SOCA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Symbolic Interactionism, Feminist Theory, Social Conflict
Document Summary
Chapter 16: theoretical approaches to the sociology of religion. Collective effervescence: excites us by making us feel part of something larger than we are. When people live together, they come to share common sentiments and values- collective conscience. These common sentiments and values form a collective conscience that is larger than any individual"s. Direct collective conscience: profane from the religious, world of sacred. Certain objects are designated to symbolize the sacred. Certain public practices to connect us with the sacred. Effect of ritual and of religion is to reinforce social solidarity: rituals. Durkheim"s theory of religion is a functionalist account. And often when religion does increase social cohesion, it often reinforces social inequality. First world religions, judaism and hinduism, 3800 to 4000 years ago. Rise of buddhism, christianity and islam between 2700-1500 year ago. Over generations, the charismatic leadership of the world religions became routinized .
