1Brief OutlinesPamela Oliver Sociology 220 Intertwining of culture and religion. Holidays, calendars, daily practices, food Culture as culture can be very oppressive Wars are often along ethnic/national lines that tend to coincide with religion, but less clear that it is “for religion.” Histories of Muslim & Christian conquests and “religious wars” Lots of ethnic conflict along religious lines Many wars among people of “the same” religion, e.g. between European countries, Iran vs Iraq, Northern Ireland (Protestant vs. Catholic) Power politics: if your group is oppressed by another religion, the religion tends to become a bastion of resistance. It matters whether religion is part of the state/power structure or outside it. Religion is often a base for opposition to power. Religious people will bring their beliefs into any social movement they get involved with, but not clear that the beliefs “cause” the movement Most Southern Blacks and Whites had/have basically the same evangelical Protestant religion but were/are on opposite sides of the Civil Rights Movement and today’s political dividesPercentsChristian ~75-85%Protestant (~50%)Catholic (~25%)Secular/ No religion ~10-15%Jewish ~1%Muslim ~0.5-1%Buddhist ~0.5%Hindu ~.5%Other religions ~1-1.5%2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism Atheist = “there is no God” [Some say this requires a concept of God, otherwise you cannot reject it.] A significant fraction of people who claim any religion (including Christian) also say they are atheists. A significant fraction of people who claim “no religion” say they believe in God. Self-proclaimed “no religion” in US rose after 1990, appears to be tied to rise in religious right in politics Self-proclaimed atheism in Europe rose after WWII. Religious a small minority Agnostic = “I don’t know whether there is God” [both religious and non-religious people may claim to be agnostic] Debate about whether a belief system must have an idea of God in it to be called a religion. E.g. Buddhism, Confucianism, Unitarian secular humanism.Additional BeliefsAmerican Society of Muslims (disbanded 2003)3Additional Beliefs Often has an “ethnic” component, immigrants tended to form ethnic churches US Protestantism involves MANY different denominations. Large ones include Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists. Each of these has splinters that often disagree. Black denominations are most often separate from White denominations due to history of segregation. All races may be Catholic although strong ethnic churches among Latinos, Polish, German, Irish, Italian. A major distinction in US Christianity –especially White Protestantism -- is roughly liberal/conservative. “Liberal” or “Mainline” Protestant denominations are members of the National Council of Churches (and World Council of Churches). Conservative denominations are more loosely structured. Include evangelicals. National Council of Evangelicals. Catholic church & Black denominations tend to be aligned with liberals on economic issues & conservatives on sexual/social issues. Hinduism: modern name of the ancient religion(s) of the people of India Buddhism: teachings of the Buddha, offshoot of the ancient Indian religion Sikhism: an attempt to merge/reconcile Hinduism & Islam, now an ethnic/religious minority in India (Sikh men wear turbans, never cut their hair) Islam is dominant in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kashmir region of India, Afghanistan4 Modern version of a complex set of beliefs and practices of the people of India No single point of origin. Sacred texts date back to at least 1500 BCE. Many different “gods” are worshiped, but usually understood as representations of one divinity: there are many different ideas about how to understand this Historically very tolerant of other religions, appreciated religious diversity within Hinduism Modern Hindu fundamentalist movements are not tolerant Teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (AKA Shakyamuni and the Buddha – enlightened one) ~ 530 BCE Outgrowth, reaction to the ancient Indian religious teachings “Officially” there is no deity; for some subgroups there are worship-type practices & beliefs; images of the Buddha are common and treated similarly to images of God/s in other religions Two main branches with differences in rituals, practices & beliefs Theravada (Southern) Buddhism, dominant in most of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos). Closer to Indian traditions, “orthodox” Buddhism. The world is not substantial. Mahayana (Northern) Buddhism is largely found in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia. (Tibetan somewhat separate, due to isolation). Influenced by Chinese traditions; more “schools” with distinct teachings. Look inward for enlightenment. Modern Buddhism often merges elements from both traditions5 Confucianism: a philosophy (no deity), dominant in China, a set of principles for a well-ordered life that still influences much Chinese thinking; “religious” rituals centered on ancestors Daoism and other traditional religious or spiritual practices Ancestor worship Buddhism Qigong movement (physical & meditative practices which are not necessarily religious) Falun gong: one group viewed as a dangerous cult by government Communism: officially no religion. Buddhism Christianity (mostly Presbyterian & Catholic) Traditional Korean practices around ancestors Many are secular (nonreligious) Celebrate both Buddhist & Christian holidays6 Buddhism +Shinto (can be both). Shinto: traditional religion of Japan, centered on ancestors Many are secular but enjoy holidays, including Christmas (understood as secular fun) Religion & ethnicity intertwine in practice: holidays, customs, rituals, morality Controversial issues to consider: France & Turkey ban “religious symbols” including Muslim head scarves at school Which holiday customs are appropriate in the pubic sphere How do we respect each other in a multi-cultural and multi-religious space? How can one person publicly “be” who they are without offending others? Whose holidays get
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