Introduction
The research will focus on two religious organizations, Westboro Baptist Church and The Woodlands United Methodist Church, both of which are located in the United States. The addresses for these religious organizations are included at the end of the proposal. Pastor Fred Phelps established Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) in 1955 in Topeka, Kansas and it still exists today as a primitive Baptist Church. However, WBC is not related with any Baptist denomination. The church holds extreme ideologies, especially against homosexuality. The Woodlands United Methodist Church is belongs to the United Methodist Church, which is a protestant movement with origins tracing back to John Wesley, an Anglican priest in the Church of England. The members of the church follow a daily routine of social work and religious observance and it is not affiliated to Church of England. The church currently has a membership of more than 10 million worldwide.
- What is the theological orientation of this religion?
- How does this religion engage in environmental issues?
- What are some of the ideologies held by the religion?
- How does this religion engage in environmental issues?
- How have minorities impacted this religion since its inception?
- Does this religion include women in leadership positions?
- How have women influenced the leadership dynamics of this religion?
- In what ways does this religion influence its younger generations through its educational system?
Significance of the study
Not all religious organizations share the same set of beliefs, but regardless of this, religion traverse all human societies. Religion has traditionally played a significant role in societies and human experience, shaping human response to their surrounding environment. Owing to the significant role of religion on societies around the world, this study helps in understanding the history and organization structure into which members of these religious organizations are socialized. This study will also help understand how religion has shaped or influenced how people react to the environments in which they live.
Literature review
This study will draw much of its information from the Johnstone’s book “Sociology of Religion” and a collection of relevant sociology literature on religion. This compilation of literature will provide a comprehensive understanding of sociologist view of religion as a social institution and a belief system. It gives a brief history of religious organizations, discuss the two religious organizations considered in thus study, and provide an objective examination of religion from social and cultural context.
Methodology
The data for this study will be collected through observation and research on information about the two churches. This will involve attending church sessions for the two religious organizations during weekends and during church sermons. Some information will be collected through holding conversation with the church members. Research will involve collecting information from the web about the churches, their practices, beliefs, and membership profiles.
Limitations
The study will require more time to collect information from each religion. It will involve attending church sessions as well as interact with members of each religion to gather information. From my preliminary studies, I was intrigued to find that the Woodlands United Methodist Church hold services at night. Westboro Baptist Church members believe calamities such as tornado and Hurricane Katrina are forms of punishment of the United States for supporting gay rights. The church members believe that God punishes people for their wrongdoings with calamities and accidents.
Works cited:
Bates, Larry. Psychology of Religion.” Sociology of Religion Class (SOC 495). University of North Alabama. 2008. Print.
Johnstone, L. Ronald. Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson/Prentice Hall. 2007. Print.
Appendix: Address
The Woodlands United Methodist Church
Phone: +1 281-297-5900
Westboro Baptist Church
3701 West 12th Street
Topeka, KS 66604-1730
(785) 273-0325
