Section 3-End

Section 4-Preview

Through the process of secularization, the sacred and the profane tend to become intermixed. There has been a revival of religious fundamentalism in the United States. Religious faiths can be analyzed by the major social characteristics such as class and political tendencies.

A. A

B. B

C. C

Section 4-Polling Question

0% 0%0%

Do you agree that there should be a separation of church and state?

A. Agree

B. Disagree

C. Not sure

Section 4

The Development of Religion in America

• The idea of a separation between church and state is a cornerstone of American life as well as freedom of religious expression.

• However, religious persecution has still occurred.

A. A

B. B

C. C

Section 4

0% 0%0%

Which religious group came to America to search for religious freedom?

A. Puritans

B. Calvinists

C. Catholics

Section 4

Secularization in the United States

• Secularization is the process of the sacred losing influence over society, or aspects of the sacred entering into the secular world of everyday life.

• Evidence is mixed concerning the relative importance of religion in the U.S. today.

Figure 14.4

Percentage of Americans Saying Religion is Very Important in Their Lives: 1952–2005

Source: The Gallup Organization, Gallup polls on religion.

Figure 14.5

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 4

0% 0%0%0%

What percent of the United States is without a religious preference?

A. 3

B. 9

C. 15

D. 20

Figure 14.6

Membership in Selected Religious Organizations in the United States

Source: World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2005.

Section 4

Religious Preferences

• Americans in the early 2000s were largely Protestant (50%).

• Catholics constitute about 24% of the population.

• Jews constitute about 2% of the population.

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 4

0% 0%0%0%

Which Protestant denomination is that largest?

A. Methodists

B. Episcopalian

C. Lutheran

D. Baptist

• Interactive Map Religiosity in U.S.

Section 4

Fundamentalism in America

• Fundamentalism is based on the desire to resist secularization and to adhere closely to traditional religious beliefs, rituals, and doctrines.

Section 4

Fundamentalism in America (cont.)

• Two issues disturbed the early fundamentalists:

– The spread of secularism.

– The movement away from emphasis on the traditional message of Christianity toward an emphasis on social service.

Section 4

Fundamentalism in America (cont.)

• Christian fundamentalists believe in:

– the literal truth of the Scriptures.

– being “born again.”

Section 4

Fundamentalism in America (cont.)

– the responsibility of believers to give witness for God.

– the presence of Satan.

– the destruction of the world before the Messiah’s return.

Section 4

Fundamentalism in America (cont.)

• Fundamentalism is strong today because:

– many Americans feel their world is out of control.

– the fundamentalist churches provide solace to people who don’t feel connected elsewhere.

Section 4

Fundamentalism in America (cont.)

– they offer a more purely sacred environment.

– they can use the mass media to reach people.

American Church Membership Trends: 1990–1999

Figure 14.7

American Church Membership Trends: 1990–1999

Source: Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, 1999.

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 4

0% 0%0%0%

Fundamentalism is found in which religions?

A. Roman Catholic

B. Judaism

C. Protestant denominations

D. All of the above

Section 4

Religion, Class and Politics

• Religious affiliation is related to:

– social class

– upper versus lower class

– political beliefs

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 4

0% 0%0%0%

Upperclasses display their religiosity by

A. Church membership

B. Church attendance

C. Observance of ritual

D. All of the above

Section 4

Religion, Science, and Society

• Religion involves matters beyond human observation, while science is all about observation.

• Depending on the values and norms of the culture, society may favor religious or scientific explanations.

Section 4

Religion, Science, and Society (cont.)

• Many debates have involved the school system.

• Today, some topics in science are closely tied to ethics, so the interface between science and religion is increasing.

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

Section 4

0% 0%0%0%

What state removed any questions about evolution from the state high school exit examination in 1999?

A. Vermont

B. Oklahoma

C. Oregon

D. Kansas

Section 4-End

Section 4-Key Terms

• secularization

• fundamentalism

Snapshot

Public Charities

Source: National Center for Charitable Statistics, 2004.

World View 1

Religions of the World

Adapted from The State of Religion Atlas, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993.

World View 2

Gender Inequality in Religion

Adapted from The State of Religion Atlas, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993.

Transparency 1A

Transparency 1B

Vocab12

secularization

process through which the sacred loses influence over society

Vocab13

fundamentalism

the resistance of secularization and the rigid adherence to traditional religious beliefs, rituals, and doctrines