SOC 103 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Talcott Parsons, Gemeinschaft And Gesellschaft, Mind Control

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 103
• Professor: Teppermann

Document Summary

Religion: any system of beliefs about the supernatural & the social groups that gather around these beliefs consider themselves either moderately or highly religious. Economic growth accompanied the rationalization of society & accumulation of scientific knowledge. Religion lost much of its relevance in the west , we are now more autonomous. Although attendance at religious services has decreased over the years, many people report worshipping in their own homes. Church: any social location or building where people carry our religious rituals. Canada is a multi-faith society (80% of canadians identify as christian) & christianity still influences public life. Classic studies: the elementary forms of religious life. Durkheim: the elementary forms of religious life (1968 [1912]): totemism: use of natural objects & animals to symbolize spirituality, adopted by small pre-literate societies to symbolize faith in a higher power. They connect people, providing an opportunity to escape everyday life called profane life into a higher, sacred plane of experience.