beliefs in society

• What does religiosity refer to?

  Extent to which someone sees themselves as religious
• What do fundamentalists seek in their faith?

  Return to the basics or fundamentals of their faith
• What does secularisation mean?

  Decrease in power that religion has in society
• What is ideology?

  Set of ideas, values, and beliefs
• What are the two types of theistic beliefs?

  Monotheistic and polytheistic
• What characterizes New Age movements?

  Focus on self-development rather than devotion
• What does animism involve?

  Belief in spirits and ghosts impacting the world
• What is totemism?

  Community symbol representing a group with sacred significance
• What are the features of substantive definitions of religion?

  • Identify core characteristics of major religions
  • Exclusive nature: only certain belief systems qualify
  • Example: belief in a god
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of functional definitions of religion?

  Strengths:

  • Focus on societal roles of religion
  • Highlights comfort and reinforcement of values

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Too inclusive; any belief system could qualify
  • Example: supporting a football team
• What does the constructionist definition of religion focus on?

  • How definitions of religion are constructed
  • Power dynamics in defining religion
  • Example: Scientology's status as a religion
• What are the five features of religion?

  Belief in sacred beings, objects, rituals, moral code, prayer
• Why is religion often seen as a closed belief system?

  It claims to know the truth and resists criticism
• What does Popper argue about science as a belief system?

  Science is open to challenge and falsification
• How does Herberg view religion in relation to change?

  Some religions adapt to maintain relevance
• What does Kuhn argue about science as a closed belief system?

  Science operates within paradigms that resist change
• What are Polanyi's three tendencies of closed belief systems?

  Denial of legitimacy, subsidiary explanations, circularity
• What do Marxists believe about ideologies like science and religion?

  They are tools of the ruling class to maintain power
• What does postmodernism say about ideologies in society?

  Multiple ideologies reflect different social group values
• How do feminists view ideologies like science and religion?

  They promote patriarchy and gender inequality
• What are Mannheim's two types of world views?

  Ideological thought and utopian thought
• What does Evans-Pritchard's study of the Azande tribe illustrate?

  Closed belief systems can seem irrational to outsiders
• How has the growth of science impacted religion?

  It has led to a decline in some religious beliefs
• What are Merton's CUDOS norms in science?

  Communism, universalism, disinterestedness, organized skepticism
• What are the core principles of science?

  1. Pursuit of facts
  2. Objectivity
  3. Cause and effect based on reliable data
• What are the three stages of Aldridge's transitions from religious to scientific explanations?

  Theological, metaphysical, scientific stages
• What does falsification mean in science?

  It must be possible to prove a theory false
• What do interpretivists argue about knowledge?

  • Knowledge is socially constructed
  • Results from resources available to social groups
  • New instruments lead to new observations
• How do conflict theories view scientific knowledge?

  It serves the interests of specific societal groups
• What does postmodernism say about science as a metanarrative?

  Science falsely claims to find absolute truth
• What is Durkheim's view on the role of religion?

  • Maintains social cohesion and solidarity
  • Differentiates between sacred and profane
  • Reinforces collective conscience through rituals
• What does Durkheim mean by the sacred and the profane?

  Sacred things are special; profane are ordinary
• What does Durkheim's study of the Arunta Aboriginal tribe illustrate?

  Totemism reinforces clan identity and solidarity
• What is the collective conscience according to Durkheim?

  Shared norms, values, beliefs, and knowledge
• What cognitive functions does Durkheim attribute to religion?

  Origins of concepts needed for reasoning and communication
• What essential functions does Parsons attribute to religion in modern society?

  1. Legitimates central societal values
  2. Provides meaning to human experiences
• What is civil religion according to Bellah?

  • Belief system attaching sacred qualities to society
  • Integrates society beyond individual religions
  • Example: American Civil Religion
• How does religion help people cope with emotional stress?

  Provides comfort in uncontrollable situations
• What does Malinowski suggest about the role of religion in uncertain situations?

  Religion provides rituals for important, uncertain outcomes
• What does Malinowski say about lagoon fishing in the Triobrand tribe?

  No rituals are needed as it is not uncertain