Religion in Sociological Perspective

by Roberts, Keith A.

• ISBN13: 9780534579517
• ISBN10: 0534579515
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-09
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

This text is a highly sociological view of religion and as such stresses theoretical perspectives about religion. The text also focuses on the methodology that sociologists have used to study religion. Keith Roberts states that his own preferred approach is open systems theory, which he says focuses equally on structure and dynamics. Other texts may lean toward the religious studies end of the market, but Roberts is a true sociology text.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
I INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION	1	(42)
What Do we Mean by the Term Religion?	3	(23)
Substantive Definitions	4	(3)
A Functional Definition	7	(2)
A Symbolic Definition	9	(4)
Implications of One's Definition for Research	13	(7)
The Concept of Religion as Employed in This Text	20	(2)
Distinction between Religion and Magic	22	(2)
A Final Word about Definitions	24	(1)
Summary	25	(1)
A Scientific Perspective on Religion	26	(17)
The Sociological Perspective	28	(2)
Resistance to the Scientific Study of Religion	30	(2)
Sociology and the Language of Causality	32	(1)
Sociological Methods of Studying Religion	33	(9)
Historical Analysis	33	(1)
Cross-Cultural Analysis	34	(2)
Experimentation	36	(1)
Participant Observation	37	(1)
Survey Research and Statistical Analysis	38	(3)
Content Analysis	41	(1)
Summary	42	(1)
II THE COMPLEXITY OF RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS: INTEGRATION AND CONFLICT	43	(52)
Religion in the Larger Society: Macro Perspectives	45	(24)
Functional Theory and the Functions of Religion	46	(9)
Functional and Structural-Functional Analysis	46	(3)
The Functions of Religion	49	(4)
Dysfunctions of Religion and the Diversity of Consequences	53	(1)
Problems with Functional Analysis	54	(1)
Conflict Theory and Religious Conflict	55	(8)
Conflict as a Source of Social Disruption	55	(5)
Conflict as a Source of Integration	60	(1)
Conflict as a Source of Change	60	(1)
Conflict as a Pervasive Element in All Social Life	61	(1)
Problems with Conflict Analysis	62	(1)
Toward Synthesis: A Systems Model	63	(5)
Summary	68	(1)
Religious Experience, Symbol Systems, and Worldviews: Integrity and Dissonance in Religion	69	(26)
Symbolic Interaction and the Social Construction of Reality	70	(1)
Experience of the Holy	71	(4)
Myth and Ritual	75	(10)
Myth	77	(1)
Ritual	78	(6)
Relationship between Myth and Ritual	84	(1)
The Importance of Symbols	85	(1)
Worldview, Ethos, and Symbols	86	(5)
Official and Nonofficial Religion	91	(3)
Summary	94	(1)
III BECOMING AND REMAINING FAITHFUL	95	(36)
Conversion and Commitment	97	(34)
Conversion, Brainwashing, and the New Religious Movements	98	(2)
A Multidimensional Model of Commitment	100	(7)
Instrumental Commitment	101	(1)
Affective Commitment	102	(2)
Moral Commitment	104	(3)
Process Models of Conversion	107	(4)
Predisposing Conditions	107	(2)
Situational Contingencies	109	(1)
Critique and Evolution of Lofland's Process Model	109	(2)
The Religious-Insight-as-Creativity Approach	111	(5)
Creative Inspiration and Religious Inspiration	112	(4)
Religious Choices and Commitments: A Rational Choice Model	116	(4)
The Convert and Active Choice	117	(1)
Religious Choices: Costs and Benefits in a Supply and Demand ``Market''	117	(3)
Conclusions Regarding Conversion and Commitment Processes	120	(2)
``Switching'' Among Mainline Denominations	122	(7)
Summary	129	(2)
IV FORMATION AND MAINTENANCE OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS	131	(68)
Emergence and Viability of Religious Movements: Charisma and Its Routinization	133	(23)
Charisma and the Charismatic Leader	134	(2)
Social Processes in the Evolution of a Charismatic Group	136	(2)
The Routinization of Charisma	138	(3)
Dilemmas of Institutionalization	141	(11)
The Dilemma of Mixed Motivation	142	(1)
The Symbolic Dilemma: Objectification versus Alienation	143	(1)
The Dilemma of Administrative Order: Elaboration of Policy Versus Flexibility	144	(2)
The Dilemma of Delimitation: Concrete Definition versus Substitution of the Letter for the Spirit	146	(1)
The Dilemma of Power: Conversion versus Coercion	146	(2)
The Dilemma of Expansion: Rationalized Structure versus Communalism	148	(1)
Institutional Dilemmas and Social Context	149	(3)
Institutionalization as a Mixed Blessing	152	(1)
Summary	153	(3)
Survival of Religious Movements: Mobilization of Resources and Plausibility of the Worldview	156	(20)
Resource Mobilization and the Viability of Religious Movements	157	(5)
Plausibility of the Worldview	162	(5)
An Exercise in Application: The Development of the Shakers	167	(7)
Summary	174	(2)
Analysis of Religious Groups and the Evolution of Religious Organizations	176	(23)
The Church-Sect Typology	177	(7)
Early Formulations and Process Approaches	177	(3)
Single-Variable Models	180	(2)
Yinger's Multi-Linear Evolution Model	182	(2)
Social Conditions That Generate Each Type of Group	184	(3)
The Concept of Cult or NRM	187	(9)
A Restructuring of American Religion?	196	(2)
Summary	198	(1)
V RELIGION AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY	199	(52)
Religion and Social Stratification: Interactive Process	201	(18)
Religion and Economic Behavior: Religion as a Causal Variable	202	(12)
Weber's Protestant Ethic Thesis	202	(6)
Religious Values and Prosperity	208	(2)
Specific Religious Variables and Economic Consequences	210	(2)
Religious Ethics and Economic Action	212	(2)
Social Class and Religious Involvement: Religion as a Dependent Variable	214	(4)
Social Class and Religious Affiliation	214	(2)
Socioeconomic Status and Style of Religiosity	216	(1)
Overall Patterns and Trends	217	(1)
Summary	218	(1)
Social Stratification and Religious Ideology	219	(32)
Theology as Social Ideology	220	(11)
Religion and Minority Status	231	(8)
Is Religion an Opiate for the Oppressed?	231	(2)
Theodicies and Levels of Activism	233	(6)
Religion in the African American Community	239	(10)
The Unique Character of the Black Christian Experience	241	(2)
Religion of the Oppressed and Coded Messages: The Black Spiritual	243	(2)
The Leadership Role of the African American Minister	245	(2)
New Religious Movements in the African American Community	247	(1)
African American Christianity: Present Themes and Future Trends	248	(1)
Summary	249	(2)
VI RELIGION AND PREJUDICE: RACE AND GENDER	251	(52)
Religion and Prejudice: Christianity and Racism	253	(19)
Empirical Findings	254	(2)
Racism as a Worldview	256	(2)
Sources of Racial Prejudice in Christianity	258	(10)
Meaning Factors	258	(5)
Belonging Factors	263	(3)
Institutional Factors	266	(2)
Social Conflict and Religious Expression: The Conflict Perspective	268	(3)
Summary	271	(1)
Religion and Prejudice: Christianity, Gender, and Sexism	272	(31)
Empirical Findings on Religion and Gender Roles	273	(1)
Sources of Sexism in Christianity	274	(17)
Meaning Factors	275	(6)
Belonging Factors	281	(2)
Institutional Factors	283	(8)
Social Conflict and Religious Expression: The Conflict Perspective	291	(5)
Gender, Heterosexism, and Homophobia: A Religious Connection?	296	(4)
Summary	300	(3)
VII SOCIAL CHANGE AND RELIGIOUS ADAPTATION	303	(96)
Secularization: Religion in Decline or in Transformation?	305	(24)
Traditional Models of Secularization	306	(4)
Secularization as Religious Decline: Loss of Sacredness and Decline of Social Consensus	307	(1)
Secularization as Religious Evolution and Development: Increased Complexity of Thought and Greater Religious Autonomy	308	(2)
Is Secularization Self-Limiting?	310	(4)
Neo-Secularization Theory	314	(4)
Secularization at Various Levels of Social Analysis	314	(3)
Secularization in Two Dimensions	317	(1)
Reading the Trends in Religious Commitment	318	(7)
Resurgence of Religion in the United States and Canada?	318	(2)
Decline of Religion in the United States and Canada?	320	(4)
Analysis of Church Membership Patterns	324	(1)
Modernization of Religion	325	(2)
A Final Note on Faith, Secularization, and the Events of September 11, 2001	327	(1)
Summary	328	(1)
The Marketing of Religion	329	(25)
Evangelical Foundations of a Marketing Perspective on Conversion and Recruitment	330	(2)
Televangelism and Marketing of the Faith	332	(9)
Applying and Extending Marketing Principles to Television Ministry	333	(2)
The Televangelism Audience	335	(3)
Does Televangelism Undermine Commitment to Local Congregations?	338	(1)
Do the Medium and the Marketing Transform the Message?	339	(2)
``New Paradigm'' and ``Seeker'' Churches: Congregations with a Marketing Strategy	341	(8)
The Audience: Targeting Markets	342	(2)
Creating an Appealing ``Product''	344	(2)
A Possible Dilemma for Sustained Church Growth	346	(1)
Pragmatism about Methods and an Uncompromising Message	346	(3)
Must Religious Groups Either Become Market-Sensitive or Face Decline?	349	(2)
Secularization within Evangelical Circles	351	(1)
Summary	352	(2)
Alternative Forms of Religion	354	(18)
Civil Religion	355	(8)
Civil Religion in the United States	356	(4)
Prophetic and Priestly Versions	360	(1)
Official and Folk Versions	361	(1)
Civil Religion and Social Integration	361	(2)
Invisible Religions	363	(4)
Privatization: ``Do-It-Yourself Religion''	365	(2)
Quasi-Religious Movements	367	(4)
Summary	371	(1)
Religion and Globalization	372	(27)
The Globalization Process	374	(2)
The Emergence of Global Theologies	376	(3)
Impact of Globalization on Traditional Religions	379	(9)
Diffusion of Modernization and Religious Response	380	(3)
The Globalization of Communication Technologies and Religion	383	(3)
World Population Patterns and Religious Consequences	386	(2)
The Role of Religion in International Politics	388	(9)
Diffusion of Western Religion and Consequences in International Politics	388	(1)
Transnational versus Autocephalous Churches	389	(1)
Religion, Local or Ethnic Identity, and World Peace	390	(4)
Toward a Global Civil Religion?	394	(3)
Summary	397	(2)
Epilogue The Sociological Perspective on Religion: A Concluding Comment	399	(2)
Bibliography	401	(30)
Credits	431	(2)
Index	433