divine enlightenment into a permanent feature of everyday life. permanent feature of everyday life.

• Involves turning religious inspiration Involves turning religious inspiration into a stable social institution with into a stable social institution with defined roles, such as interpreters of defined roles, such as interpreters of the divine message, teachers, dues-the divine message, teachers, dues-paying laypeople, and so forth. paying laypeople, and so forth.

• Involves the weakening of the ideals Involves the weakening of the ideals of freedom and equality. of freedom and equality.

Formation of World Formation of World Religions: Four ConclusionsReligions: Four Conclusions

1.1. New world religions are founded by New world religions are founded by charismatic personalities in times of charismatic personalities in times of great trouble.great trouble.

2.2. The founding of new religions is The founding of new religions is typically animated by the desire for typically animated by the desire for freedom and equality in the afterlife, freedom and equality in the afterlife, and in this life.and in this life.

3.3. Routinization of charisma makes Routinization of charisma makes religion less responsive to ordinary religion less responsive to ordinary people, and supports injustices. people, and supports injustices.

4.4. New world religions could emerge in New world religions could emerge in the future.the future.

QuestionQuestion

• How often do you attend religious How often do you attend religious services?services?

GSS National DataGSS National Data

Age Age <30<30 30-4930-49 50 and Up50 and Up

NeverNever 20.6%20.6% 17.2%17.2% 17%17%

MonthlyMonthly/Yearly/Yearly

58.8%58.8% 53.9%53.9% 41.5%41.5%

WeeklyWeekly 20.6%20.6% 28.9%28.9% 41.5%41.5%

GSS National DataGSS National Data

Race Race WhiteWhite BlackBlack

NeverNever 18.9%18.9% 10.7%10.7%

MonthlyMonthly/Yearly/Yearly

50%50% 52.3%52.3%

WeeklyWeekly 31.2%31.2% 37%37%

The Future of ReligionThe Future of Religion

• Secularization is one of the two Secularization is one of the two dominant trends influencing religion dominant trends influencing religion throughout the world.throughout the world.

– Between 1972 and 2002, the percent Between 1972 and 2002, the percent of Americans expressing no religious of Americans expressing no religious preference increased from 5 to 14%.preference increased from 5 to 14%.

– People attending religious services People attending religious services once a month or more fell from 57 to once a month or more fell from 57 to 47%47%

The Future of ReligionThe Future of Religion

• Even as secularization grips many Even as secularization grips many people, many others in the United people, many others in the United States and throughout the world have States and throughout the world have been caught up by a religious revival.been caught up by a religious revival.

• The two contradictory social processes The two contradictory social processes of secularization and revival are likely of secularization and revival are likely to persist, resulting in a world that is to persist, resulting in a world that is neither more religious nor more neither more religious nor more secular, but one that is more polarized.secular, but one that is more polarized.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz

1. Which of the following is a criticism 1. Which of the following is a criticism frequently lodged against Durkheim's frequently lodged against Durkheim's theory of religion?theory of religion?a.a. Religion often heightens the sense of Religion often heightens the sense of

belonging to certain groups.belonging to certain groups.

b.b. Religion often incites social conflict.Religion often incites social conflict.

c.c. Religion often reinforces social inequality.Religion often reinforces social inequality.

d.d. Religion often incites social conflict, and Religion often incites social conflict, and religion often reinforces social inequalityreligion often reinforces social inequality

Answer: dAnswer: d

• The ideas that The ideas that religion often religion often incites social conflict, and incites social conflict, and religion often reinforces social religion often reinforces social inequalityinequality are criticisms frequently are criticisms frequently lodged against Durkheim's theory of lodged against Durkheim's theory of religion.religion.

2. A civil religion is:2. A civil religion is:a.a. a religion that encourages its members to a religion that encourages its members to

participate actively in the political arenaparticipate actively in the political arenab.b. a religion that does not discriminate on a religion that does not discriminate on

the basis of race, class, gender, or sexual the basis of race, class, gender, or sexual orientationorientation

c.c. a religion that contributes to social changea religion that contributes to social changed.d. a set of quasi-religious beliefs and a set of quasi-religious beliefs and

practices that binds the population and practices that binds the population and justifies its way of lifejustifies its way of life

Answer: dAnswer: d

• A civil religion is a A civil religion is a set of quasi-set of quasi-religious beliefs and practices religious beliefs and practices that binds the population and that binds the population and justifies its way of life.justifies its way of life.

3. According to the secularization thesis:3. According to the secularization thesis:a.a. religious institutions, actions, and religious institutions, actions, and

conscious are on the decline worldwideconscious are on the decline worldwideb.b. religious institutions, actions, and religious institutions, actions, and

conscious are likely to disappear in the conscious are likely to disappear in the near futurenear future

c.c. religiosity is negatively correlated with religiosity is negatively correlated with level of economic developmentlevel of economic development

d.d. Communist governments, which promoted Communist governments, which promoted atheism, lowered the level of religiosity in atheism, lowered the level of religiosity in their countriestheir countries

Answer : aAnswer : a

• According to the secularization According to the secularization thesis: thesis: religious institutions, religious institutions, actions, and conscious are on actions, and conscious are on the decline worldwide.the decline worldwide.

4. Which of the following is not a 4. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a cult?characteristic of a cult?a.a. Cults are groups of people committed to a Cults are groups of people committed to a

religious vision that rejects mainstream religious vision that rejects mainstream culture and society.culture and society.

b.b. Cults are generally led by charismatic Cults are generally led by charismatic individuals.individuals.

c.c. Cults tend to recruit members from all Cults tend to recruit members from all segments of the stratification system.segments of the stratification system.

d.d. Cults tend to disappear after a relatively Cults tend to disappear after a relatively short period of time.short period of time.

Answer: cAnswer: c

• The following is not a characteristic The following is not a characteristic of a cult:of a cult:

– Cults tend to recruit members Cults tend to recruit members from all segments of the from all segments of the stratification system.stratification system.

5. The routinization of charisma is 5. The routinization of charisma is Weber's term for the Weber's term for the transformation of divine transformation of divine enlightenment into a permanent enlightenment into a permanent feature of everyday life.feature of everyday life.a. Truea. True

b. Falseb. False

Answer: aAnswer: a

• The routinization of charisma is The routinization of charisma is Weber's term for the Weber's term for the transformation of divine transformation of divine enlightenment into a permanent enlightenment into a permanent feature of everyday life.feature of everyday life.