Religion

Question 1

Religion - Durkheim’s Definition

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Congregations

Answer 2

Groups of followers who worship together

Question 3

Followers

Answer 3

Those who believe in the principles of a religion

Question 4

Prophet

Answer 4

An individual who’s seen as particularly holy to a religious group (ex. Moses)

Question 5

Profane Things

Answer 5

Mundane, unexceptional “everyday” objects

Question 6

Sacred Things

Answer 6

Objects that have special powers and deserve special attention

Question 7

Religion General Definition

Answer 7

A social institution that involves a belief system and practices about what is sacred that’s held by a group of people

Question 8

Religious Experiences

Answer 8

Feelings of extreme religiosity. It results from enthusiasm; people feel connected in a larger social group

Question 9

Protestant Ethic and who coined it?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Ascetic Protestantism

Answer 10

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”

Question 11

Deist

Answer 11

Someone who believes in a supreme being, but God doesn’t actively interfere with the universe

Question 12

Christianity

Answer 12

Largest world religion; believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he will return again. Monotheistic religion

Question 13

Islam

Answer 13

Second largest religion. Followers are called Muslims. Their God is Allah and Muhammad is their prophet. It’s the fastest growing religion. Monotheistic religion

Question 14

Sects

Answer 14

Groups with distinct beliefs within a religion. Less formal and less integrated into society

Question 15

Monotheistic Religion

Answer 15

Believe in one God that is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient

Question 16

Judaism

Answer 16

Oldest Abrahamic faith; believe in one God, the creator and ruler of the universe and provides moral law. Sacred text is the Hebrew Bible

Question 17

Hinduism

Answer 17

Third largest religion; polytheists–follow multiple gods. Believe in the caste system. Believe in reincarnation

Question 18

Buddism

Answer 18

Achieve enlightenment through meditation, living simply, and working to gain wisdom

Question 19

Established Religions

Answer 19

Religions that are officially supported by the state. Countries fund activities of their official religion

Question 20

Religiosity

Answer 20

Person’s commitment to a given religion, evaluated through religious attendance, which is how often someone attends religious services

Question 21

Secular

Answer 21

People who do not participate in religious activities; nonreligious

Question 22

Rituals

Answer 22

Form of symbolic practice that highlight faith

Question 23

Totems

Answer 23

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

Question 24

3 Functions Religion Has in Society; Durkheim’s Structural Functionalism Lens

Answer 24

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”

Question 25

Social Conflict Theory on Religion

Answer 25

Religions entrenches existing inequalities and divides people. Marx sees it as an agent of social stratification, framing inequalities as a divine plan

Question 26

Predestination

Answer 26

God pre-ordains everything that occurs, including if you get into heaven

Question 27

Denominations

Answer 27

Subgroups of religious practice, including mainstream denominations (ex. Catholicism)

Question 28

Churches

Answer 28

More well-established religious faiths that are well-integrated into society

Question 29

Secularization

Answer 29

The decrease in religious beliefs