1. Discuss the ideas of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim on the role of religion as a central force in many lives.
    
2. Define religion.
    
3. Define the major components of religion—beliefs, rituals, and experiences.
    
4. Describe the types of religious organizations.
    
5. Apply structural/functional and conflict/critical theories to religion.
    
6. Describe the relationship between globalization and the world’s major religions.

Summary

Marx argued that religion is a tool utilized by those in power to keep those whom they oppress—especially the working class—from seeing clearly. Thus, the oppressed do not fight to overcome the inequalities they experience. Weber addressed the impact that the rationalization of the modern world had on religious belief. Durkheim’s work on religion, which has proved to be of particular importance for later generations of sociologists, begins by distinguishing between the sacred and the profane. Two views of religion are that it provides meaning and purpose in the face of suffering, injustice, and death, but not necessarily happiness; and that it is a social phenomenon consisting of beliefs about the sacred, the rituals and experiences that enforce beliefs, and the communities that share them. The components of religion include a set of interrelated beliefs, a variety of rituals, and religious experiences. While religion can be separate in many respects from the rest of society, the two are also often interconnected. For example, civil religion uses religious values and rituals to promote national identity and patriotism. Sociologists have identified different types of religious institutions. These include sects, small communities of “true believers”; churches, large groups into which members are usually born; cults, exclusive small groups often at odds with established religions; and denominations, groups not linked to the state that generally tolerate other religious institutions. Some sociologists prefer to use the term new religious movements to encompass sects, cults, and a wide array of other innovative religious groups. Structural-functionalists focus not only on the functions, or social purposes, served by religion but also on its dysfunctions. Conflict theorists argue that religious ideologies serve to distract people and to obscure economic and social realities. The spread of religion is not new, but it has accelerated with increased globalization. The most significant global religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world and are growing, while Judaism is the smallest. The vast majority of Buddhists reside in Asia, and the majority of Hindus live in India. However, Buddhism and Hinduism have been spreading to other places around the globe. Mormons have aggressively expanded globally using modern techniques and technologies. One factor contributing to growing global religious diversity is global migration.