Week 5 Flashcards
What are the primary functions of institutionalized religion according to the lecture? (5)
To provide a code of conduct, a means of moral regulation, a roadmap for behavior, guidance on self-control, and membership in a faith-based community.
How does Durkheim’s sociology of religion view the role of social institutions?
Durkheim emphasized that social institutions are fundamental components that develop and function to maintain societal solidarity, with religion being one of the most crucial.
What distinction does Durkheim make between the sacred and the profane?
The sacred is collectively esteemed and set apart from everyday use, while the profane is used in everyday utilitarian ways.
How does Kinsman define the social construction of sexuality?
Sexuality is seen as socially created, building on biological potentialities and closely linked to the social organization of gender.
What critical perspective does Kinsman offer on the historical materialism approach to societal structures?
It views historical transformation as essential to understanding societal structures, focusing on social relations and practices rather than isolated ideas or discourse.
How are gender and sexuality interlinked in the construction of social norms?
Social norms around gender and sexuality are constructed through societal practices and institutions that define and reinforce what is considered normal or acceptable.
What does the lecture note about the role of heterosexuality in contemporary Western society?
Heterosexuality is often associated with natural, normal, clean, healthy, and pure characteristics, while deviations from it invoke fear and anxiety due to challenges to established moral orders.
How does the concept of governmentality relate to the social organization of sexuality?
Governmentality involves the interaction of social relations that regulate individual behaviors, illustrating how personal activities are influenced by broader social forces.
What societal impact does the problematization of homosexuality have according to the lecture?
It reinforces heterosexual hegemony by treating homosexuality and lesbianism as anomalies requiring explanation, thereby normalizing heterosexuality.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam and their significance in moral regulation?
They guide believers in disciplined conduct and community participation. They are Shahadah (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (alms tax), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
How do the Ten Commandments serve as a moral guide in religious contexts?(6)
They provide explicit directives on honoring parents, prohibiting murder, adultery, theft, and false witness, and avoiding covetous behaviors, setting foundational moral standards.
What is the significance of the Five K’s in Sikhism?
They symbolize commitments to the faith guiding daily conduct and spiritual integrity. They include unshorn hair (Kesh), a comb (Kangha), a bracelet (Kara), undergarments (Kachera), and a ceremonial sword (Kirpan).
How does the lecture describe the impact of social ‘structures’ on human activity?
Social structures are not separate from human actions; they are formed by and simultaneously organize social interactions, produced and sustained through sequences of relationships and actions.
What commonalities are observed among different religious practices regarding self-regulation?
Commonalities include structured practices like fasting, prayer, and ethical conduct aimed at fostering a disciplined life aligned with spiritual or moral principles.
In what ways does the lecture suggest sexuality and gender are reflective of broader societal structures?
Sexuality and gender are framed within societal norms that are perpetuated through cultural practices, legal norms, and religious teachings, all contributing to the regulatory frameworks that govern individual behaviors.
