Sociology DA

Religion
Sociology assignment
introduction
For centuries, humankind has sought to understand and explain the “Meaning of
Life”. Many philosophers believe this contemplation and the desire to understand
our place in the universe are what differentiate humankind from other species.
Religion, in one form or another, has been found in all human societies since human
societies first appeared. Archaeological digs have revealed ancient ritual objects,
ceremonial burial sites, and other religious artifacts.
Ancient Bronze Age Ritual Object Ancient Egyptian Artifact

What is Religion?
Pioneer sociologist Émile Durkheim described
Religion with the statement:
“Things that surpass the limits of our

knowledge”.
It is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship
of a controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural being. It often involves cultural
beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, and morals that have spiritual meaning to members of the
particular faith, and it can encompass a range of practices, including sermons, rituals, prayers, holy
places and symbols.
In studying religion, sociologists distinguish between what they term the experience, beliefs, and
rituals of a religion.
● Religious Experience refers to the conviction or sensation that one is connected to “The
divine”. This type of communion might be experienced when people are praying or meditating.
● Religious beliefs are specific ideas that members of a particular faith hold to be true, such as
that Jesus Christ was the son of God, or believing in reincarnation. Another illustration of
religious beliefs is that different religions adhere to certain stories of world creation.
● Religious rituals are behaviors or practices that are either required or expected of the members
of a particular group, such as bar mitzvah or confession.
Functional definitions define religion in terms of the functions it performs for individuals or society.
Religion can be defined as “A system of beliefs and practices by means of which a group of people
struggles with the ultimate problems of human life.”
Problem with functional definitions of religion
● A functional definition allows almost any movement with a belief system of any kind and a
committed group of followers to classify as a religion like communism or even atheism.
● It makes it impossible to measure the impact of religion.
Substantive Definitions of Religion
Substantive definitions of religion define religion in terms of its content rather than its function.
Emile Durkhiem’s substantive definition stated that religion was “The collective marking off of
the sacred from the profane”.
A common approach to defining religion substantively is to define religion in terms explaining the
presence of a higher power. For example Robertson (1970): “Religion refers to the existence of
supernatural beings that have a governing effect on life”.
Problems with substantive definitions of religion
● They can be too exclusive. For example, definitions which are based
on a belief in God would exclude Buddhism.
● Substantive definitions might still be too inclusive. For example,
people who believe in fate, magic, or UFOs might be included as
religious according to the above definition.
● It may well not be possible to come up with a definition of religion
that pleases everyone. The main problem with defining religion is to
find a definition which encompasses this variety.
The History of Religion as a Sociological Concept
In the wake of 19th century European industrialization and secularization, three

social theorists attempted to examine the relationship between religion and
society: Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx.
As stated earlier, French sociologist Émile Durkheim defined religion as “A

Unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things”. Durkheim
argued that “Religion happens” in society when there is a separation between
the profane and the sacred . A rock, for example, isn’t sacred or profane as it
exists. But if someone makes it into a headstone, or another person uses it for
landscaping, it takes on different meanings—one sacred, one profane.
Pictures of (1) Émile Durkheim, (2) Max Weber and (3) Karl
theoretical perspectives
On
Religion
(i) Functionalism
Functionalists contend that religion serves several functions in

society. Religion, in fact, depends on society for its existence,
value, and significance, and vice versa. From this perspective,
religion serves several purposes, like providing answers to
spiritual mysteries, offering emotional comfort, and creating a
place for social interaction and social control. One of the most
important functions of religion, from a functionalist perspective,
is the opportunities it creates for social interaction and the
formation of groups.
(ii) Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism studies the symbols and

interactions of everyday life. To interactionists,
beliefs and experiences are not sacred unless
individuals in a society regard them as sacred. The
Star of David in Judaism, the cross in Christianity,
and the crescent and star in Islam are examples of
sacred symbols.
(iii) Critical Sociology
Critical theorists view religion as an institution that

helps maintain patterns of social inequality. For
example, the Vatican has a tremendous amount of
wealth, while the average income of Catholic
parishioners is small. According to this perspective,
religion has been used to support oppressive
monarchs and to justify unequal social structures,
like India’s caste system.
Types of Religions
Scholars from a variety of disciplines have strived to classify religions. One widely accepted
categorization that helps people understand different belief systems considers what or who people
worship
● Polytheism: Multiple Gods; Eg.Ancient Greeks & Romans

● Monotheism: Single God; Eg.Judaism, Islam
● Atheism: No Deities; Eg.Atheism
● Animism: Non-Human Beings; Eg.Indigenous nature worship(Shinto)
● Totemism: Human-Natural Being Connection; Eg.Ojibwa
Why is religion still relevant today?
For some, religion gives meaning and purpose to life. Many things in life are
difficult to understand. That was certainly true, as we have seen, in prehistoric
times, but even in today’s highly scientific age, much of life and death remains
a mystery, and religious faith and belief help many people make sense of the
things science cannot tell us.
Second, religion reinforces social unity and stability. This was one of
Durkheim’s most important insights. Religion strengthens social stability in at
least two ways. First, it gives people a common set of beliefs and thus is an
important agent of socialization. Second, the communal practice of religion, as
in houses of worship, brings people together physically, facilitates their
communication and other social interaction, and thus strengthens their social
bonds.
The Downside to Religion
Religion has all of these benefits, but, according to conflict theory, it can also reinforce and
promote social inequality and social conflict. This view is partly inspired by the work of Karl
Marx, who said that religion was the “Opiate of the masses”. By this he meant that religion,
like a drug, makes people happy with their existing conditions. Marx repeatedly stressed that
workers needed to rise up and overthrow the bourgeoisie.
They think it is God’s will that they are poor, either because he is testing their faith in him or
because they have violated his rules. Many people believe that if they endure their suffering,
they will be rewarded in the afterlife. For these reasons, said Marx, religion leads the poor to
accept their fate and helps maintain the existing system of social inequality.
Marx, religion leads the poor to accept their fate and helps maintain the existing system of social
inequality.
Religion also promotes gender inequality by presenting negative stereotypes about women and by
reinforcing traditional views about their subordination to men.
The history of the world shows that individual people and whole communities and nations are quite ready
to persecute, kill, and go to war over religious differences. We see this today and in the recent past in
central Europe (Islamic terrorism), the Middle East(Shia & Sunni), and Northern Ireland(Protestants &
Catholics). Jews and other religious groups have been persecuted and killed since ancient times
(Holocaust). Religion can be the source of social unity and cohesion, but over the centuries it also has led
to persecution, torture, and bloodshed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, religion is a complex and multifaceted social phenomenon that has been a
subject of sociological inquiry for many decades. Sociologists have studied religion from
various perspectives, including the role of religion in shaping social identities, its influence
on social norms and values, and its relationship with power and social inequality.
Despite its importance, religion remains a controversial and contested topic in sociology,
with scholars offering diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives on its role in society.
Nevertheless, the study of religion in sociology continues to be a vibrant and dynamic field
of inquiry, offering valuable insights into the complex social dynamics that shape our lives.

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Religion

Ancient Bronze Age Ritual Object Ancient Egyptian Artifact

“Things that surpass the limits of our

Substantive Definitions of Religion

In the wake of 19th century European industrialization and secularization, three

As stated earlier, French sociologist Émile Durkheim defined religion as “A

Functionalists contend that religion serves several functions in

Symbolic interactionism studies the symbols and

Critical theorists view religion as an institution that

● Polytheism: Multiple Gods; Eg.Ancient Greeks & Romans

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