Theories of Religion

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Theories of Religion
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Functionalism

• Essential function of religion is to provide
  through sacred symbols a mirror for members of
  society to see themselves.
• See Sec. 2 Why Religion?

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Conflict Theory

• Religion works to either inhibit or encourage
  social change.
• See Karl Marx and Max Weber

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Symbolic Interactionism

• Religious beliefs, rituals, and ideas tell people
  the difference between the sacred and the profane
  and provide stability and security in a changing
  and uncertain existence.
• There are no atheists in foxholes.

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Sec. 4 Religion in the U.S.
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Development of Religion in America

• Religious Freedom
• Puritans viewed themselves as a religious example
  for the world to follow and admire.
• City upon a hill
• Framers of the Constitution were leery of
  connecting religion and government.

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Secularization

• Process through which the sacred loses influence
  over society.
• Only 57 in 2001 claimed religion was important
  to them.
• However, some studies argue only 8 of Americans
  define themselves as without religious
  preference.
• According to research, 96 of Americans believe
  in God or a deity.

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Religious Preferences

• Most recent figures I have say
• 58 of Americans are protestant (20 baptist)
• 25 of Americans are Catholic. Roughly 60 million
  are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

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Fundamentalism in America

• The resistance of secularization and the rigid
  adherence to traditional religious beliefs,
  rituals, and doctrines.
• Most are politically conservative
• Science vs. the Bible
• Emphasis on social service (the Great Commission)
• Literal truth of the Bible.
• Born-Again
• Strong belief in Revelations
• Speaking in tongues???

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Fundamentalism is strong today

• Because
• World is out of control, the end is near!
• Emphasis on warmth, love, and caring for people
  that need it. Less strict than mainline
  churches.
• More sacred.
• Less traditional
• Fundamentalism is in all Protestant
  organizations, but they are Predominately found
  in Mormons, Assemblies of God, the Seventh-Day
  Adventists, Baptists, and Jehovahs Witnesses.

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Religion, Class, and Politics

• Based on income
• High Class Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and
  Jews.
• Middle Class Lutherans, Catholics, and
  Methodists.
• Lower Class Baptists
• Higher class attends church more and very devoted
  to rituals.
• Higher class are usually Republicans
• Middle-Lower Class usually Democrats.

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Religion, Science and Society

• Examine humanitys relationship to the world.
• Debate over creation and evolution.
• What can be taught in schools?