SOCI 205: EXAM 3

ideas held by individuals or groups about what is desirable, proper, good, and bad. What individuals value is strongly influenced by the specific culture in which they happen to live.

rules of conduct that specify appropriate behavior in a given range of social situations. A norm either prescribes a given typeof behavior or forbids it. All human groups follow definite norms, which are always backed by sanctions of one kind of the other-varying from disapproval to physical punishment.

a group of people that live in a particular territory, are subject to a common system of political authority, and are aware of having a distinct identity from other groups.

a set of beliefs adhered to by the members of a community, incorporating symbols regarding with a sense of awe or wonder together with ritual practices. do not universally involve a belief in supernatural entities form of culture (consists of shared beliefs, values, norms, and material conditions) involves beliefs that take form of ritualized practice provides feeling that life is ultimately meaningful

a belief in one or more supernatural deities

the physical objects that a society creates, which influence the ways which influence the ways in which people live.

ways in which a crisis in prevailing beliefs promotes religious fervor how competing religions lead some to thrive and other to perish address the relationship between religion, ethnic identity, and politics

Religion and Inequality religion represents human-alienation thinking derived from writings of Ludwig Feuerbach, who believed in the process he called alienation-human beings attribute their own culturally created values and norms to alien, or separate, beings b/c they don’t understand their own history “opium of the people:” powerful use religion to oppress

Religion and Functionalism In The Elementary Forms of Religious Life: totemism: the worship of objects such as animals or plants believed to embody mystical spirits this was religion in its most elementary form defines religion as the distinction between the sacred and the profane profane: that which belongs to the mundane, everyday world sacred: describing something that inspires attitudes of awe or reverence among believers in a given set of religious ideals religion promotes a coherent society by ensuring that people meet regularly to affirm common beliefs and values social solidarity

World Religion and Social Change The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Protestantism supports capitalism (reinvest their money in their enterprises) “Worldly Asceticism”: resulted in capital accumulation; engaged in the world, but delayed gratification

worldly thinking, particularly as seen in the rise of science, and rational thought in general

A process of decline in the influence of religion. modern societies have become increasingly secularized can refer to levels of involvement with religious organizations See-Saw Model: a rise in science = fall in religion and faith and visa versa

liberal and moderate groups are losing members (a more flexible approach to religious practices) conservative groups are growing (inspire deep loyalty and commitment, effective in recruiting members) emphasize a literal interpretation of the Bible, morality in life, and conversion through evangelizing

growth due to immigration from Mexico and Central America growth hides loss of non-immigrant Catholics make up a quarter of the population church attendance has declined reason for decline is unclear, but may be due to the ban of artificial contraceptions

Jews: Assimilation, intermarriage, and low birth rates Muslims: possible underreporting "Nones": 15% of population NOT considered atheists

Churches: bodies of people belonging to an established religious organization. Term also used to refer to place in which religious ceremonies are carried out Sects: Religious movements that break away from orthodoxy

a religious sect that has lost its revivalist dynamism and become an institutionalized body, commanding the adherence of significant numbers of people

Fragmentary religious groupings to which individuals are loosely affiliated , but which lack any permanent structure

a form of protestantism characterized by a belief in spiritual rebirth "born again"

response to growing secularism, religious diversity, and decline of Protestant values What do Evangelical Christians believe? Bible is without error salvation only comes through belief in Jesus Christ others must be converted (evangelism)

a group within evangelicalism that is highly antimodern in many of its beliefs, adhering to strict codes of morality and conduct

the advantages that well-to-do parents usually provide their children