comprises the common sentiments and values that people share as a result of living together
Profane
refers to the secular, everyday world
Sacred
refers to the religous, transdecent world
Totems
Items that symbolize the sacred
Rituals
Practices designed to connecr people to the sacred
Routinization of charisma
Weber's term for the transformation of the unique gift of divine enlightment into a permenant feature of everyday life
Church
A beurocratic religious organization that has accomodated itself to mainstream society and culture
Secularization Thesis
Theory that religous institutions, actions, and consciousness are on the decline worldwide
Fundamentalists
People who interpret their scriptures literally, seek to establish a direct, personal relationship with the higher being(s) they worship, and are relatively intolerant of non fundamentalists
Revises secularization theory
Theory that worldy institutions break off from the institution of religion over time.
Ecclesia
State supported churches
Denominations
various streams of belief and practice that some churches allow to co-exist under their overarching authority
Sects
Groups that usually form by breaking away from churches because of disagreement about church doctrine LED by charismatic leaders
Charismatic leaders
Religous leaders who claim to be inspired by supernatural powers and whose followers believe them to be inspired
Cults
Small groups if people deeply commiteed to a religous vision that rejects mainstream culture and society