METHODS OF STUDYING RELIGION |
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METHODS OF STUDYING RELIGION Historical Research Concern with whether a particular social situation is preceded by, accompanied by, or followed by other social circumstances Examples What are the crisis points in the development of religious groups?Cross-Cultural Research Comparison of sociocultural patterns across cultures Examples Does the importance of religion in the social order change with the level of economic development Experimental Research Establishing a controlled situation in which only the desired factors can vary Examples Does prayer have a positive effect on health outcomesContent Analysis Research Examination of themes or structures in religious material Examples
Survey Research Examples
Participant Observation Research
Adopting a role within a group that involves a varying balance of observer and participant Examples How do individuals come to convert to a religious group PRESENCE OF HIGH GODS AND THE EXISTENCE OF SOVEREIGN ORGANIZATIONS Functions of Gods Belief in gods provides evidence that all events have a common sourceHigh gods Deity who is the sole creator of the universe Sovereign Organizations Organizations that exercise original and independent jurisdiction over some sphere of social life Examples: Kingdom, village, familyEvery deity corresponds to the structure of a sovereign groups The greater the diversity of sovereign groups, the greater the likelihood of a high god NUMBER OF SOVEREIGN GROUPS AND THE PRESENCE OF HIGH GOD Presence of Number of Sovereign Groups High God 1-2 3 4 or more Present 2 7 10 Absent 17 2 1 Total 19 9 11 Percent present 11 78 91 WITCHCRAFT Witchcraft involves “black magic” in which the practitioner can control the supernatural Witchcraft is usually secret and is a direct, personal attack Witchcraft appears in a group under the following conditions 1. Major deprivation within the groupWitchcraft provides 1. An answer to unsettling experiencesWitchcraft is used against others whose purposes are close, important persistent, and uncontrolled by legitimate social arrangements PREVALENCE OF WITCHCRAFT AND PRESENCE OF UNCONTROLLED OR UNLEGITIMATED RELATIONSHIPS (N= 49) Uncontrolled or Unlegitimated Relationships Prevalence of None Within the With Other Witchcraft Society Societies High 1 7 10 Intermediate 14 2 5 Low 9 0 1 Total 24 9 16 Percent High 4 78 62 Percent Intermediate 96 22 38 or Low
Pew Foundation Research Center
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