Religion In Modern Society

Question 1

What is religion

Answer 1

Is a complex and multifaceted social and cultural process that encompasses beliefs,rituals,practices,moral values and spiritual experiences

Question 2

Religion as a form of culture

Answer 2

Encompasses beliefs,values,symbols, and social norms that shape the way individuals understand and experience the world

Question 3

Religion as ritualised practice

Answer 3

Individuals participate and perform in ritual activities
E.g. Muslims pray five times a day facing mecca
These rituals serve as communication to the divine

Question 4

Religion provides a sense of purpose

Answer 4

Religion provides meaning to life, and individuals often find guidance on how to live meaningful and moral lives

Question 5

Is religion all about a belief in one God or gods?

Answer 5

Some religions focus more on principles rather than a belief in a deity. It’s not a universal requirement

Question 6

Theism

Answer 6

Is the belief in the existence of one God or more gods

Question 7

Monotheism

Answer 7

A belief in one particular God

Question 8

Dietheism

Answer 8

Belief in two gods

Question 9

Polytheism

Answer 9

a belief that more gods exist

Question 10

Rituals

Answer 10

Symbolic actions, behavior, or ceremonies hold cultural or religious significance within the society. They are performed in a specific sequence to show appreciation or celebration
E.g. weddings, funerals, coming-of-age ceremonies, and religious worship services

Question 11

Taboos

Answer 11

Refers to a practice that is socially prohibited against a certain behavior due to perceived moral religious or societal norms
E.g. ZCC don’t eat pork
E.g. boys that come from initiation schools don’t talk about what happened there

Question 12

Totem

Answer 12

An object, animal, or plant that people believe it has supernatural qualities

Question 13

Totemism

Answer 13

A practice in which a group of people typically a tribe or clan associate themselves with a particular animal or plant
E.g. the Ndebele people have totems known as “izibongo,” often used to identify clans within the Ndebele society

Question 14

Animism

Answer 14

A belief that ghosts or spirits live around the world

Question 15

Christianity

Answer 15

A monotheistic religion that is based on the life and teaching of Jesus
The key text is the bible

Question 16

Islam

Answer 16

Derived from the teachings of prophet Mohammed
Key text is Koran

Question 17

Karl marx: Religion is a opium of people

Answer 17

Karl Marx viewed religion as a tool used by the ruling class to control and pacify the working class, distracting them from their oppression and exploitation. He believed that religion reflects and reinforces social inequality.

Question 18

Why is religion an opiate for marx

Answer 18

Promises an eternal bliss in the life after death. Makes poverty more tolerable. Some religions believe that the suffering produced by oppression is a virtue. Produces a false consciousness. Promotes a capitalist social order.

Question 19

Durkhein: functionalism and religious rituals

Answer 19

Durkhein viewed religion as a fundamental aspect of society, serving to unify communities and provide a sense of solidarity among its members. He argued that religious rituals and beliefs create a collective consciousness, reinforcing social norms and values

Question 20

Weber: Religions and social change

Answer 20

Weber famously discussed the protestant ethic and spirit of capitalism, suggesting that protestanism, particularly calvinism, played a significant role in the rise of modern capitalism by promoting values such as hard work and rationality.

Question 21

The secularization thesis:Weber

Answer 21

Weber was also interested in the future of religion, which he suggested that as societies modernize and progress, religion loses its significance and influence over time. He argued that with the rise of rationality, science, and bureaucracy, traditional religious beliefs and practices would diminish in importance.

Question 22

Religious fundametalism

Answer 22

Religious fundamentalism is an approach to religious belief and practices characterized by a strict adherence to traditional religious doctrines and a rejection of modern secular values and interpretation. They adhere to literal interpretations of their sacred texts or scriptures, and they believe that only one view exists, which is their own

Question 23

Religious fundametalism

Answer 23

Religious fundamentalism is an approach to religious belief and practices characterized by a strict adherence to traditional religious doctrines and a rejection of modern secular values and interpretation. They adhere to literal interpretations of their sacred texts or scriptures, and they believe that only one view exists, which is their own

Question 24

What way does sociology distinguish itself from other disciplines?

Answer 24

Sociology studies society, social interactions, and social structures. It takes a broader holistic approach, analyzing the interconnectedness of individuals, groups, institutions, and cultures within the society