Religion, Science, and Deviance Flashcards
Belief
Any proposition thought to be true
Belief System
A set of interrelated beliefs
Religion and Science
They are both belief systems
Belief Systems as Deviant
Deviance within groups that adhere to particular belief systems OR, entire belief system as deviant
Belief Systems as Social Typers of Deviance
When the “truths” of that belief system tell us who should be considered deviant & what the consequences should/will be
Religion in Canada - 2011
- Majority of Canadians identify with some sort of faith (growing proportion of Canadians who do not)
- Majority: Christian
- Colonization and immigration
- Still evident in much of Canadian culture
- Changes in religious proportions likely due to immigration - Secularization: decline of the influence of organized religion
- Are religious people “better” people? Do they have more respect?
Richard Dawkins’ Belief Scale
Strong Theist, De-facto theist, Weak Theist, Pure Agnostic, Weak Atheist, De-Facto Atheist, Strong Atheist
Strong Theist
I do not question the existence of God, I KNOW he exists.
De-facto Theist
I cannot know for certain but I strongly believe in God and I live my life on the assumption that he is there.
Weak Theist
I am very uncertain, but I am inclined to believe in God.
Pure Agnostic
God’s existence and non-existence are equally likely.
Weak Atheist
I do not know whether God exists but I’m inclined to be skeptical.
De-facto Atheist
I cannot know for certain but I think God is very improbably and I live my life under the assumption that he is not there.
Strong Atheist
I am 100% sure that there is no God.
Religion As Deviance
- “Deviant” acts that occur within religious groups - e.g. abuse, child abuse
- Entire religious groups that are considered to be deviant - e.g. “deviant religions”
4 Types of Traditional Typologies
Ecclesia, Churches, Sects, Cults
Ecclesia
- A specific religious belief system that is adopted at a governmental level and becomes a nation’s “official religion”
- Religious freedom?
Churches
- Large and powerful religious groups, highly bureaucratic
- World’s major religions: Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity
- Further divided into denominations - Churches can deviantize other churches