Essay Sociology and Religion

Religion as defined by Merriam-Webster is, “the belief in a god or in a group of gods; an organized

What is the true definition of the word religion? Well, religion is a set of beliefs and practices that recognize the existence of a god or many gods. We need religion in our lives because it gives us a sense of belonging to our common faith and helps us set morals in our lives. The importance of faith in our lives has created a bigger understanding to us and has showed us how we can have a closer link to it.

Assess the view that religion is a major source of instability and conflict in society today

Religion is a cultural system of beliefs and believers, sacred texts and writings, ethics, rituals and ceremonies that relate humanity to an order of existence. These key characteristics create in turn, a dynamic, living religion.

The main sociological theories all believe religion acts as a conservative force in society in a sense that religion helps keep things the way they are and keep everything stable. However some of these theories may be against the idea that religion acts conservative force for their own reasons. For example Feminism believes that religion acts as a conservative force nevertheless they are against it as they believe it oppresses women by keeping women’s status the same.

Many people, when asked, can tell you what their religion is. They are a Baptist or a Hindu or a Wiccan or an atheist. What many of those same people cannot tell you is what religion actually is. According to the second definition of Webster’s online dictionary, religion is, “a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices”. While this seems like a good place to start, it doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of what religion actually is.

“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 had and still has (in countless countries) major influence and control over people's lives, from day to day activities to businesses and educational environment, and many more aspect of life. The level of religious institutions power and authority over the law of a country plays a key role, which is fortunately not the same case for the Americans because of separation of religion from politics and public places. In some cases, such split-up results are quickly visible; however, the main outcome is noticeable in years ahead to come in shape of change of people's mindset because of the freedom of citizens of the country to think without religion thoughts are imposed on them. With the advancement of science especially in the past years, a higher number of Americans with college degrees as never before, use of religion as a tool in hatred and wars caused

Despite the religion or country, belief systems can prevail to form and encompass all aspects of society. From the way food is prepared to the architectural design of buildings are just some ways religion has the ability to mold the world. Whether it is Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or another religion, they all play a key role in the American way of life. The consistent battle between different denominations, religions, and non-believers over how much of a specific religion can have how much control is viewed through the conflict perspective lens. The main religion, Christianity, is the most dominant religion in the United States; hence, the core to many systems in the public. Sociologists Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim show that religion surfaces in the way that believers act, think, and the choices that they make in everyday life. Certain belief systems have had the ability to pacify, to keep the believers optimistic, and to serve as the backbone of many laws.

When it comes to religion, it is often tied to the supernatural or the divine. However, Durkheim argues that the idea of the supernatural is not an important factor of religious practices (Uricoechea 1992:159). The sacred does not always have supernatural qualities. It is more about the value that it holds to individuals that makes it sacred. Therefore society can be considered as such because people value it as means of shaping one’s

The major social institution I choose to discuss through the lens of the three major sociological theoretical perspectives of (1) structural functionalism, (2) symbolic interactionism, and (3) conflict theory is religion. (1) Structural Functionalism: Functionalists sees society as a system of parts that all serve a function. I think that religion serves a few functions for society. First of all, religion creates this sort of common ground for people to share creating this sense of solidarity amongst them. Also, religion seems to work as a sort of incentive for people to do good in the world. The ideas of religions (such as the idea of an afterlife) helps to put purpose into people’s lives - it gives them a reason to live. To me, this perspective

Personally, I have always thought religion is the shared beliefs and practices of human beings. Religion is something that you can put your faith towards and believe in your life. Religion is the belief that that there is something larger than oneself and that you have to answer to for your good and bad deeds in life. There are so many different types of religions and cultures around the world. Religion is often used to label or identify a group of people. This label gives you some idea of people’s beliefs and morals. It defines our lifestyles, such as the way we act or dress, etc. Some people think their religious affiliation automatically predetermines the type of person that they are destined to grow up to be.

It should be undisputed that religion is very much intertwined with the construction of our world. Both Peter Berger and Emile Durkheim consider similar ideas about the role of religion in the construction in our world. However, both approach the sociological study of religion from two different viewpoints: functionalist and substantive. Berger adopts the functionalist stance, which much more scientific than the substantive stance, which Durkheim chooses to adopt. The functionalist study of religion focuses more on the “quantity” of religion, i.e. an individual’s experience of religion, or religion’s impact on that individual. Functionalists also believe that there is a clear demarcation between what is sacred and what is “profane.” Meanwhile, Durkheim adopted the more sociological substantive stance towards religion, which studies the community and collective effect that religion brings about.

Religion binds it all in a society, asserts Durkheim. From developing the morality of the society to creating a refuge, the quintessential social fact of religion forms society. Because of adhesive nature of religion, its influence, shared ideas and virtues that bring

In order to truly assess the legitimacy of Durkheim 's functionalist definition of religion, his notion of Social facts, (upon which his theory is constructed) must be examined. Durkheim advocated that amongst the reputable fields of biology, psychology and history, Sociology also warranted a specific focus. It was, for him: a 'sui generis ' "something that had to be explained on its own terms". Sociology was not, for Durkheim, a field that should be susceptible to overlapping subject matter: he believed that there existed concrete social facts recognisable "by the power of eternal coercion" which they are "capable of exercising over individuals". This claim is an imperative one because it is the platform on which his functionalist