Sociology of Religion An introduction

Source: sociology by Ian Robertson, Worth Publishers, Inc., New York, 1977

Religion is a universlal social institution, but it takes a multitude of forms.

The definition given by author is that religion is a system of communally held beliefs and practices that are oriented toward some sacred, supernatural realm.

To a sociologist religion is a social product, created by human beings and not by supernatural forces.

One of the sociologists, Reece McGee divides religions into four main types.

Religions of simple suernaturalism, animism, theism, and abstract ideas.

Simple supernaturalism: Belief in supernatural forces. No concept of god.

Animism: Belief in supernatural powers of animate spirits. no concept of god.

Theism: concept of god. Number of gods or belief in only God. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam beleive in one god. But the author says thye also have belief in multiple divine entities and concepts like Father and Son etc.

Abstract ideals: No god but higher ideals. Example - Buddhism

Theodicy: A common feature of religions is that they have a convincing explanation for the birth and death and usual problems of human existence. If such an explanation is not there, the universal sequence of birth and death can easily seem meaningless.

Religion: A functionalist analysis

Durkheim, a poineer and famous socioligist was the first to apply functionalist perspective to the study of religion. According to him religion is universal in human society, because it has a vital function. According to him when people engage in religious activities especially as a group, they feel great ecstacy and elation of a kind they would never feel alone. The participants ascribe this fervour to supernatural origin.

The functions of Religion

1. Religion functins as a form of social cement. It unites people by bringing them together periodically to eanct various rituals and providing them with hsared values and beliefs thatbind them together.

2. It offers explanations of common human problems and predicaments an gives people a sense of meaning and purpose in a world that might otherwise seem meaningless.

3. religion reinforces the most important norms of a society, for these tend to become part of religious doctrine and are therefore regarded as sacred.

4. Religion helps people during such major events of the life cycle as puberty, marriage, and death by providing rituals that give a structure to those events.

According to Marx, religion reflects society.

According Weber, religion influences social change.