SOC 1010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: David Koresh, Branch Davidians, Fundamentalism

• School: University of Iowa
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1010
• Professor: Lovaglia Michael

Document Summary

Social theorists have been predicting the decline of world religions for hundreds of years. There is a historical trend away from religious observance. Conservative doctrine opposing intellectualism and in favor of traditional religious. Fundamental and conservative religions are growing. liberal and progressive religions. People who attend religious services regularly are less likely to be arrested or convicted. Communities with high attendance at religious services have less crime and lower. Religion promotes tolerance, help and protection for people within a religious group. Religion is powerful because it coordinates the work of many people toward a common. By promoting group solidarity, religion also promotes conflict with out-groups. Sociologists measure the success of religions on terms of their growth in membership. Most new religious movements die out in a few years, some end dramatically. In 1978, 900 members committed mass suicide are stable or declining. Religion promotes group solidarity: of a crime suicide rates goal.