Religion

Question 1

Religion

Answer 1

A system of meaning for interpreting the world; a unified belief with a supernatural referent

Question 2

Humanist perspectives

Answer 2

Human centred perspectives, such as communism
- often are science based
- religion suggests that our existence has meaning

Question 3

Whither religion*

Answer 3

According to UofL professor Reginald Bibbly, Alberta is not the bible belt of Canada
- Alberta has the second highest rates of responses of “no religion” or “no religion affiliation” (BC is first)
- Very few Albertans turn to traditional religion
- He adds that traditional religion does not seem to connect people with the spirituality they need

Question 4

Marx & Opium

Answer 4

• Religion / God is a human creation to help deal with stress
• Capitalism leads to religion
• Religion delays the transition to communism
• Religion will fade away
• Religion provides a gap filling role

Question 5

Weber & Spirit

Answer 5

• Religion leads to capitalism
• Weber wrote the Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
• We should examine religion in terms of how it affects the ways in which we behave
• Religion creates power for some leaders

Question 6

What factors did Bibbly say we should consider and what were his research conclusions based on those factors? (Personal religiosity)

Answer 6

Belief, Practice, Experience, and Knowledge
8/10 believe in god
7?10 believe in life after death
6/10 pray at least once a month
- Still, only a quarter of Canada considers religion important

Question 7

Durkheim & Holey answers

Answer 7

1. Religion is a social/human construction
2. Religion contributes to the collective conscience
3. Religion identifies this as sacred and profane
4. Religion will continue to impact people and their behaviour

Question 8

Functions of religion according to Durkheim (6)

Answer 8

• Fasters cohesion
• Offers support during crises’
• Addresses ultimate questions
• Provides social service
• Legitimizes political authority
• Influences social change

Question 9

Collective religiosity (Durkheim) & findings

Answer 9

We can interpret religions as splintering from other churches (church-sect technology) or by taking on organizational approach
Findings; on personal levels religion is doing well, but collectively it is in jeopardy

Question 10

Organizational Approach

Answer 10

Includes assessing religion in terms of:
1. The sources of members
- often carry on the same way their parents did
- when canadians move they forget religion
- church leaders are responsible for reaching out
2. The goals of the group
3. Norms and roles used to establish purpose
- hard to give out orders when people are there voluntarily
4. Sanctions to ensure conformity
5. It’s overall success

Question 11

Sources of religiosity; what causes people to become religious?

Answer 11

1. Reflection - NO
   - 80% reflect on life’s big questions
2. Socialization - YES, but not the only explanation
3. Deprivation - NO, Marx & Freud argument

Question 12

Religion in Canada

Answer 12

1. High degrees of religious tolerance & separation of church & state -> younger generations tend to respect all religions
2. Catholics & Protestants have the most followers, but the numbers are declining
3. Islamic (and such) followers are increasing due to immigration

Question 13

Fragments of God (Bibbly)

Answer 13

Canadians take “fragments” of other religions and make it their own new religion