Sociology Chapter 17

religion

a system of beliefs and practices (rituals) that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a single moral community

theologian

study specific religious doctrines or belief systems

sacred canopy

a sheltering fabric hanging over people that gives them security and provides answers for the questions of life

faith

unquestioning belief that does not require proof or scientific evidence

sacred

aspects of life that are extraordinary or supernatural

profane

the everyday, secular (wordly) aspects of life

rituals

regularly repeated and carefully prescribed forms of behavior that symbolize a cherished value or belief

religious marketplace

religious institutions and traditions compete for adherents, and worshippers shop for a religion in much the same way that consumers decide what goods and services they will purchase in the marketplace

simple supernaturalism

the belief tht supernatural forces affect people's lives either positively or negatively

animism

the belief that plants, animals, or other elements of the natural world are endowed with spirits or life forces taht have an impact on events in society

theism

a belief in a god or gods

monotheism

a belief in a single, supreme being or god who is responsible for significant events such as the creation of the world

polytheism

a belief in more than one god

nontheistic religion

a religion based on a belief in divine spiritual forces such as sacred principles of thought and conduct, rather than a god or gods

secularization

the process by which religious beliefs, practices, and institutions lose their significance in sectors of society and culture

collective representations

group-held meanings that express something important about the group itself

civil religion

the set of beliefs, rituals, and symbols that makes sacred the values of the society and places the nation in the context of the ultimate system of meaning

ideologies

systematic views of the way the world ought to be

predestination

the belief that even before they are born, all people are divided into two groups, the saved and the damned, and only God knows who will go to heaven and who will go to hell

Vedas

Hindu texts and hymns

ethical religion

a system of beliefs that calls upon adherents to follow an ideal way of life

jivas

Hindu souls

moska

limitless atmosphere of illumination

dharma

duties or responsibilities

samsara

reincarnation

karma

deed or act; doctrine of moral law of cause and effect

nirvana

becoming liberated from the world by uniting the individual souls with the universal soul

enlightenment

an awakening to the true nature of reality

Buddha

the Enlightened One" or "the Awakened One

Theravadin Buddhism

focuses on the life of the Buddha and seeks to follow his teachings

Mahayana Buddhism

primarily focuses on meditation and the Four Noble Truths

Vajrayana

incorporates the first two branches of Buddhism along with some aspects of Hinduism

ahimsa

nonharmfulness; discourages violence and warfare

Confucianism

family of scholars

Analects

holds the sayings of Confucius

junzi

model persons for Confucianism

Li

righteousness or propriety

ren (jen)

having deep empathy or compassion for other humans

rabbi

a teacher or ordained interpreter and leader of Judaism

zionism

the movement to establish and maintain a Jewish homeland in Israel

Qur'an

holy book of Muslims

jihad

struggle; core belief of Islam

eclesia

a religious organization that is so integrated into the dominant culture that it claims as its membership all members of a society

church

a large, bureaucratically organized religious organization that tends ot seek accommodation with the larger society in order to maintain some degree of control over it

denomination

a large organized religion characterized by accommodation to society but frequently lacking in ability or intention to dominate society

religious pluralism

a situation in which many religious groups exist because they hav a special appeal to specific segments of the population

sect

relatively small religious group that has broken away from another religious organization to renew what it views as the original version of the faith

cult

a loosely organized religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of society

secularization

the decline in the significance of the sacred in daily life

fundamentalism

a traditional religious doctrine that is conservative, is typically opposed to modernity, and rejects "worldly pleasures" in favor of otherwordly spirituality

secular humanism

the belief that humans can become better through their own effort rather than belief in God and religious conversion

liberation theology

the Christian movement that advocates from political subjugation within a traditional perspective and the need for social transformation to benefit the poort and downtrodden