Religion in Society : A Sociology of Religion

by Johnstone, Ronald L.

• ISBN13: 9780131113923
• ISBN10: 0131113925
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: PRENTICE-HALL

Summary

Using an unbiased, balanced approach, the 8th edition of" "this text puts religion in its social context by discussing the impact of society on religion while helpg readers understand the role and function of religion in society that occur "regardless" of anyone' s claims about the truth or falsity of religious systems.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
PART I INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION
Chapter 1 The Sociological Perspective	1	(19)
Characteristics of the Sociology of Religion	1	(2)
Central Sociological Assumptions	3	(3)
A Sociological Definition of Religion	6	(1)
The Characteristics of Religion	7	(5)
A Formal Definition of Religion	12	(1)
Application of the Definition	13	(3)
Final Reflection on the Definition of Religion	16	(1)
A Concluding Historical Note: The Development of the Sociology of Religion	17	(1)
Notes	18	(2)
Chapter 2 The Sources of Religion	20	(17)
Revelation as Origin	21	(1)
The "Natural-Knowledge-of-God" Explanation	22	(1)
Anthropological Explanations	23	(2)
Psychological Explanations	25	(2)
Sociological Views	27	(6)
Rational Choice Theory	33	(1)
Conclusion	34	(1)
Notes	35	(2)
Chapter 3 Religion as a Group Phenomenon	37	(18)
Religion and the Characteristics of a Group	37	(2)
Religion and the Five Functional Prerequisites of Group Life	39	(6)
The Effects of Increasing Group Size	45	(2)
The Bureaucratization of Religion	47	(4)
Religious Leadership	51	(3)
Notes	54	(1)
Chapter 4 Becoming Religious	55	(31)
Elements in Religious Socialization	55	(2)
Methods of Religious Socialization	57	(2)
Measuring the Impact of Religious Socialization	59	(3)
Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: Group Affiliation	62	(3)
Sociological Definitions of Religiosity: The Individual Approach	65	(2)
Sociological Measures of Religiosity: Multidimensional Measures	67	(3)
Internalization of Religion	70	(4)
Religious Conversion	74	(4)
Deconversion	78	(2)
The Deprogramming Controversy	80	(2)
Conclusion	82	(1)
Notes	83	(3)
PART II RELIGION AS SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Chapter 5 The Church-Sect Continuum of Religious Organization	86	(28)
The Sect	86	(2)
The Church	88	(1)
The Denomination	89	(1)
The Formation of Sects	90	(2)
The Impact of Deprivation on Sect Development	92	(3)
The Evolution of Sects	95	(3)
The Institutionalized Sect	98	(3)
The Cult	101	(6)
Other Non-American Cults	107	(3)
Refinements of the Church-Sect Typology	110	(1)
Notes	111	(3)
Chapter 6 Religious Conflict	114	(20)
Conflict Theory	114	(3)
Religious Conflict in History	117	(1)
Contemporary Examples of Religious Conflict	118	(5)
Intrareligious Conflict	123	(8)
Challenges to Society from Religious Groups	131	(1)
Conclusion	132	(1)
Notes	132	(2)
PART III RELIGION IN SOCIETY
Chapter 7 Religion and Politics	134	(29)
The Relationship of Religion and Politics	135	(2)
The Influence of Religion on Politics	137	(16)
Civil Religion	153	(2)
Religion and Politics in the Third World	155	(5)
Notes	160	(3)
Chapter 8 Religious Fundamentalism	163	(27)
The Concept of Fundamentalism: Its Origin and Use	163	(4)
Protestant Fundamentalism	167	(12)
Jewish Fundamentalism	179	(3)
Islamic Fundamentalism	182	(5)
The Future	187	(1)
Notes	188	(2)
Chapter 9 Religion and the Economy	190	(15)
Religion as an Economic Institution	190	(2)
Religion as a Shaper of Economic Attitudes and Behavior	192	(8)
An Assessment of the Relationship between Religion and Economics	200	(3)
Notes	203	(2)
Chapter 10 Religion and the Class System	205	(21)
Differences in Religious Meaning and Expression among Social Classes	206	(2)
Differential Denominational Affiliation by Social Class	208	(7)
Social Stratification within Religious Groups	215	(1)
Stratification, Religion, and Race	216	(8)
Notes	224	(2)
Chapter 11 Women and Religion	226	(41)
The Relationship of Women to Religion in Historical Perspective	226	(2)
The Historical Patterns	228	(5)
Contemporary Responses	233	(23)
Female-Dominated Religions	256	(2)
Predictions	258	(3)
Application of Rational Choice Theory	261	(1)
Conclusion	262	(1)
Notes	262	(5)
PART IV RELIGION IN AMERICA
Chapter 12 Major Historical Developments	267	(21)
Intolerant Beginnings	267	(2)
The Constitutional Compromise	269	(3)
The Frontier Challenge	272	(4)
The Ordeal of Pluralism	276	(4)
Religious Social Concern	280	(3)
The Post-World War II Revival	283	(3)
Notes	286	(2)
Chapter 13 Black and Native American Religion in America	288	(30)
The Historical Development of the Black Church as a Social Institution	288	(7)
Militancy in the Black Church	295	(6)
New Themes in Black Religion	301	(4)
Other Religious Options for African Americans	305	(2)
Native American Religion	307	(8)
Notes	315	(3)
Chapter 14 Denominational Society	318	(33)
The Multiplicity of Groups	318	(1)
The Diversity of Groups	319	(1)
Major Denominational Families	320	(17)
Special Interest Religious Groups	337	(1)
Ecumenism	338	(6)
The Continued Viability of Denominationalism	344	(4)
Notes	348	(3)
Chapter 15 The Future of Religion	351	(30)
Level of Religious Activity	352	(2)
The Growth and Decline of Membership	354	(8)
Continuity in the Traditional Social Functions of Religion	362	(4)
The Factor of Secularization	366	(6)
The Conflict over the Purpose of Religion	372	(4)
Conclusion	376	(2)
Notes	378	(3)
Index	381

Excerpts

The field of the sociology of religion remains rich and bountiful. Fortunately the quality of researchers is higher than ever, with many bright and well-trained young social scientists joining the ranks eager to make contributions to their chosen field. It is exciting and invigorating to be part of this surge of interest and effort. As we observe both the many developments and events within societies that have religion as a core ingredient, and as we read the increasing amount of solid research and theorizing in the sociology of religion, it is clear that this seventh edition has a deep reservoir to plumb. Accordingly we have added a significant amount of new material as well as expanded the treatment of subjects that had already been introduced in earlier editions (and we dropped a few pages also). We present a summary below. Included rational choice theory as a major contribution to understanding religion's role and function in society, particularly as rational choice theory deals with the secularization hypothesis, but also as rational choice theory clarifies our understanding of several other substantive issues. Expanded the discussion of cults outside Western societies: one in Uganda (Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God), one in China (The Falun Gong), and one in Afghanistan (Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda). Brings readers up to date on the continuing internal conflicts in the Southern Baptist Convention and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Included a new discussion of interreligious conflict in Asia: Hindu-Muslim, Muslim-Christian, Hindu-Christian, and Hindu-Muslim-Sikh. Updated U.S. Supreme Court cases through 2002 and added discussion of church-state cases reaching the courts concerning public school prayer, school vouchers for religious schools, and the removal of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Added a substantial new section on the Third World Islamist Movement as a politico-religious movement, including recent history, the concept of Jihad, and the emergence of al Qaeda, also noting relevant theology and parallels in the Christian tradition. Expanded the section on Islamic Fundamentalism in several manifestations as well as its relationship to terrorism originating in the Middle East. Included 2000 U.S. Census data on growth in the ranks of female clergy, discussed the ordination of the first female Orthodox Jewish rabbi, expanded and updated discussion of enrollment of women at both Protestant and Catholic theological schools, and applied rational choice theory to my predictions about additional denominations deciding to ordain women. Described some recent movement within the black church away from the sect end of the church-sect continuum and made two applications of rational choice theory to African American religion. Added a major new section on non-Western religions to the discussion of denominationalism in the United States--Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism--with an emphasis on changed patterns of immigration from Asia. Provided current data (2000) showing dramatic differences in membership gains and losses among "higher tension" and "lower tension" religious groups. Included a substantial discussion of challenges to Catholic teachings and authority by laypersons, with emphasis on the disenchantment of many with respect to papal pronouncements on birth control and the American priestly pedophilia scandal. Retained the concept of secularization as differentiation and incorporated an application of rational choice theory to that concept and also included an important modification and clarification of secularization theory by Mark Chaves. Updated the discussion of ecumenism and described the death and rebirth of the Consultation on Church Union (COCU) in 2001. The number, structure, and sequence of chapters have remained