Religion

Question 0

What is religion

Answer 0

A religion is a system of meaning for interpreting the world. It is a unified system of beliefs with a supernatural referent

Question 1

Atheist

Answer 1

Pushing religion onto people

Forced to pray

Question 2

Humanist perspective

Answer 2

Religions suggest that our existence has meaning

Whereas humanists maintain that life has no meaning we have to give it meaning

Question 3

Operationalization

Answer 3

Set of rules of measuring an abstract concept in the real world

Question 4

Cults

Answer 4

Beliefs ventured around a leader

Question 5

Marx and Opium

Answer 5

1 religion / god is a human creation
2 religion is the opium of people
3 religion maintains an unequal, exploitive society
4 it delays the inevitable transition to communism
5 religion will eventually fade away

Question 7

Durkheim and holey answers

Answer 7

1 religion is a social/human construction
2 religion contributes to the collective conscience
3 religion identifies this as sacred and profane
4 religion will continue to impact people and their behaviour

Question 8

Durkheim ii

What does religion do

Answer 8

Fosters cohesion
offer support during crisis
Addresses ultimate questions 
Provides social service
Legitimizes political authority 
Influences social change

Question 9

Weber and ‘Spirit’

Answer 9

1) Wrote the protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism
2) We should examine religion in terms of how it affects the ways in which we behave
3) Religion has been instrumental in shaping modern day capitalism
4) Religion creates power for some leaders

Question 10

Personal Religiosity

Bibby

Answer 10

Argues that we should consider the following dimensions if religion to assess its impact upon us

1) Belief (God)
2) Practice (praying)
3) Experience (see or speak directly to God)
4) Knowledge (knowledge of the bible etc)

Question 11

Collective Religiosity

Durkheim

Answer 11

Know how people behave individuality and collectively

Look at religions as corporations

Question 12

Organizational Approach

Bibby

Answer 12

1) Sources of members
2) Goals of the Group
3) Norms and roles used to establish purpose
4) Sanctions to ensure conformity
5) its overall success

Question 13

Sources of Religiosity

Answer 13

1) Reflection
2) Socialization – socialized into religion at a young age
3) Deprivation – Deprived in some way, seek some sort of escape

Question 14

Religion in Canada

Answer 14

1. High degree of religious tolerance and separation of church and state
2. Catholics and protestants have the most followers, but numbers are now declining
3. Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist followers are increasing due to immigration

Question 15

Fragmented Gods

Answer 15

Canadians are turning to fragments of traditional religions

Question 16

Conclusion

Answer 16

Marx, Durkheim and Weber held very different views on religion and religiosity. Marx was very critical of religion, Durkheim believed it was quite functional, whereas Weber was simply interested in its effects on society