Causes And Consequences Of Religion As A Social Problem

Religion has held an important role in society since the beginning of civilisation and it has such power over people’s minds and shape the way our world developed. Whilst some sociological theories such as functionalist sees religion as performing a positive function in society as it can lead to social solidarity, integrating people into society, other sociological theories such as Marxist and Feminist totally disagrees with this and would argue that religion leads to instability and conflict in society.

It has been generally acknowledged that religious belief is a powerful force in society. Religion has been a major component of human culture since nearly the beginning of man. As we emerged as a high intellect species, we developed many different ideologies to answer some of our unanswerable questions. Since these developments, we continue to evolve as a species and the ideologies we have created evolve with us in our endlessly changing societies. As civilization grows, our different cultures clashed for many different reasons, one of which has been religion. As the human race has developed, its growth gas been accompanied by a large number of recorded genocides and religious wars. As religion grew, the power of religious officials increased immensely. These leaders have led clashes between religions which resulted in mass killings throughout history. With that said, can the negative outweigh the positive effects of religion throughout the course of human history?

“Religion is a ritualized system of beliefs and practices related to things defined as sacred by an organized community of believers.” (Basirico et.al. 379). Religion is an important element in the society because it influences the way individuals act and think. It has shaped the relationship and bonding among families as well as influenced the decision made in economics and politics. Religion in general has contributed to shape a society and a government structure which will influence the way the individuals under certain governmental structure behave. Sociologists are interested in religion mainly because religious belief is heavily rooted in individuals’ lives and it helps sociologists to interpret human’s actions, expression, and

By utilizing the different the three main sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactions. In looking at how religion functions in social structures, social systems, and small group interpersonal interactions a sociologist could formulate a better understanding of religion 's role in society and the human experience. The sociologist looks at the individual, and how that individual connects to a specific societal location or setting and specifically at religion a sociological study could determine the power religion holds over people and societies. Understanding the cultural universals of religion and the differences in how individuals and societies experience religion could aid in our understanding society, social forces and human behaviors.

I agree with you that churches/religious beliefs can be considered a social problem. I like that you pointed out how religious social problems can be analyzed on a micro and macro level. People have their own thoughts and beliefs within a religion and different religions have different thoughts and beliefs as a whole. I also like that you pointed out that mental institutions can be considered a social problem. I did not know that two major mental health institutions were recently shut down and I see where this could be considered a huge problem. People who are in need of mental health care are being put back into society because of the lack of funding, which could put others and the people in need of mental health care at risk. Furthermore,

Sociology of religion has truly opened up my perspective on the different types of religion. I learned three key insights that I have gained from the sociological study of religion. My first key insight will be about how a religious organization like the Westboro Baptist Church are a marginalized identity. I will reference the Westboro Baptist Church film. My second key insight will be why people switch denominations or religions. I will reference the book and a family example. My third insight will be the multidimensional types of commitment.

Religion sacralizes the norm and values of establishing society, maintaining the dominance of group goals over individual wishes, and of group disciplines over individual’s impulses. It thereby reinforces the legitimation of the division of functions, facilities, and rewards characteristic of a given society (Thomas, Janet O’Dea, 1995). It helps to come together as one to have one belief. Our lord and savior is who we believe that is good in our life and that’s why we believe to meet up on 7th day of sabbath as a group and praise him and thank hims for giving his life for our sin. People may feel overwhelm on how each person praise for him but we see it as a thank you to him no matter how we do it. A lot of people feel that reinforcing little

Religion has been a major component of sociological thought from the classical theorists to post-modern sociologists. How society functions and is held together and what connections are fostered by religion has been studied using a scientific outlook on how to accurately interpret and gain an understanding how religion fits in with the social world. The sociology of religion largely differs from theology in assuming indifference to the supernatural, theorists tend to accept socio-cultural reification of religious practice (Wikipedia1 2017). I will be trying to make a connection between Darwin’s use of natural sciences to influence a new way to interpreted social dynamics and how these influences have changed the way sociologist in a postmodern

Regarding the functionalist view, according to Parrillo (2014), “Emile Durkheim identified religion as an integrative bond for society, a theme elaborated on by modern functionalists” (p. 423). Using religious bonds, the societies identity and resolve could be strengthened (Parrillo, 2014, p. 401). Regarding the conflict view, several theorists concluded that mechanisms of social control could be used to protect the power of those in interest (Parrillo, 2014, p. 424). Resources of political and economic competition support the argument of peaceful or violent religious confrontation (Parrillo, 2014, p. 424). According to Parrillo (2014), “appearance is a key element in perceptions of different religions”, (p. 424). Some religions have embraced

Another way religion influences ideology is in the cultural ideology of society. As society changes, religion’s effect on the ideology changes, but the main ties can be seen in different time periods. Religion played a key role in establishing the norms of the New World. When the new

We all have some experience with religion. Whether our parents are religious, our own religious views, or others who try and convert you to a religion, we have all come in contact with a religion. But what do sociology and religion have to do with each other? The answer to this question is that religion meets sociology in the affects that it has on an individual or society (Schaefer, Richard T, 2009, pg 323).

The sociological gaze links individual experiences to the social settings we occupy. I wish to review the sociological gaze that is my religious identity, and how that has shaped my experiences, choices, expectations, attitudes and world views. Although most of my life followed mainstream religious inclinations, my deep desire for answers along with questioning the status quo, led me to break away from traditional religions to find spirituality. This change in religious direction altered my outlook, actions and connections in life. I will take you through this journey, reflecting on how my life and identity have morphed from church to spiritual being, bringing sociological viewpoints along the way.

The three main sociological perspectives of structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactions, aid sociologist in gaining a broader understanding for purposes of this paper –religion (as a primarily social rather than theological or psychological phenomenon) and the effects on societies. In looking at how religion functions in social structures, social systems, and small group interpersonal interactions sociologists could formulate a better understanding of religion 's role in society and the human experience. The sociologist looks at the individual agency, and how that connects to a specific societal location or setting. Specifically, in the case of religion a sociologist could study the power religion holds over people and societies, and the influence religion has on educational or political institutions. Understanding the cultural universals of religion and the differences in how individuals and societies experience religion could aid in understanding society, social forces and human behaviors.

To understand the religion as a social control tool, it is necessary to understand the term socialization. Many sociologists have placed more focus on defining the term socialization. Ward (2011) defined the term socialization as the process through which an individual acquires the ways of a social group or a society so as he or she can fit in it. In his invitation to sociology, Koenig (2013) defined the term ‘socialization’ as the process through which acquires knowledge of how to become a member of the society. It is only through socializing that an individual is able to learn normative values, skills, beliefs, languages as well as other essential arrangements of action as well as thoughts significant for any given social life.

Religion is a structured group of culture, beliefs, views that are related to humanity. These beliefs include the universe, human nature, laws of religion, lifestyles, and people derive morality. Religion studies and analyzes its concept, terms, arguments and practices. Religion affects our society in numerous ways, both can be in a good and bad way. With the different kinds of religion, one can choose which religion they should follow based on what they personally believe. In our country’s society, we respectfully allow people to practice on their religious beliefs even though some countries do not allow people to have freedom on what religion they choose. However, religion affects our society in positive and negative ways. We have so much freedom which our country gave us that religion can occasionally cause a conflict in our society. Some branches in religion can cause huge conflicts and arguments in our society because they do not get fair treatment unlike the others. Some of these examples of arguments that affect our society that I want to discuss in this essay include the controversial debate on abortion, rules in regard to dressing and how they dress, their food preferences, terrorism, and marriages. Mostly these arguments are a result of people who are ignorant, close minded, and have views that are different from others. If people respect each other’s views and beliefs, the positive aspects may exceed the negative aspects.