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CULTURE AND BELIEFS:Social Function of Religion, Politics and Beliefs

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Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ­ SOC401
VU
Lesson 36
CULTURE AND BELIEFS
Systems of Beliefs
Although all cultures have belief systems, the forms these beliefs take vary widely from society to society. It
is often difficult to define belief systems cross-culturally because different societies have different ways of
expressing faith
Anthropological Perspective on Beliefs
The anthropological study of belief systems does not attempt to determine which belief systems are right or
wrong. Cultural anthropologists concentrate on describing various systems of belief, how they function, and
influence human behavior across cultures.
Social Function of Religion
Belief systems fulfill social needs. They can be powerful, dynamic forces in society. Beliefs provide a basis
for common purpose and values that can help maintain social solidarity.
By reinforcing group norms, they help bring about social homogeneity. A uniformity of beliefs also helps
bind people together to reinforce group identity. Beliefs enhance the overall well-being of the society by
serving as a mechanism of social control and also reduce the stress and frustrations that often lead to social
conflict, whereby helping intensify group solidarity
In most societies, beliefs play an important role in social control by defining what is right and wrong
behavior. If individuals do the right things in life, they may earn moral approval. If they do the wrong
things, they may suffer retribution.
Psychological Function of Beliefs
Belief systems perform certain psychological functions by providing emotional comfort by explaining the
unexplainable (for e.g. to confront and explain death).
A belief system also helps a person cope with stress, fears and anxieties about the unknown. Beliefs lift the
burden of decision making from our shoulders because they tell us what is right and wrong, which is of
tremendous help in times of stress or crisis.
Even prayers provide psychological comfort and solace. Moreover, beliefs help ease the stress during life
crises such as birth, marriage, serious illnesses by providing appropriate guidelines and rituals.
Politics and Beliefs
Belief systems have played an important role in global social change through liberation theology (whereby
believers for social reform and justice for the poor) and religious nationalism (whereby religious beliefs are
merged with government institutions).
Useful Terms
Liberation ­ freedom
Rituals ­ standardized way for performing some vital social function.
Retribution ­ vengeance or payback
Merged ­ combined or put together
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Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ­ SOC401
VU
Suggested Readings
Students are advised to read the following chapters to develop a better understanding of the various
principals highlighted in this hand-out:
Chapter 14 in `Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective' by Ferrarro and Chapter 25 in `Anthropology' by Ember
Internet Resources
In addition to reading from the textbook, please visit the following web-site for this lecture, which provide
useful and interesting information:
Anthropology of Religion - Homepage:
www.as.ua.edu/ant/Faculty/murphy/419/419www.htm or
http://www.indiana.edu/~wanthro/religion.htm
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Table of Contents:
  1. WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?:Cultural Anthropology, Internet Resources
  2. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE AND THE APPLICATION OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
  3. MAJOR THEORIES IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Diffusionism
  4. GROWTH OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY (continued):Post Modernism
  5. METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Comments on Fieldwork
  6. METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (continued):Census Taking
  7. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD
  8. ECONOMIC ANTHROPOLOGY (continued):THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
  9. FOCUSING ON LANGUAGE:Languages of the World, Structure of Language
  10. FOCUS ON LANGUAGE (continued):Levels of Complexity, Cultural Emphasis
  11. OBTAINING FOOD IN DIFFERENT CULTURES:Optimal Foraging, Suggested Readings
  12. FOOD AND CULTURE (continued):Food Collectors, Food Production
  13. OBTAINING FOOD IN DIFFERENT CULTURE (continued):Pastoralism, Agriculture
  14. RELEVANCE OF KINSHIP AND DESCENT:Kinship Criteria, Rules of Descent
  15. KINSHIP AND DESCENT (continued):Tracing Descent, Primary Kinship Systems
  16. THE ROLE OF FAMILY AND MARRIAGE IN CULTURE:Economic Aspect of Marriage
  17. ROLE OF FAMILY AND MARRIAGE IN CULTURE (continued):Family Structures
  18. GENDER AND CULTURE:Gender Stratification, Suggested Readings
  19. GENDER ROLES IN CULTURE (continued):Women Employment, Feminization of Poverty
  20. STRATIFICATION AND CULTURE:Social Ranking, Dimensions of Inequality
  21. THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION (continued):The Functionalists, Conflict Theorists
  22. CULTURE AND CHANGE:Inventions, Diffusion, Donor, Conventional
  23. CULTURE AND CHANGE (continued):Cultural Interrelations, Reaction to Change
  24. CULTURE AND CHANGE (continued):Planned Change, Globalization
  25. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION:Bands, Tribal Organizations, Chiefdoms
  26. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (continued):State Systems, Nation-States
  27. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (continued):Social Norms, Informal Mechanisms
  28. PSYCHOLOGY AND CULTURE:Emotional Development, Psychological Universals
  29. PSYCHOLOGY AND CULTURE (continued):Origin of Customs, Personality Types
  30. IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE:Ideology in Everyday Life, Hegemony
  31. IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE (Continued):Political ideologies, Economic Ideology
  32. ASSOCIATIONS, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES:Variation in Associations, Age Sets
  33. ASSOCIATIONS, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES (continued):Formation of Associations
  34. RACE, ETHNICITY AND CULTURE:Similarity in Human Adaptations
  35. RACE, ETHNICITY AND CULTURE (continued):Inter-group Relations
  36. CULTURE AND BELIEFS:Social Function of Religion, Politics and Beliefs
  37. LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE:Changing Definitions of Local Knowledge
  38. LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE (continued):The Need for Caution
  39. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT:Influence of Development Notions
  40. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (Continued):Contentions in Development
  41. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (Continued):Operational
  42. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ART:Relevance of Art, Art and Politics
  43. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ART (continued):Art as a Status Symbol
  44. ETHICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY:Ethical Condemnation, Orientalism
  45. RELEVANCE OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Ensuring Cultural Survival