Sociology of Religion: Research on a Global Phenomena
Andrew Scott Ziner, Ph.D. Department of Anthropology and Sociology Kutztown University
Religions of the World
What is Religion?
What is Religion?
Some form of religion has existed in every society that we know of throughout history – even predating homo sapiens (e.g., we’ve found fossilized remains of artifacts buried with Neanderthal pre-humans)
What is Religion?
Some form of religion has existed in every society that we know of throughout history – even predating homo sapiens (e.g., we’ve found fossilized remains of artifacts buried with Neanderthal pre-humans)
Religions takes a multitude of forms: • Worship Gods, ancestors or totems • Practice solitary meditation, frenzied rituals or solemn prayer
What is Religion?
Some form of religion has existed in every society that we know of throughout history – even predating homo sapiens (e.g., we’ve found fossilized remains of artifacts buried with Neanderthal pre-humans)
Religions takes a multitude of forms: • Worship Gods, ancestors or totems • Practice solitary meditation, frenzied rituals or solemn prayer Religion is a matter of faith based on conviction, not science (Corinthians 2, 5:7 “Walk by faith, not by sight”)
What is Religion?
Defined: A system of communally-held beliefs and practices that are oriented toward some sacred, supernatural realm
What is Religion?
Defined: A system of communally-held beliefs and practices that are oriented toward some sacred, supernatural realm
Without this combination of socially constructed elements, there can be no religion
What is Religion?
Defined: A system of communally-held beliefs and practices that are oriented toward some sacred, supernatural realm
Without this combination of socially constructed elements, there can be no religion Private beliefs are not “religion” if they are not shared by a community and, in turn, institutionalized
What is Religion?
Defined: A system of communally-held beliefs and practices that are oriented toward some sacred, supernatural realm
Without this combination of socially constructed elements, there can be no religion Private beliefs are not “religion” if they are not shared by a community and, in turn, institutionalized Examples of religion: Hagan tribe of Papua New Guinea, Tewa Indians of New Mexico, Tapirape of Brazil, Aztecs of Mexico, J.Z. Knight’s spiritualism in 1986 America, story of Adam & Eve in the origins of Christianity
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
Sociologist Reece McGee divides religions into four main categories according to their central belief To distinguish one category from another, sociologists ask “What are the religion’s main concerns?”
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
Sociologist Reece McGee divides religions into four main categories according to their central belief To distinguish one category from another, sociologists ask “What are the religion’s main concerns?” Think of each religion as an emotionally powerful story that, from one religion to another, ranges from simple to complex depending on societal needs and concerns
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
Sociologist Reece McGee divides religions into four main categories according to their central belief To distinguish one category from another, sociologists ask “What are the religion’s main concerns?” Think of each religion as an emotionally powerful story that, from one religion to another, ranges from simple to complex depending on societal needs and concerns Max Weber (SI) refers to each religion’s theodicy: An emotionally satisfying explanation of why people live brief periods on Earth, often suffer and then die
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
Sociologist Reece McGee divides religions into four main categories according to their central belief
1) Simple Supernaturalism • Common in very simple, preindustrial, societies • Believers do not recognize Gods or spirits, but assume that supernatural forces influence human events for better or worse
• Some forms of simple supernaturalism still lingers in the Western world today
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
2) Animism
• Found in African and Native American tribes • This kind of religion recognizes active, animate, spirits operating in the world; they are found in people and in inanimate natural phenomena like rivers, mountains and the weather
• These spirits are personified, having good or bad motives and emotions like people
• These spirits are not Gods as they are never worshipped; they are influenced through magic
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
3) Theism (aka, the “ism”)
• Centers on a belief in God or Gods • God(s), presumably all-powerful, has an active interest in human affairs and, therefore, is worthy of being worshipped
• In large, theocratic, societies there are part-time or full-time officials (priests, rabbis, clerics) who preside over religious ceremonies and interpret the wishes of their God(s)
• Two forms: Monotheism and Polytheism
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
3) Theism (aka, the “ism”)
• Centers on a belief in God or Gods
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
3) Theism (aka, the “ism”)
• Centers on a belief in God or Gods
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
3) Theism
What are the Types of Religion on a Global Scale?
4) Abstract Idealism
• Found mainly in Asia and centers not on the worshipping of a God(s) but, instead, on ways of thinking and behaving
• Goal is to fulfill one’s human potential to the utmost; to reach an elevated state of consciousness • Two main forms: Buddhism and Hinduism
What are the Essential Features Common to all Religions?
Emile Durkheim’s renowned worldwide studies emphasize three features common to all religions: • Distinction and Opposition between the SACRED and the PROFANE • Supernatural Belief System
• A Set of Rituals adherents will follow
What are the Essential Features Common to all Religions?
Distinction and Opposition between the SACRED and the PROFANE
SACRED: Anything that inspires deep respect, reverence and awe. It has supernatural qualities that are approached only through ritual (i.e., a formal, stylized, procedure such as prayer or ceremonial cleansing). Anything can be regarded as sacred such as a cross, God or a king.
What are the Essential Features Common to all Religions?
Distinction and Opposition between the SACRED and the PROFANE
PROFANE: (Latin: means “Outside the temple”) Anything that is regarded as part of the ordinary rather than of the supernatural world. It may have the power to weaken or corrupt people. Like the sacred, the profane may be embodied by a symbol, a king or anything defined by leaders.
What are the Essential Features Common to all Religions?
• Actions and activities becomes either sacred or profane only when it is defined as such by a religious leaders and their community of followers. • Societies, therefore, define things as sacred such as objects (a tree, moon or book), animals (bald eagle), ideas (Hinduism, monogamy) or people (Buddha, Christ, Saints).
What are the Essential Features Common to all Religions?
• When actions become sacred, they are endowed with a special power and treated with awe, reverence and respect. Rituals then are developed consistent with the beliefs and feelings (e.g., Inipi, briss, communion or confessions).
Religions of the World
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