Religion in Sociological Perspective A. Roberts, Hanover College David Yamane, Wake Forest University ISBN: 9781452275826 Pub Date: 8/4/15 Price: $72 Page Count: 496 Availability Dates Sample Chapters: 4, 10, 11 Page Proofs: 7/4/15 Ancillaries: Yes Sample Syllabi: Yes Course Cartridge: No Coursesmart: No Interactive E-book: No ANCILLARY GUIDE Online resources are available at and include a password-protected Instructor Resources featuring a comprehensive test bank, active-learning instructional strategies, suggested films and videos, course assignments and projects, term paper projects, expanded chapter material from the previous edition, and a sample syllabi. TABLE OF CONTENTS – SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON FIFTH EDITION EDITION Preface xi Resources for Instructors xiii A Unique Program Supporting Teaching of Sociology xiv Acknowledgments xiv About the Authors xvi PART I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION 1 1. What Do We Mean by the Term Religion? 3 Substantive Definitions 4 Functional Definitions 6 A Symbolic Definition 8 The Concept of Religion as Employed in This Text 11 Distinction Between Religion and Magic 12 Preface xi About the Authors xvi PART I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION 1 1. What Do We Mean by the Term Religion? 2 Substantive Definitions 3 Functional Definitions 6 A Symbolic Definition 8 Distinction Between Religion and Magic 11 Invisible Religion 13 (Previously in Ch. 14) Spiritual but Not Religious? 17
Spiritual But Not Religious? 15 A Word About Definitions 18 Summary 18 2. A Social Scientific Perspective on Religion 19 The Sociological Perspective 21 Sociological Methods of Studying Religion 23 Survey Research and Statistical Analysis 24 Interviewing 28 Participant Observation 30 Content Analysis 34 Historical–Comparative Analysis 35 Experimentation 37 Triangulation 38 Summary 39 PART II. THE COMPLEXITY OF RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS: INTEGRATION AND CONFLICT 41 3. Religion in the Larger Society: Macro Perspectives 43 Functional Theory and the Functions of Religion 44 Functional and Structural Functional Analysis 44 The Functions of Religion 47 Dysfunctions of Religion and the Diversity of Consequences 50 Problems With Functional Analysis 51 Conflict Theory and Religious Conflict 52 Conflict as a Source of Social Disruption 52 Conflict as a Source of Integration 56 Conflict as a Source of Change 57 Conflict as a Pervasive Element in All Social Life 58 Problems With Conflict Analysis 59 Toward Synthesis: An Open Systems Model 60 Summary 65 4. The Cultural Construction of Religion: Experience, Myth, Ritual, Symbols, and Worldview 66 The Social Construction of Reality 67 Experience of the Holy 68 Myth and Ritual 74 Myth 74 Ritual 76 Relationship Between Myth and Ritual 81 The Importance of Symbols 82 The Concept of Religion as Employed in This Text 20 A Final Word About Definitions 22 Summary 23 2. A Social Scientific Approach to Studying Religion 25 The Sociological Perspective 27 Sociological Methods of Studying Religion 29 Survey Research and Statistical Analysis 29 Interviewing 35 Participant Observation 38 Content Analysis 42 Historical–Comparative Analysis 45 Experimentation 45 Triangulation 47 Summary 48 PART II. THE COMPLEXITY OF RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS: INTEGRATION AND CONFLICT 49 3. Religion in the Larger Society: Macro Perspectives 50 Functional Theory and the Functions of Religion 51 Functional and Structural Functional Analysis 51 The Functions of Religion 54 Dysfunctions of Religion and the Diversity of Consequences 59 Problems With Functional Analysis 60 Conflict Theory and Religious Conflict 61 Conflict as a Source of Social Disruption 61 Conflict as a Source of Integration 67 Conflict as a Source of Change 68 Conflict as a Pervasive Element in All Social Life 69 Problems With Conflict Analysis 71 Toward Synthesis: An Open Systems Model 71 Summary 76 4. The Cultural Construction of Religion: Experience, Myth, Ritual, Symbols, and Worldview 78 The Social Construction of Reality 79 The Experiential Dimension of Religion 80 Myth and Ritual 85 Myth 86 Ritual 89 Relationship Between Myth and Ritual 92 The Importance of Symbols 93
Worldview, Ethos, and Symbols 84 Summary 89 PART III. RELIGION IN THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS 91 5. Becoming and Being Religious 93 Religious Socialization and the Intergenerational Transmission of Religion 94 Social Learning Theory 95 Channeling Through Peers and Schools 97 Religion Over the Life Course 97 Adolescence 98 Emerging Adulthood 98 Mature Adulthood 99 Later Life 100 Age, Cohort, and Generational Effects on Religion 100 A Multidimensional Model of Commitment 106 Instrumental Commitment 106 Affective Commitment 108 Moral Commitment 110 Religion and Identity 112 Official and Nonofficial Religion 117 Summary 120 6. Conversion and Switching 122 Conversion, Brainwashing, and the New Religious Movements 123 Process Models of Conversion 125 Predisposing Conditions 126 Situational Contingencies 127 Critique and Evolution of Lofland’s Process Model 128 Religious Choices and Commitments: A Rational Choice Model 130 The Convert and Active Choice 131 Religious Choices: Costs and Benefits in a Supply and Demand “Market” 131 “Switching” Among Denominations 134 Switching by Individuals and Families 137 Switching and the Growth or Decline of Religious Bodies 141 Religious “Nones” 145 (Now in Ch. 5) Summary 146 Worldview, Ethos, and Symbols 94 Summary 99 PART III. RELIGION IN THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS 101 5. Becoming and Being Religious 102 Religious Socialization and the Intergenerational Transmission of Religion 103 Social Learning Theory 105 Channeling Through Peers and Schools 107 Religion Over the Life Course 108 Adolescence 109 Emerging Adulthood 109 Mature Adulthood 111 Later Life 111 Age, Cohort, and Generational Effects on Religion 112 A Multidimensional Model of Commitment 117 Moral Commitment 117 Instrumental Commitment 118 Affective Commitment 120 A Commitment Dilemma for Liberal Faith Communities 122 Religion and Identity 123 Religious “Nones” 128 (Previously in Ch. 6) Summary 131 6. Conversion and Switching 132 Conversion, Brainwashing, and the New Religious Movements 133 Process Models of Conversion 135 Predisposing Conditions 135 Situational Contingencies 137 Critique and Evolution of Lofland’s Process Model 138 Religious Choices and Commitments: A Rational Choice 138 The Convert and Active Choice 139 Religious Choices: Costs and Benefits in a Supply and Demand “Market” 139 Religious “Switching” 144 Explaining Religious Switching 147 Switching and the Growth or Decline of Religious Bodies 148 Apostasy 152 Summary 156
The Audience: Targeting Markets 208 Creating an Appealing “Product” 209 Pragmatism About Methods and an Uncompromising Message 211 Summary 213 PART V. RELIGION AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY 215 9. Religion and Class Stratification 217 Religious Ethics and Economic Action 217 Weber’s Protestant Ethic Thesis 217 After the Protestant Ethic 226 Social Class and Religious Involvement: Interactive Processes 228 Social Class and Religious Affiliation Today 228 Socioeconomic Status and Style of Religiosity 233 Summary 235 10. Religion and Race 236 Race, Ethnicity, and Religious Identification 237 Racial Segregation in Congregations 241 Explaining Congregational Racial Segregation 241 Religion and Racial Prejudice 243 Racism as a Worldview 244 Sources of Racial Prejudice in Christianity 246 Meaning Factors 246 Belonging Factors 252 Institutional Factors 254 Social Conflict and Religious Expression: The Conflict Perspective 258 Summary 259 11. Religion, Gender, and Sexuality 261 Gender and Religious Involvement 262 Feminization of Religion 264 Religion and Risk Tolerance 265 The Religious Meaning System and Sexism 266 A Historical Overview of Gender Attitudes in Western Christianity 267 Religious Belonging Systems and Gendered We Versus They Thinking 271 Religion and Institutional Sexism 272 Pragmatism About Methods and an Uncompromising Message 215 Summary 220 PART V. RELIGION AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY 223 9. Religion, Economics, and Social 224 Religious Ethics and Economic Action 225 Weber’s Protestant Ethic Thesis 225 The Prosperity Gospel and Modern Capitalism 231 Social Class and Religious Involvement: Interactive Processes 235 Religion and Social Class Stratification 235 Religion and Social Stratification Outcomes 236 Explaining the Connection Between Religion and Social Stratification 240 Socioeconomic Status and Style of Religiosity 244 Summary 246 10. Religion and Race 248 Race, Ethnicity, and Religious Identification 250 Racial Segregation in Congregations 253 Explaining Congregational Racial Segregation 255 Religion, Racial Prejudice, and Racism as a Worldview 258 Religion and Prejudice 258 Racism as a Worldview 259 Sources of Racism in Christianity 260 Meaning Factors 260 Belonging Factors 267 Institutional Factors 269 Social Conflict and Religious Expression: The Conflict Perspective 272 Summary 274 11. Religion, Gender, and Sexuality 276 Gender and Religious Involvement 277 Feminization of Religion 279 Religion and Risk Tolerance 280 Sexism in the Religious Meaning and Belonging Systems 281 A Historical Overview of Gender Attitudes in Western Christianity 282 Religious Belonging Systems and Gendered “We” Versus “They” Thinking 285
Secularization as Religious Evolution and Development: Increased Complexity of Thought and Greater Religious Autonomy 328 The “New” Paradigm 330 Neosecularization Theory 336 Secularization at Various Levels of Social Analysis 336 Overview 338 Civil Religion 342 Civil Religion in the United States 343 Summary 346 14. Religion Outside the (God) Box 348 Religion and the “Old” Media 349 Print Publishing 350 Radio 351 Televangelism 351 Religion and the “New Media” 357 Religion Online: Producing and Accessing Information 358 Online Religion: Practicing Faith on the Web 361 Religion and Sport 363 Muscular Christianity and the YMCA 364 Evangelical Protestant Sports Ministries 366 Religion and Spirituality at the Individual Level 367 Invisible Religions 368 (Now in Ch. 1) Quasi-Religious Movements 370 Summary 374 15. Religion and Globalization 375 The Globalization Process 377 The Emergence of Global Theologies 379 Impact of Globalization on Traditional Religions 383 Diffusion of Modernization and Religious Response 383 World Population Patterns and Religious Consequences 389 The Role of Religion in International Politics 394 Diffusion of Western Religion and Consequences in International Politics 394 Transnational Versus Autocephalous Religious Organizations 396 Religion, Local, or Ethnic Identity and World Peace 396 Toward a Global Civil Religion? 401 Secularization as Religious Evolution and Development: Increased Complexity of Thought and Greater Religious Autonomy 343 The “New” Paradigm 345 Neosecularization Theory 349 Secularization at Various Levels of Social Analysis 349 Concluding Reflections on Secularization 355 Civil Religion 357 Civil Religion in the United States 358 Summary 361 14. Religion Outside the (God) Box 363 Religion and the “Old” Media 364 Print Publishing 365 Radio 365 Televangelism 366 Religion and the “New Media” 372 Religion Online: Producing and Accessing Information 373 Online Religion: Practicing Faith on the Web 376 Religion and Sport 379 Muscular Christianity and the YMCA 381 Evangelical Protestant Sports Ministries 382 Religion and Spirituality at the Individual Level 383 Quasi-Religious Movements 387 Summary 390 15. Religion and Globalization 391 The Globalization Process 394 World Religions and the Emergence of Global Theologies 396 Impact of Globalization on Religion 402 Diffusion of Modernization and Religious Response 402 World Population Patterns and Religious Consequences 407 The Role of Religion in Global Affairs 413 Nationalism and Violence 413 Humanitarianism and Peace 416 Toward a Global Civil Religion? 417 Summary 418