Chapter 9 (Science and Religion)

Question 1

True or False: Religion and science are both belief systems

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Define Beliefs

Answer 2

Any proposition thought to be true

Question 3

Define Systems

Answer 3

cohesive set of interrelated beliefs

Question 4

True or False: Science and religion both deviantized, and do not deviantize others

Answer 4

False: they are both deviantized and deviantize others

Question 5

What 2 factors lead to the study of religion by sociologists?

Answer 5

1. the belief that we live in a secular society

2. Marxist influence: religion is the opium of the people

Question 6

What major three things does religion have an influence over in our social life?

Answer 6

1. How people vote
2. Financial decisions
3. Our view on social issues

Question 7

What is the dominant religion in Canada?

Answer 7

Christianity

Question 8

True or False: Most Canadians remain affiliated with their parents religion

Answer 8

True

Question 9

How is the religious demographic changing in Canada?

Answer 9

1. Increased reporting of ‘no religious affiliation’
2. 1980s saw a 144% increase in “other” religions
3. immigration policies have increased diversity

Question 10

Define Secularization

Answer 10

Process by which religion loses its influence

Question 11

Is Canada secularized? Explain.

Answer 11

Yes: Public schools don’t pray; stores are open on Sundays
No: Christian holidays are publicly funded; the Charter; swear on bible in courts

Question 12

What was the Quiet Revolution?

Answer 12

1960’s Quebecois abandoned the church; saw it as oppressive and irrelevant

Question 13

In essence, what do definitional problems with religion address?

Answer 13

If you’re religious and spiritual, you’re at the top. If you have only one, then you are missing something.

Question 14

What are the traditional classifications of religious groups?

Answer 14

Ecclesia (everything is defined by religion), Churches, Sects, Cults

Question 15

How do we determine what groups are likely to be deviantized?

Answer 15

It’s a function of a level of tension between different groups. If you’re not a certain religion, you’re othered. Self segregation is also a factor.

Question 16

Explain the deviance of sects

Answer 16

Both require that people are absolutely obedient. Less deviantized if there is some investment in society (eg, jehovah’s witnesses) where they establish a presence

Question 17

What is a Denominational Sect?

Answer 17

sect that is increasingly integrated into larger society and may be considered a denomination of a larger church

Question 18

Explain the deviance of cults

Answer 18

Cults often form around some crazy, but charismatic leader with some crazy message. Cults are more deviant, because they separate themselves from mainstream society. They are often in tension with mainstream society.

Question 19

What are the three social controls of deviant religions?

Answer 19

Governments, anti cult and anti counter cult movements, and media.

Question 20

Explain Cults and the media, and explain a “cult menace” frame

Answer 20

In the 60’s the media created a “cult menace” frame which was characterized by: 1. use of one sided sources
2. superficial coverage
3. employment of sensationalist stereotypes
4. over-reporting of atypical events
Overall, media can construct cults are “folk devils” which can lead to moral panics.

Question 21

List the characteristics of the Cult Narrative created by the media

Answer 21

1. Members shown wearing distinctive clothing
2. Cults are located in isolated areas- eg farm
3. Members shown living in communes
4. Groups’ belief systems are often portrayed as delusional
5. Groups peculiarities (in belief or practices) are made visible- eg group chanting in public park

Question 22

What is a counter cult movement?

Answer 22

Often oppose religious freedom, focus is on groups who interpret the bible incorrectly, primarily focused on getting more adherents in their own faith, and since they are deviantized, they are less powerful than anti cult groups.

Question 23

What are Anti Cult groups?

Answer 23

Newer, act only on their belief that cults are destructive (eg. parents of hippie kids in the 60s)

Question 24

How does our law serve to socially control religion?

Answer 24

The Charter:
Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms, and Fundamental Freedoms (including “freedom of conscience and religion”)
But really, we don’t know what it means to be part of a multi cultural society because wyte people suck.

Question 25

List the three examples where religion serves as the deviantizer

Answer 25

Witch Persecutions (Christian), Residential Schools (Christian), Victorian Child Savers - removal of children from their homes (protestant led, social gospel movement)

Question 26

What are the two ways that science is deviant?

Answer 26

Misconduct, and Pseudo-science

Question 27

Explain science misconduct

Answer 27

scientific practices deemed unacceptable or inappropriate because they intentionally manipulate research outcomes (plagiarism, data falsification).
Most common in biomed research. Overall, extremely common. Stem people are just as evil

Question 28

What are the two theories that explain scientific misconduct?

Answer 28

Bad Apple theory: claims acts of scientific misconduct are rare
Iceberg Theory: of the cases we know, it’s the tip of the iceberg. It gets worse. This argues it’s a structural problem within institution.

Question 29

Expand on the Iceberg Theory

Answer 29

There is a lot of pressure to publish, there is publishing bias (

Question 30

Discuss pseudo science, and explain Alan Young’s study.

Answer 30

Deals with the social construction of science: what is legit science changes over time.
Young: Harmony of Delusions: Inventing PTSD (1995) - PTSD is an invention, and the the term constitutes the experience (labelling it as a condition was a means of lessening the financial blow to the government after the vietnam war)

Question 31

How does Science Deviantize others

Answer 31

Social Darwinism: based on belief that humans evolve from primitive to more civilized - referenced to rationalize colonization, eugenics programs

Medical/Psychiatric Diagnoses: labelling, puts the “blame” on patients