This chapter will help you to:

12.1 Explain the components and functions of religion.

12.2 Discuss the process of becoming religious.

12.3 Describe how the United States became a “denominational society.”

12.4 Compare the functionalist and conflict perspectives on religion.

12.5 Predict the future role of religion in the modern world.

12.6 Identify how core affirmations and policies of some faith communities have been affected by social trends regarding same-sex relationships.