Beliefs in Society Key Terms

I have added to a set of terms i have found on here.

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Enlightenment
18th century period of moving away from superstition and towards reason
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Functional Definition
explaining something in terms of the function it provides to society
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Constructionalist Definitions
Interpretivitist approach- focuses on how members of society themselves define religion.
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Animism
Belief in ghosts or spirits
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Ideology
(usually containig negative connotation) a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
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Substantive Definition
Focuses on the content (substance) or religious belief in the supernation. They are also exclusive- as they draw a clear line between religious and non-religious belief
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Sacred
Awe, terror and reverence- associated with Emile Durkheim
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Profane
Boring, mundane, non-religious aspects of life - associated with Emile Durkheim
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Totems
(Durkheim's functionalist view of religion) objects e.g. drawing of animals or plants that are believed to have supernatural powers
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Ideological Apparatus
(Marxism) agencies use this to persuade subordinated groups that inequality is natural and normal. Instils a sense of false consciousness.
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Anomie
(Term was first introduced by Emile Durkheim) refers to a state of confusion or normlessness.
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Civil Religion
Events or activities that involve ritualistic patterns and serve to generate collective sentiments, usually associated with established religions.
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Collective Conscience
(key in Durkheim's functionalist theory) beliefs, values help by members of society that are imperative in establishing social solidarity, order, and power. Without it, there would be no religion.
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Totemism
One of the most basic forms of religion. Durkheim studied this . Aborigionie religion system of belief in which humans are said to have a mystical relationship with a spirit-being, e.g. animal/plant. The entity, or totem, is the clan's emblem.
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Ascetic
Self-denying. Reference Calvinism and Max Weber.
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Calvinists
(Max Weber's theory of capitalism) a 17th century sect of Protestantism that is based on the thinking of John Calvin.
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Charismatic Leader
Max Weber- "resting on devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual person, and of the normative patterns or order revealed or ordained by him."
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Fundamentalist Religion
“Black‐and‐white” thinking that opposes modernism, or progressive thinking about religion. Also believe they have a monopoly and challenge anything that opposes their shared beliefs.
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Hegemony
(Marxism) when the dominating ruling class spead ideas to the working class which reflect their own interests and do not benefit the working class- they believe it is a societal norm.
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Liberation Theology
a religious movement especially among Roman Catholic clergy in Latin America that combines political philosophy usually of a Marxist orientation with a theology of salvation as liberation from injustice.
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Predestination
Calvinist belief that an individuals' destiny is decided and divinely ordained before birth. There is nothing they can do to change their fate.
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Relative Autonomy
(Marxist idea)the state can and does play a limited independent role in the maintenance and stabilization of capitalist society. Although we do have freedom- this is limited.
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Religiosity
The importance of religion is someone's life.
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Status Quo
To maintain or change existing social structure and values.
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Theodicy
Religious ideas/ arguments which attempt to answer the fundamental questions about the nature of existance (towards God).
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Bureaucratic
Max Weber- most efficient and rational cetnralised form of organisation, run by official representatives.
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Globalisation
The growth of global consciousness or the process whereby social and economic activity spans many nations, despite national borders. Examples include social media, cheap plane tickets and the global drugs trade.
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Meta-Narratives
(Postmodernism) offers society a 'grand explanation' which has not fully been completed as an idea.
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Monopoly of Truth
Absolute view that the viewpoint of a certain group is the only one which is true.
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Religious Pluralism
E.G. in America where a variety of religions exist in a multi-cultural society- all have equal validity.
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Spiritual Shoppers
Postmodernist- links to marketisation in which people 'shop around' for a religion which fits in which them. Must more internalised spirituality. Also called Pick-a-Mix Religion.
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Holistic Milieu
Variety of activities which involve the mind, body and spirits.
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Grand Narrative
Belief system which claims to explain the world e.g. religion or science.
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Relative Deprevation
The lack of resources to sustain the diet, lifestyle, activities and amenities that an individual or group are accustomed to or that are widely encouraged or approved in the society to which they belong.
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Resacrilisation
Religious revival incited by renewed interest and belief in religion.
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Social Dislocation
Feeling where one is being uprooted- leads to a sense of anomie.
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Theodicy of Disprivileged
The belief of the promise that salvation may be granted as a reward for earthly poverty. It can be one of many reason that explain the large numbers of lower class people who join religious sects or partake in mainstream religious practice.
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Asceticism
Self-discipline and denial of individual pleasure.
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Conversionalist
Religious groups who aim to convert as many people as possible e.g. Mormans due to their salvation panic.
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Evangelical Goals
The aim of converting others to your faith.
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Introversionalist
World-rejecting sects.
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Patriarchal
Feminism- origin is Greek and translates to "the rule of the father". Idea that men hold a higher position in power and actively us this to subordinate women.
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Assimilate
The gradual process by which a person or group belonging to one culture adopts the practices of another, thereby becoming a member of that culture.
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Cultural Hybridity
To mix and match different cultural influences in one's lfie.
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Pentecostal Movement
Fundamentalist Christian organisations who seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (See Durkheim's functionalist theory of collective conscience).
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Dogma
Doctrine or system of doctrines proclaimed by ecclesiastical authority as true. a belief, principle, or doctrine or a code of beliefs, principles, or doctrines.
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Broad Approach
(Secularisation Theory) asks whether religion has lost it's significance in the social system.
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Desacrilization
The loss of sacred explanations to scientific ones or the distribution of functions and powers a decentralization of powers.
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Disappearance Thesis
Idea that modernity is bringing about the death of religion.
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Disengagement
When religious institutions become less engaged with the wider aspects of social life.
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Ecumenical Movements
The efforts by Christians of different church traditions to develop closer relationships and better understandings.
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Individualism
Idea in religion where people are now putting the interests of the individual before the interests of the social group/society.
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Narrow Approach
Focusing on religion at the macro level of individual consciousness.
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Rationalisation
(Emerged from the Enlightenment era) the replacement of superstition and religion in favour of empiricism and science.
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Religious Compensators
(Idea mainly within Marxism: Lenin "spiritual gin") idea that the good parts of religion provide temporary answers to the fundamental questions about the nature of existance. Satifies the individual.
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Secularisation
When religion loses its social/cultural significance, society becomes restricted and they lose their cultural authority as religious organisations have little power.
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Secularisation Thesis
belief in the declining influence of religion and the idea that intellectual and scientific developments have undermined the spiritual, supernatural, superstitious and paranormal ideas on which religion relies for its legitimacy.
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Vicarious Religion
“the notion of religion performed by an active minority but on behalf of a much larger. number, who (implicitly at least) not only understand, but, quite clearly, approve of what the. minority is doing”
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Open System
Karl Popper: " wehre every scientist's theories are open to scrutiny, criticism and testing by others. As such, it is able to grow. E.g. science.
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Closed System
E.G. religion which claims to have special knowledge of the absolute truth. This knowledge is sacred by divine authority and does not grow.
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Free-Floating Intelligentsia
Klas Östergren and Karl Mannheim- inividuals who are detached from the social groups they represent. Standing above the conflict.
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Benge
The poison the Azande use to determine whether or not someone is a witch..
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Falsification Principle
Karl Popper's idea that scientists should set out to falsify existing theories and deliberately seek to disprove them. This allows science to build and become cumulative.
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Organismic Deprivation
(Stark and Bainbridge why women join sects) Problems with your organism i.e phsycial and mental health problems.
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Ethical Deprivation
The idea that the world is in moral decline (Stark and Bainbridge why women are more likely to join sects)
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Schism
Splitting from an established church over disagreement over doctrine.
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Self-Spirituality
New Age beliefs- Heelas: where people have decided to look inside themselves for spiruality instead of traditonal external religions.
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World-Accomodating New Religious Movements
Neither accept nor reject the world- focus on religion rather than worldly affairs by seeking to restore the purity of religion.
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World-Affirming New Religious Movements
Accept the world as is and are optimistic. Promise their followers success in worldly mainstream goals and are non-exclusive with tolerance to other religions.
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Client Cult
(Stark and Bainbridge) consultant provides services to their followers. E.G Scientology or medical miracles or mystics.
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Denominations (according to Niebuhr)
Lies midway between a church and a sect.
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'Asian Tiger Economies'
E.G. South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan- countries which have industrialised and become significant parts of the global economy.
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Cultural Defence
Bruce- where religion serves to unite a community against an external threat. This is because it signifies a groups collective identity.
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Cultural Amnesia
A loss of collective memory. People have lost the religion that used to be handed down from one generation to the next through family and church.
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Existential Security
Norris and Inglehar- 'the feeling that survival is secure enough that it can be taken for granted'.
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The Cycle of Renewal
Opposes Secularisation theory and agues that it is a perpetual cycle throughout history, in whcih religions are constantly declining and growing. Start and Bainbridge's theory.
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Televangenlism
Where religion becomes commercialised on television as an enterprise. preaches a 'prosperity gospel'.
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Re-Enchantment
The groth of unconventional beliefs, pratices and spirituality.
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'Spiritual Revolution'
The idea that traditional Abrahamic spirituality is giving way to New Age spirituality which emphasises personal development and a subjective experience.
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'Spiritual Health Service'
A service which people can use whenever they wish for weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
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Practical Relativism
Acceptance of the view that others are entitled to hold beliefs different to their own.
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The Sacred Canopy
Idea that everyone should live under the same sets of beliefs shared by all in an absolute monopoly.
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Plausability Structure
In religion, it is reasons why people find the set of beliefs plausible.
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Technological Worldview
Instead of looking for religious or superstitious explanations, we now look for scientific and technological ones to explain the mysteries of our world.
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Organic Intellectuals
Marxist idea that educators, organises and leaders should help workers see the situation they are in and aim to help the working class through trade unions etc.
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Millenarian Movements
The idea in Christianity that God will come into the world for a second time on the day of Judgement, where the collective group will be saved.
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Piety Movements
Conservative movements that support traditional teachings about women's role e.g. modest dress, prayer and Bible study. Includes Pentecostal and Evangelical groups.
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Liberal Protestant Groups
E.g. Quakers re commited to gender equality and women playing roles.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

explaining something in terms of the function it provides to society

Back

Functional Definition

Card 3

Front

Interpretivitist approach- focuses on how members of society themselves define religion.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Belief in ghosts or spirits

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

(usually containig negative connotation) a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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