Chapter 15 - Religion

Question 1

What does religion do for people?

Answer 1

Give meaning to life, heals deal with mortality, helps us feel connected to others, can provide guidance

Question 2

What do sociologists say about religion?

Answer 2

Sociologists will say that the content and strength of our religious beliefs are influenced by the structure of society and our place in it.

Question 3

What should sociologists not do when it comes to religion?

Answer 3

Never question any particular religion and practice

Question 4

How many Canadians adults believe in a God/universal spirit?

Answer 4

7 in 10

Question 5

As the importance of religion in people’s lives have decreased, what has grown in importance?

Answer 5

Institutions such as medicine, the criminal justice system and education

Question 6

What was Emile Durkheims approach to religion?

Answer 6

When we share common thoughts and values with those we live with, they form what is called a COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE that is larger than any individual.

Question 7

What is a collective conscience?

Answer 7

comprises the common sentiments and values that people share as a result of living together.

Question 8

What are totems?

Answer 8

are symbols of the sacred
(ie: the Stanley Cup)

Question 9

What are public rituals?

Answer 9

Are enacted based on strict rules and
conventions.

Question 10

What were the two main criticisms Femnist and Conflict theorists had with Durkheim’s theory?

Answer 10

1) Durkheim’s theory exaggerates religion’s role in maintaining social cohesion – Religion often provokes social conflict.
2) His theory ignores the fact that when religion does increase social cohesion, it often reinforces social inequality.

Question 11

What 3 ways can social inequality emerge in religion?

Answer 11

1) Subordination of Women
2) Class Inequality
3) Social Conflict

Question 12

What are the 5 major world religions?

Answer 12

Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Budhism, Hinduism

Question 13

What do the 5 major world religions all have in common?

Answer 13

charismatic leadership

Question 14

What is charismatic leadership?

Answer 14

A form of professional guidance or management built on a foundation of strong communication skills, persuasiveness, and maybe even a little bit of charm to help them get the most out of everyone that works for them.

Question 15

What is Routinized?

Answer 15

Term coined by Max weber which means the transformation of divine enlightenment into a permanent feature of everyday life.

Question 16

What is an example of religion and social conflict?

Answer 16

In the 1950’s and 60’s, Black churches
Spearheaded the civil right movement.
Their ministers formed the leadership
And their congregations protested

Question 17

What are symbolic interactionalists approach on religion?

Answer 17

Working hard, and being frugal and punctual in everyday life might help to quell the religious anxieties people had about the predestination of their lives.

Question 18

What is the secularization thesis?

Answer 18

religious institutions, actions, and consciousness are on the decline worldwide and will one day disappear altogether.

Question 19

What is the revised secularization thesis?

Answer 19

holds that the importance of religion is diminishing in some parts of the world while remaining stable or declining in other parts.

Question 20

What is the market theory?

Answer 20

This view sees religion as a market, much like the economy. Religions are suppliers, compete with one another to meet demand, and success is determined by success in ther market.

Question 21

What are examples of religious intolerance?

Answer 21

In China, over a million
Uighurs Muslims have
Been detained in detention
Centres for “re-education”

India: a turn towards Hindu
Nationalism poses a risk for
Its 2 largest minority religions,
Islam and Christianity.