Chapter Fifteen: Religion
Discuss the reasons that sociologists study religion.
Feedback:Sociologists study religion for two reasons: (1) Religion is a ubiquitous phenomenon that has a tremendous impact on
human behavior. As sociologist Meredith McGuire said, “Religion is one of the most powerful, deeply felt, and
influential forces in human society. It has shaped people’s relationships with each other, influencing family,
community, economic, and political life. … Religious values influence their actions, and religious meanings help them
interpret their experiences.” (2) Religion is part of a larger social system, affected by and affecting the other
institutions of the society; i.e., patterns of the family, the economy, education, and politics. Because religious trends
may be responses to fundamental changes in society, and some religious ideas may constrain social behaviors in a
narrowly prescribed manner, the understanding of any society is incomplete unless one comprehends the religion of
that society.
Source ID: 3.0.1
Learning Objective: LO 15.1: Compare and contrast the order and conflict perspectives of religion.
Topic/Concept: Studying Religion
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q15.1.52
Discuss the social consequences of a group of people having the same religious heritage and beliefs.
Feedback:(1) Unity: All believers, whether of high or low status, young or old, are united through the sharing of religious beliefs.
Religion integrates through the holding of common values to be cherished, sins to be avoided, rules to be followed,
and symbols to be revered. Group unity is also accomplished through the universal feeling that God or the gods look
on this particular group with special favor. (2) Religion constrains the behavior of the community of believers, thus
providing a social control function in two ways: (a) there are explicit rules to obey that, if violated, are punished, and
(b) in the process of socialization, children internalize religious beliefs and rules. Each develops a conscience, which
keeps them in line through guilt and fear. (3) The strong tendency for religious beliefs to become intertwined with
secular beliefs, providing religious blessings to the values and institutions of society; e.g., the intertwining of religion
and sports, or religion and politics.
Source ID: 3.0.2
Learning Objective: LO 15.1: Compare and contrast the order and conflict perspectives of religion.
Topic/Concept: Studying Religion
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q15.2.53
Discuss the characteristics of the religious organization called a sect.
Feedback:A sect in its perfect form is the opposite of a church: (1) There is a fundamental withdrawal from and rejection of the
world. A sect is a moral community separate from and in many ways hostile toward the secular world. (2) Membership
is only through a conversion experience. Membership is therefore exclusive, voluntary, and limited to adults. Hence,
adult baptism is the only accepted form of baptism. (3) Organization is informal and unstructured. Ministers are
untrained. They became ministers by being called from the group. (4) The belief system is rigid with an emphasis on
the purity of doctrine. The Bible is the source, and it is interpreted literally. (5) There are rigid ethical requirements
restraining the members from the popular vices of drinking, smoking, card playing, dancing, and cursing.
Source ID: 3.0.3
Learning Objective: LO 15.2: Understand the organization of religion in the United States.
Topic/Concept: Distinctive Features of U.S. Religion
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q15.3.54
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