Religion as a Social Institution

Religion as a Social Institution

Religion can answer some of our questions and explain things that are unexplainable. It gives some people reasons for life and death. Why we are on this earth. And why we die. (Social Institutions, SparkNotes)

Religion is very important for families. It may determine which holidays you decorate and celebrate. Parents and elders, teach their children to also continue with these religion traditions, and so on and so forth. It can be considered part of their culture. I am a Christian so I celebrate Christmas for Jesus's birth. (Social Institutions, SparkNotes)

There are several different religions throughout the world. Several is not the world to use, but there are A LOT of religions. (Social Institutions, SparkNotes)

Christians have the belief that Jesus was our savior and is the son of God. There are several different forms of christianity. Islams also have the same God. But they believe that word of God was revealed to Muhammad in 570 A.D. (Social Institutions, SparkNotes)

Sociologists have 3 religious organizations. Churches, sects, and cults. A church is a religious group that has integrated with society. A sect is s religious group that sets itself apart from society. A cult is a religious group that is not considered normal to the rest of society. Cults usually have a leader that it all is centered around. (Social Institutions, SparkNotes)

Religion plays a role on the class system in the United States as well. It also can depend on race or ethnicity. Some of the wealthiest people in America are protestant. Jews also have a high standard of living. Roman Catholic descendent families, don’t tend to be as wealthy. African-American churches have taken the traditions of Christianity but also keep the beliefs of the slaves that were brought to America. (Social Institutions, SparkNotes)

I went to a Catholic school. So every Tuesday and Friday we went to church. Our programs consisted of Christian music. We studied the bible and what God did. I also was baptized, I had a confirmation, and a First Communion. I did all this because I am Catholic. But another family with a different religion, would not do this. 

My confirmation class at St. Gregory’s Catholic School

"Social Institutions." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.

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