Sociology-religion/beliefs

• Beliefs


  Ideas or convictions that individuals or groups hold to be true even when they are not based on evidence
• Religion


  Often defined narrowly as a belief system related to supernatural beings or divine forces. However, there are several ways of defining religion including substantive, functional and social constructionist approaches
• Substantive definitions:

  Substantive definitions focus on the content or substance of religious beliefs and practices. I.e. belief in God or the supernatural.
• Functional definitions:

  They define it in terms of the social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society.
• Sacred


  Things set apart and forbidden, that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder
• Profane


  Things that have no special significance – ordinary and mundane
• Totemism


  A form of religion practised by the Australian Aboriginal people in which totem (usually a plant or animal) symbolises that clan and sacred
• Civil religion


  A belief system such as nationalism that provides a functional alternative to conventional religions by fulfilling the same functions for example by providing share values and promoting social cohesion
• New Christian Right


  A term originating in the USA to describe Christian groups with links to the right-wing Republican Party
• Goddess religion


  Religion that honours the Divine Feminine, the female side of divine
• Fundamentalism


  A form of religion whose adherents want to return to what they see as the core doctrines of the faith as set out in the sacred texts
• Compensators


  Beliefs that rewards can be obtained at some point in the future
• Collective Conscience


  The shared morality of members of society
• Alienation


  The cutting off of people from their work, the things they produce, from others and from their true selves
• Conservative force


  A factor such as religion or the mass media that inhibits rather than promotes social, economic or political change
• Predestination


  The belief that god has predetermined whether people will be saved or damned after they die
• Protestant ethic


  Weber used this term to refer to the value that Calvinists placed on the importance of thrift, abstaining from pleasure and the duty to work hard in one's calling
• Ascetic


  An austere and self-disciplined lifestyle that does not involve indulging in any of life's pleasures
• Secular beliefs


  Beliefs that have no connection to religion
• Hegemony


  The means by which the ruling class maintain their dominance and control over the subject class
• Ideology


  A set of dominant ideas in society that distort reality and serve the interests of a particular group such as men or the ruling class
• Dominant ideology


  In Marxist terms, this refers to the ideological power of the ruling class in society. In capitalist societies, for example, the ideas of the bourgeoise are the ruling class
• Open belief system


  A set of ideas that makes knowledge claims base don the testing of evidence. As a result, its beliefs develop over time. Science is seen as an open belief system that tests evidence through observation and experimentation
• Closed belief system


  A set of ideas that is not open to testing or criticism so its beliefs tend not to change. Religion and magic are seen as examples of closed belief system. Religion, for instance, is based on faith rather than on the testing of evidence
• Church


  The dominant religious organisation in a society, which usually claims a monopoly of the religious truth
• Denomination


  A religious organisation that has broken away from the main religious organisation in a society and that accepts the legitimacy of other religious organisations
• Sect


  A relatively small religious organisation which is in conflict with other belief systems in a society
• New religious movements


  Religious/spiritual organisations and movements which developed from the 1960s
• Accommodation


  Adapting religious belief in response to changed environment
• Secularisation


  The decline in social significance of religion
• Fundamentalist


  A set of religious beliefs that advocates returning to the 'fundamental' original teaching of a particular religion
• Equalitarianism


  A belief that all members of society should be treated equally
• What does functionalism emphasize in society?

  Functionalism emphasizes consensus and cooperation in society.
• What does religion provide to individuals according to functionalists?

  Religion provides emotional support and meaning to individuals.
• How do religious rituals contribute to society?

  Religious rituals like weddings or funerals bring people together, reinforcing social bonds and shared beliefs.
• What does Durkheim believe religion creates in society?

  Durkheim believes religion creates social solidarity.
• How does Durkheim's study of Australian aboriginal totemism illustrate his views on religion?


  Durkheim studied Australian aboriginal totemism to show how religious symbols represent the clan itself, fostering group unity.
• What are the key functions of religion according to functionalists?

  1. Social cohesion: Fosters belonging and shared identity. 2. Social control: Maintains social order through moral guidelines. 3. Providing meaning and purpose: Offers explanations for life's big questions. 4. Psychological support: Provides comfort during difficult times. 5. Social change: Can promote social reform.
• What do feminists argue about religion in relation to women?

  That religion discriminates against women and is patriarchal
• What are the three feminist views on religion discussed?


  1. Religion discriminates against women and is patriarchal.
  2. Religion compensates women for their inferior position.
  3. Religion is interpreted by men in patriarchal cultures to dominate women.