SOC 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Gettysburg Address, Vedas, Polytheism
Document Summary
Establishment cause passage in 1st amendment states that congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . Religion system of common beliefs and rituals centered on sacred things that unites believers and provides a sense of meaning and purpose. Theism belief in one or more supernatural deities. Social elements of religion: religion is a form of culture, religion includes the ritualization and routinization of beliefs, religion provides a sense of purpose and meaning. How sociologists study religion: avoid studying whether religious beliefs are true or false, interested in the social organization of religion, examine the function of religion as a source of solidarity within a group or society. If a single religion dominates a society, it may function as a key source of social stability: study the ways in which social forces affect people"s commitment to religion. Anthropology study of human cultures and societies and their development.