Chapter 17 Sociology Sesang

Comes from the Latin word "religare"

Means "to bind together"

Refers to the socially defined patterns of belief concerning the ultimate meaning of life; it assumes the existence of the supernatural as some entity that is above nature, beyond our experience, unexplained by natural laws

The belief in spiritual beings and the institutions and practices associated with these beliefs (Taylor)

Refers to any set of doctrines providing overall answers to ultimate and existential questions for which there are no empirical answers ( Gelliner)

Embodies beliefs or representations which express the nature of sacred things as well as rites prescribing how a person should behave in the presence of sacred objects (Evans-Pritchard)

Involves a set of symbols which arouses feeling of reverence or awe and are linked to rituals or ceremonial such as church services practiced by a community of believers (Giddens)

Is a culturally entrenched pattern of behavior composed of sacred beliefs, emotional feelings accompanying the belief, and overt.conduct implementing the beliefs and feelings (John F. Cuber)

A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden - beliefs and practice which unite into one single moral community call a church and all those who adhere to them (Durkheim)

Basic elements or components of religion

Can be a natural being or force, or a ghost or spirit endowed with a supernatural power

It can be a moral principle, or a particular object that symbolizes deep-seated feelings

Give the members of a religion a shared sense of the reality of the supernatural, or of what is sometimes called "the holy"

Deemed sacred to Christians because it presupposes a belief in the resurrection

Sacred to Christians because it presupposes the belief it contains the words of God

The visible and symbolic expressions of a religion. It refers yo prescribed ways of performing religious acts

Composed of those unique social characters of religion. Composed of those who share common beliefs and practices about the sacred which bind them together within a large social whole

"The idea of society is the soul of religion"

He felt community and religion were inseparable for two reasons: religion both celebrates and creates community

Techniques of religion

Refers to general acts performed according to the requirements of the beliefs.

It refers to overt conduct of the believers implementing the beliefs and feelings

It refers to the communication with supernatural powers through thoughts or speech

It expresses the desire to please the supernatural powers by gift giving

It refers to the awe coupled with love and admiration which one offers to the supernatural powers

It means the control by foreknowledge or supernatural powers

It refers to the negative presentation of propitiatory devices wherein the person should abstain from certain acts which are presumed inimical to the desires of the gods

It refers to "thou shall not" behavior

It is the opposite of taboo. It attempts to please the supernatural by positive acts. It refers to "thou shall" behavior

It refers to the prescribed way of performing religious acts

It involves a number of interconnected and related rituals performed at a given time

It is an attempt to put into operation certain forces which will produce desired results

Theories about the origin of religion

There are ____ major world religions which are subdivided into a total of _____ large religious groups

Three theoretical camps

"The sociology of religion"

Consensus

Changes the emphasis from individual human need to the need of the society

Primarily concerned with the role religion plays in society. It requires that all societal institutions and structures perform a useful purpose in order to create consensus

Argues that all societies divide the world into two categories: "the sacred" and "the profane", and religion is based on this division.

Argues that religious phenomena emerge in any society when a separation is made between the sphere of the profane and the sphere of the sacred

The realm of everyday utilitarian activities, ordinary, mundane, not set apart, treated very casually

The area that pertains to numenous, the transcendental, the extraordinary, that which is ideal, powerful, potentially dangerous, awe-inspiring

Act as totems to which groups and individuals ascribe power and importance

Emphasizes the importance of collective worship

Identifies religion as a major player in the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, a relationship based on conflict

Saw religion as part of the capitalist superstructure, and as a tool for subverting dissidnence and achieving control

Conflict theory

Change theory

Argues that in some circumstances, religion can lead to social change

Believes that in certain circumstances, religious beliefs can influence economic behavior

Rejects the Marxist view

"The protestant ethic and the spirit of Capitalism"

According to him, the first organized religions appear to have been based on fertility

A single male god is worshipped

A religion which recognizes a single male deity, but which recognizes other gods and goddesses, heroes, or saints as facets or manifestations or aspects of that supreme god

Faith traditions

Types of religious organization

It is a small, exclusive, uncompromising fellowship of individuals seeking spiritual perfection

Austere, disciplined life style

They consider the world outside the sect to be decadent, corrupt and sinful

Often claim they are authentic, cleansed version of the faith from which they split

A large, conservative universal religious institution

Are religious movements that are at odds with their social environment and which have no prior ties with an established religious body in a given society

Described three types of cults

Three types of cults

Have practically no formal organization. The members are actually consumers of cult doctrines delivered over the airwaves or in books, magazines, and newspaper columns

Have religious leaders who offer specific services to those who follow them.

Are client cults which become larger and more tightly organized

Has been a major source of social change

Three choices according to Peter Berger

Functions of religions

Religion promotes social solidarity in the community by acting as a kind of social cement

Religion helps to legitimate the established and dominant groups within a society

Religious groups have helped millions of immigrants to a new land and life

Birth, maturity, marriage, and death - universal features of the human life cycle - are celebrated and explained by practically all religions

Religion provides explanations of the unknown and therefore promotes emotional security

Religion performs welfare, educational and recreational functions

Related social concepts on religion

It refers to indigenous practices and old beliefs of the people which are interwoven into the Catholic official practices

Spirits and widespread use of anting-anting, amulets and talismans

It refers to a situation where there is a coexistence within the same person of two or more thought-and-behavior systems which are inconsistent with each other (Fr. Bulatao)

It refers to indigenous practice of faith healers who serve as mediums for healing energy. This is done by invoking divine power through empathy and reliance on the faith of the patient (Panopio)

It is derived from the Latin word "occultus" which means mysterious practices related to supernatural forces beyond the five senses. Included versions are practices and beliefs in astrology, magic, withcraft, numerology, crystal ball gazing, spiritism, and fortune telling (Villafuerte)

It refers tonthe practice of many people who are critical of organized religion, or who disclaim any religious affiliations to focus on certain ultimate themes and private experiences such as intimacy, work, or peace of mind rather than on the issues central to traditional religion (Thomas Luckmann)

It refers to the religious practice of the many people who retrieve the powerful spirit of traditional religion but adapting it to modern life. It stresses evangelization and piety, absolute authority of the Bible, personal conversion and salvation

It refers to that form of religious expression using religious radio and television programs that reinforce traditional religious beliefs and ultimate themes of private religions, such as autonomy, self-realization, and essence of the family

Stars of electronic church in the US

Stars of the electronic church in the Phil