Sociology / Unit 8 Soc 1333 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Symbolic Interactionism on Religion
Captions available
The idea
Interactionists hold that beliefs and objects are sacred only because members of a group treat them as sacred, studying religion through its shared symbols.
In practice
A cross, a crescent, and a Star of David carry meaning only because a community of interpreters agrees they do.
Where people slip
Interactionists study how sacredness is conferred through interaction; they take no position on whether a belief is true.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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