Module 6 (Religion as a Social Institution) Flashcards
according to edward b taylor, religion is the belief in what?
Religion is the “belief in spiritual beings.”
why study religion?
Understanding religion is key to understanding any culture due to its pervasive historical presence and influence on social conflicts and values.
according to emile durkheim, religion is what?
Religion is a “unified system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things, creating a moral community.”
Patterns of beliefs and behaviors that help societies meet their basic needs.
Religion as a Social Institution
How do people commonly associate religion?
Places of worship, practices, or guiding concepts.
What common agreement exists about religion?
It is a system of beliefs, values, and practices concerning what is sacred or spiritually significant.
Why is religion considered both personal and social?
Individual beliefs can be highly personal, but religion also functions as an organized, integrated social institution.
What makes religion a cultural universal?
It is found in all social groups and cultures.
How do funeral rites illustrate religion as a cultural universal?
Every culture practices funeral rites with common elements, despite variations in customs.
What are some common elements of funeral rites?
Announcement of death, care of the deceased, disposition, and ceremony or ritual.
Why are universals and differences in religious practices important for sociological study?
They provide rich material to understand social organization and cultural norms.
different terms in religion distinguished by sociologists
religious experience, religious belief, religious rituals
refers to the conviction or sensation that one is connected to “the divine.” this type of communion might be experienced when people are praying or meditating.
religious experience
are specific ideas that members of a particular faith hold to be true, such as that Jesus Christ was the son of God, or believing in reincarnation. another illustration of religious beliefs is that different religions adhere to certain stories of world creation.
religious belief
different forms of beliefs in the divine
animism, monotheism, and polytheism.
the earliest form of religion, it is the belief that physical things are occupied by spirits.
animism
the belief in the existence of one god
monotheism
the belief in the existence of many gods
polytheism
these are behaviors or practices that are either required or expected of the members of a particular group, such as bar mitzvah or confession
religious rituals
One of the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Followers of this religion believe in one God who revealed himself
through ancient prophets.
judaism
Who is considered the founder of Judaism?
Abraham
What name do Jewish people use for God?
Yahweh
How did Judaism begin according to tradition?
God (Yahweh) spoke to Abraham.
What type of religion is Judaism?
Monotheistic
How do Jewish people view their relationship with God?
They consider themselves God’s “Chosen People.”
What is the special covenant in Judaism?
There is only one God, and Jewish people have a special covenant with Him.
What do adherents of Judaism do in exchange for God’s blessings?
Keep God’s laws and try to bring holiness into every aspect of their lives.
What is the most significant religious text in Judaism?
The Torah
Who are the key figures in the origin of Judaism?
Hebrew patriarchs and Israelite prophets
Define “Patriarch” in the context of Judaism.
One of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people, e.g., Abraham.
Define “Prophet” in the context of Judaism.
One who utters divinely inspired revelations or has more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight.
How did Judaism get its name?
From one of the ancient twelve tribes of Israel, specifically the tribe that survived various conquests.
Which conquerors did the tribe of Judah survive?
The Byzantines and the ancient Persian Empire.
What are some key aspects of Jewish tradition?
Rich in traditions, rituals, and holidays.
What do Jewish holidays and rituals commemorate?
They commemorate the past, celebrate the present, and express hope for the future.
What are the three Abrahamic faiths?
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
What does the term “antisemitism” mean?
Prejudice against or hatred of Jews.
What was the state-sponsored persecution and murder of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945?
the Holocaust
Why is the Holocaust significant in the context of antisemitism?
It is history’s most extreme example of antisemitism.
considered as one of the most influential religions in history and currently has approximately two billion followers.
Christianity
what is at the core of Christianity?
the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
three major branches of Christianity that have their own unique beliefs and practices but is generally considered under the whole of Christianity
Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism
what is the primary sacred text of Christians?
the Bible (latin: Biblia, which means books)
the Bible is made up of two parts:
The Old Testament and The New Testament
The Old Testament
prophets, nearly identical to the Jewish Bible
The New Testament
a compendium of Christian writing that include the biography of Jesus and his apostles
What is the relationship between Christianity and Judaic tradition?
The first followers of Jesus were Jewish, and Jesus himself was born in a Jewish family. Christians adhere to some Jewish practices and believe Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.
Where did Jesus gain his followers and institute the 12 apostles?
Jesus gained followers and instituted the 12 apostles during His time in Judea.
What does the term “Testament” mean in the context of the Bible?
The term “Testament” means “covenant.” It reflects the idea that both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible represent the Christian perspective that the Church is the successor to Israel as God’s chosen people.
From which religion is Christianity derived?
Christianity is derived from Judaism.
What do Christians believe about Jesus?
Christians believe that Jesus is both human and divine, and the redeemer of humankind.
Which are the three Abrahamic faiths?
The three Abrahamic faiths are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
What role did the Roman Empire play in the spread of Christianity?
The early followers of Jesus were citizens of Rome, and after His time in Judea, they spread the teachings of Christ throughout the world.
What is the significance of the Holy Bible in Christianity?
The Holy Bible, comprising both the Old and New Testaments, is considered the sacred scripture and reflects the covenant between God and His people, with the Church seen as the successor to Israel.
How did Islam begin?
Islam began when Muhammad was visited by the angel Gabriel.
When and where was Muhammad born?
Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 CE.
What tribe did Muhammad belong to, and what happened to his father?
Muhammad belonged to the powerful Quraish tribe in Mecca. His father, Abdullah, died soon after marrying Aminah, Muhammad’s mother.
Where was Muhammad visited by the angel Gabriel?
Muhammad was visited by the angel Gabriel inside a cave on Mount Nur.
What does the term “Islam” mean?
Islam means “absolute surrender or submission to the will of Allah.”
What are the fundamental pillars of Islam based on?
Islam stands on five fundamental pillars, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, and the Quran.
What is the profession of faith in Islam, stating, “There is no other God but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet.”
the Shahada
What themes did Muhammad’s teachings promote?
love, charity, compassion, almsgiving, and peace.
How does Islam view Jesus?
Islam considers Jesus a prophet, similar to Muhammad.
What did Muhammad establish besides a religion?
Muhammad established an empire that conquered Arabic countries during his time.
What is the compilation of the words of Allah as uttered by Muhammad and recorded by his followers?
the Quran
Islam is the _______ largest world religion.
Islam is the second largest world religion.
What does Islam believe in?
Islam believes in the acceptance of and obedience to the teachings of Allah, revealed through the prophet Muhammad.
What are the followers of Islam called?
Muslims
two main denominations of Islam
Sunni and Shia
five pillars of Islam
Shahada (profession of faith), Salah (five daily prayers), Zakat (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
