This document provides an overview of religion from several perspectives: 1. It defines religion and key religious concepts like sacred, profane, faith, and ritual. 2. It outlines three sociological approaches to analyzing religion: structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and social conflict theory. 3. It discusses several world religions - Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism - and compares religious practices between Eastern and Western traditions.

1. Chapter 19 Religion Brought to you by: Cassie, Diana, Sergio, Gabriela, Pierre, Tiffany, Diane & Lynn

31. RELIGION A SOCIAL institution involving beliefs and practices based on recognizing the sacred.

32. Sacred Extraordinary Inspiring Awe & Reverence

33. Profane An ordinary element of everyday life.

34. Ritual Formal or ceremonial behaviors holding symbolic meaning. Communion Confessionals

35. FAITH The belief in a higher power by conviction and not science.

36. Theoretical Approaches to Analyzing Religion Diana Chia

37. Three Approaches 1. Structural Functional Approach 2. Symbolic Interaction 3. Social Conflict

38. St ru ct ur al Fu nc ti on al Ap pr oa ch Social Cohesion Social Control Purpose in Life

39. Pilgrimage to Mecca Islam Kumbh Mela Hindu Pilgrimage (Holy bath) Social Cohesion

40. Social Control Judgment Day 10 Commandments

41. Gives Life Purpose and Meaning

42. Symbolic Interaction Approach Rituals give everyday life sacred meaning Sacred symbols provide comfort in times of crisis or uncertainty. Tibetan sky burial

43. Social Conflict Approach A form of social control. Religion is used to promote social inequality. Kings rule by divine right. King Charles

44. Gender Inequality

45. By: Sergio Cornejo

46. Max Weber: Protestantism & Capitalism Religious is usually thought of as a conservative force that does not embrace change but at times in history religion has caused dramatic social change. (Protestants in 1500’s) Max Weber believed that certain religious ideas caused a wave of change that brought about the Industrial Revolution in Western Europe. Calvinism which was a movement within the Protestant Reformation unknowingly encouraged industrial capitalism.

47. Basis of Calvinism Predestination Only God knew Signs from God’s Prosperity was God’s blessing Religious conviction & rigid devotion lead to great wealth

48. Groundwork of Capitalism Against selfish spending and giving to the poor They would reinvest and adopt technology Non-protestants followed becoming a profane belief No longer Protestant beliefs but capitalism beliefs Capitalist ideas lead to Industrial revolution in Western Europe

49. Liberation Theory Liberation theory: the combining of Christian principles with political activism, often Marxist in character. The idea to reach out to oppressed people urging all to a stronger faith in a better life to come.

50. Background of Liberation Theory Started In 1960s in Latin American Roman Catholic Churches. Oppression runs counter to Christian morality Embrace Christianity

51. Against Liberation Theory Mixing religion and politics Pope Benedictine XVI, like Pope John Paul II condemned the liberation theory for distorting the church doctrine with left-winged politics.

52. Types of Religious Organizations By: Gabriela Rodriguez

53. Church

54. Sects

55. Cults

56. Heaven’s Gate/ People’s Temple

57. Jim Jones Manson Family

58. World Religions 6 most known religions together it makes up two-thirds of humanity (approximately 4 billion believers).

59. Christianity Most widespread religion with 2 billion followers Began as a cult Built on the personal charisma of the leader Jesus of Nazareth He preached of personal salvation. By the fourth century it was the official religion of the Holy Roman Empire. One of the most dominant religions Christianity draws elements from Judaism, a much older religion Monotheism Sacred Symbol Cult : a religious organization that is largely outside a society’s cultural traditions.

60. Islam 1.2 billion followers (one-fifth of humanity) Majority of the people in the Middle East are known as Muslims. Muslims follow the word of God as revealed to Muhammad- the prophet. Origins :The word of God revealed to Muhammad who was born in the city of Mecca at around 570 The Qur’an (Koran) is the sacred text. Wars Socially oppressed women. 4

61. Five Pillars of Islam: recognizing Allah as the one, true God and Muhammad as God’s messenger Ritual Prayer Giving alms to the poor Fasting during the month of Ramadan making a pilgrimage at least once in one’s life to the Sacred House of Allah in Mecca

62. picture A : Many people in the United States view Muslim women as socially oppressed. picture B : The scared text of Muslims, known as the Qur’an (Koran). picture C : The Crescent Moon is the symbol of Islam. Text Pictures of Islam

63. 15 million followers worldwide. Jews make up the majority of the population in Israel. Monotheistic Jews believe in the concept of the covenant which implies a duty to observe Gods law, especially the Ten Commandments. ] Torah: Bible’s first five books Three Main Denominations Discrimination: share a history of oppression as a result of prejudice and discrimination Today Judaism Covenant : a special relationship with God by which the Jews became God’s “chosen people”.

64. Hinduism The oldest of all the world religions. Consists of 800 million members. Envisions God as a universal moral force rather than a specific entity. Hindus believe in the principles of: dharma : the moral responsibilities karma : the belief in the spiritual progress of the human soul.

65. Buddhism Consists of 350 million people. Buddhist teachings are similar to that of Hindu beliefs. Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who became the Buddha. Buddha taught that meditation can help us move beyond selfish concerns and material desires. By connecting with the power of the universe, people can reach nirvana - the state of enlightenment and peace.

66. Confucianism Was a state church - the official religion of China until the beginning of the twentieth century. Confucius instructed his followers to engage the world according to a code of moral conduct. Jen meaning “humaneness” is the central idea of Confucianism. Meaning we must always place moral principle above our self-interest .

67. Religion: East and West West East Christianity Islam Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Have a clear focus on God as a distinct entity. Form congregations, worshipping together in a special place at a regular time. Focus on the divine power and spiritual beliefs. Express their religion anywhere without a schedule.

68. Religion In the United States By Dianne Lee

69. Religious Membership across the U.S. Religious diversity across the U.S. Religiosity In Global Perspective

70. Religion in a Changing Society Lynn Truong Group 5/ Religion

71. Secularization Secularization - the historical decline in the importance of the supernatural and the sacred commonly associated with modern, technologically advanced societies in which science is the major way of understanding VS.

72. US is becoming a postdenomination society. In other words, people are seeking spiritual development outside of established religious organizations. Five core values of “New Age” Seekers: 1. Seekers believe in a higher power. Seekers believe we’re all connected. Seekers believe in a spirit world. Seekers want to experience the spirit world. Seekers pursue transcendence. “New Age” Seekers: Spirituality without Formal Religion

73. TREND : As many churchlike organizations become more worldly, many people leave them in favor of more sect-like communities offering a more intense religious experience. Religious Revival: “Good Old-Time Religion”

74. Fundamentalism Fundamentalism - a conservative religious doctrine that opposes intellectualism and worldly accommodations in favor of restoring traditional, other worldly religion Fundamentalism is distinctive in 5 ways: 1. Fundamentalists take the words of sacred texts literally. 2. Fundamentalists reject religious pluralism. 3. Fundamentalists pursue the personal experience of God’s presence. 4. Fundamentalists oppose “secular humanism.” 5. Many fundamentalists endorse conservative political goals.