Religion And Sociological Analysis

Secularisation theory has argued that modernisation has undermined religion. The importance of science and technology on economic development and rational worldview on which they depend on are seen as destroying the belief in supernatural. However religion can contribute to development, but most recently sociologists have examined what role religion may play in development in today’s globalising world.

“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

Religion is a social institution composed of a unified system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that guides human life, including behaviors and values. I agree with the claim that the sociological study of religion makes one’s religious faith stronger in societies and communities because the more knowledgeable you are of your religion, the more you follow and practice its beliefs. Reading the books of the religion of your choice allows you to choose the lifestyle you live and control your beliefs. Sociologically studying one’s religion cannot damage religious faith unless you are sociologically studying a religion other than yours. Your devotion to your religion has been given to you at birth, and normally children follow their parents before anyone else.

present as many others. Based on this and Emile Durkheim’s sociological findings religion focuses on uniting societies.

Praying is an important aspect of all religions as well as Christianity. To observe this specific religious phenomenon, I went to the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer. I attended to see one of their prayers. What they were practicing was not an individual action. They were praying with other Christians not by themselves. Also they were praying out loud. The Priest was saying the prayer and the others were either repeating after him or saying “Amen” when he finished his prayer. After praying, most of the Christians light up candles at specific part of the church. A famous sociologist Emile Durkheim discusses about religion in the perspective of sociology in his book, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. He mentions in his book that society creates the religion to live with moral rules. Since I observe the atmosphere of that holy place, I came up with several questions. What are the forces to make them go to the Church and pray together? And how do they use the symbols to become a motivated person?

The aims of secular psychology are limited to this world, while the ultimate aims of religion point to a transcendent reality. This significant difference has led to mutual suspicion and conflict in the past. C Kevin Gillespie affirms that within the history of Church-psychology relations has been “complex and at times conflicted.” The difficulty is not limited to Catholicism; according to Ziinnbauer and Pargament, the relationship between psychology and religion in general was characterized by “antagonism and conflict” for much of the Twentieth Century. Gillespie attributes this mutual “animosity” to the influence of Freud’s deterministic outlook, as well as his atheism. This paper will explore the interaction of psychology and religion,

Sociological theories are usually constructed from ideas of early sociologist through scientific research in regards to developing a better understanding of how our social world operates. By gaining this type of knowledge, sociologist can better explain (to those who are interested) the social world that we have grown accustom to, as well as make predictions of how the social world will develop and function in the future. Three are three major categories that are classified under sociological theories: functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction theory. All three of these theories are known to have an impact on social institutions such as families, healthcare,

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).

Berger provides insight into the study of the sociology of religion. Berger is particularly interested in the social construction of religion as perpetuated by humankind and the dichotomies of the secular and the religious. As a component of social reality, religion, according to Peter Berger, is a “dialectical phenomenon” (3). Society is a dialectic phenomenon in that it is a human product, and nothing but a human product, that yet continuously acts back upon its producer. Society is a product of man. Religion emerges out of human beings as part of an ordered and meaningful social reality and in turn, humans emerge out of this socially constructed world. Berger parses the dialectical phenomenon into three concepts: externalization,

For the past centuries religion has been a major force in the world and still continues to be one as there are billions of people that believe and follow a certain religion, but sadly religion has had a largely negative impact on the world today. As people continue to view religion in an unrealistic positive manner they continue to be deceived about its negative impact. During recent years there have been many headlines about how religion influenced people in performing terrible acts that oppress people or result in many lives being lost. Religion today is deeply embedded in people’s daily lives and plays a large role in countries, therefore when religion negatively impacts the world it affects millions of people worldwide and results in

In society, people strived for social interaction among one another by grouping themselves with individuals who are like minded. This type of classification normally consist of various type of cultural similarities to include but not limited to ethnic background, food, music, fashion and arts. Another form of classification that has been instilled in the world for many years is religion. Religion is the organization of spiritual, sacred and biblical beliefs that express the existence of a higher supernatural power or god. Even though every religion has their own specific practices, it has been apparent that such beliefs have a profound effect on society. How much social purpose and control can religion have on an individual is yet to be seen.

More than 7 billion people are living in this world, each person acquiring different characteristics, religion, and race. If each individual was taken and locked in their own cell, they would not be able to accomplish anything. We would have seven billion people, but a society would not exist. If each individual was freed from their cell, they would be able to interact with one another and share ideas. They would be able to share their differences and impact each other in positive and negative ways. A society is more than just the number of individuals available and how each one individually behaves or thinks. Without people interacting with one another and impacting each other, a society would not exist. Impacts come from social institutions such as family, education, and religion.

The dictionary defines society as “an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes” and religion as “something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience.” The question stated on our political survey reads “shared religious belief isn’t and important part of our society.” And I disagree with that. Almost everyone has his or her own sets of beliefs and morals, which is what makes them who they are. I believe we need religion in society, otherwise we would all just be mindless robots with no individuality. For the sake of this paper I will take a look at the other spectrum of this question. Which would be, religion has no place in society.

Sociologist Emile Durkheim defines organic solidarity in an industrial society as a social order based around an acceptance of economic and social differences. He explains that division of labor becomes so specialized that everyone is doing something different (Kierns, p. 80). In other words, organic solidarity is based on the dependence people have on other people in a more advanced society. Nowadays, everyone performs different tasks and specialize in a vast variety of things. Although individuals specialize in many different things and have different values and interest, both contributions are important to society creating a social solidarity.

In 2013, Pope Francis delivered an apostolic exhortation on family life, “Amoris Laetitia,” better known as “The Joy of Love.” Establishing a sense of resolution within the Catholic Church about homosexuality has also reopened the original debate on the propriety of a coexisting homosexual Christian. This has been a concern in not only the Catholic Church, but sub-religions within the entire Christian community. It is interesting to comprehend the relationship between religious organizations and society—mainly how one influences the other in doctrines, values, and beliefs, specifically in regards to homosexuality.