Religion Flashcards
Religion - Durkheim’s Definition
Durkheim defines it as a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things; things are set apart and forbidden, which unite into one single moral community called a Church, and people adhere to them
Congregations
Groups of followers who worship together
Followers
Those who believe in the principles of a religion
Prophet
An individual who’s seen as particularly holy to a religious group (ex. Moses)
Profane Things
Mundane, unexceptional “everyday” objects
Sacred Things
Objects that have special powers and deserve special attention
Religion General Definition
A social institution that involves a belief system and practices about what is sacred that’s held by a group of people
Religious Experiences
Feelings of extreme religiosity. It results from enthusiasm; people feel connected in a larger social group
Protestant Ethic and who coined it?
Max Weber stated that protestant ethic made its believers better suited to capitalism. The belief system is created to support capitalism and the economy because it ties hard work with being saved
Ascetic Protestantism
Protestant ethic is the result of ascetic Protestantism, where people believed only a small number of people would be saved for eternity (predestination)
People looked for signs that they were chosen, so they worked a lot, while openly enjoying wealth was considered a sin. “Opiate of the masses”
Deist
Someone who believes in a supreme being, but God doesn’t actively interfere with the universe
Christianity
Largest world religion; believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he will return again. Monotheistic religion
Islam
Second largest religion. Followers are called Muslims. Their God is Allah and Muhammad is their prophet. It’s the fastest growing religion. Monotheistic religion
Sects
Groups with distinct beliefs within a religion. Less formal and less integrated into society
Monotheistic Religion
Believe in one God that is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient
Judaism
Oldest Abrahamic faith; believe in one God, the creator and ruler of the universe and provides moral law. Sacred text is the Hebrew Bible
Hinduism
Third largest religion; polytheists–follow multiple gods. Believe in the caste system. Believe in reincarnation
Buddism
Achieve enlightenment through meditation, living simply, and working to gain wisdom
Established Religions
Religions that are officially supported by the state. Countries fund activities of their official religion
Religiosity
Person’s commitment to a given religion, evaluated through religious attendance, which is how often someone attends religious services
Secular
People who do not participate in religious activities; nonreligious
Rituals
Form of symbolic practice that highlight faith
Totems
Objects collectively defined as sacred (ex. cross, clothes, etc.). Can identify people as a part of a religion; membership. Demonstrated faith and recognizes faith in others
3 Functions Religion Has in Society; Durkheim’s Structural Functionalism Lens
1.) Establish social cohesion. Unites people with symbols, values, and norms. Promotes morality and churches act as gathering places
2.) Societies use religion as a form of social control. People act good for God
Ex. The Ten Commandments matches with social norms
3.) Gives a sense of purpose. Lives have a greater purposes and it’s within “God’s plan”
Social Conflict Theory on Religion
Religions entrenches existing inequalities and divides people. Marx sees it as an agent of social stratification, framing inequalities as a divine plan
Predestination
God pre-ordains everything that occurs, including if you get into heaven
Denominations
Subgroups of religious practice, including mainstream denominations (ex. Catholicism)
Churches
More well-established religious faiths that are well-integrated into society
Secularization
The decrease in religious beliefs
