SOCL 2001 Chapter : Religion
Document Summary
A social institution, a system of beliefs that guide human behavior and unites believers into a community. Cults- group devoted to beliefs that are outside mainstream society. Sect- religious group who breaks from established religion to for its own (some are small and disappear over time) amish, quakers. 55% say religion is important to their lives the number is declining. Affiliation- 15% no religious preference, about half of us adults have changed affiliation. Participation- 40% (4 in 10) attend religious services once a week (declining) 27% seldom or never attend. Age- 65+ are more likely to go to services, pray, say religion is important in their lives. Social class- the more income the less religious beliefs (correlates with educational attainment) Trends in us- generally higher income nation: less religious but in the year 2000 82% gained comfort and strength in religion. Secularization- decline of the importance of the supernatural (claiming no religious preference has gone up)
