the definition of religion is as controversial and complex as religions have been throughout known human history.Religion has been the biggest influence on human culture in basically every society known to man. Many scholars have tried to give a definition of what religion truly is but many detailed definitions have been proven to be false in different societies. To my understanding religion is a way of explaining the unexplainable and unknown. Almost every type of religion would fall under thise type of broad definition. It seems that such broad definitions have not satisfied scholars as many have tried to come up with a narrow definition in order to explain their personal beliefs and theories. One such scholar was Karl Marx who although know for the creation of communism also gave an explanation of religion. Marx's opinion was similar to but also contrasted with Emile Durkheim's definition of what religion is. Each scholar tried to use their concepts of what religion is in order to try and prove their theories on social matters.
Durkheim was trying to launch what was then a new science called sociology and have it gain as much respect as other recently created sciences like psychology and biology. Perhaps th
Marx and Durkheim's views of religion are different in many ways. Durkheim saw religion as a unifying force which influenced and encouraged social interaction. Marx ,on the other hand, believed that religion created class divisions between the rich and the poor and justified those divisions. Marx's beliefs can clearly be seen in the caste system in hinduism which divides Indian society into several class structures. Durkheim believed that religion played a much more positive role in peoples lives as it gave them morales and guidelines on how to behave with others in society while in contrast Marx believed that these limitations were what influenced the current social structure in which a large population was in his view being unjustifiebly mistreated. Where both these men agree on the topic is in believing that religion is not necessary and that the world can do without it. Durkheim stated that religion was society and once we all realize this there will be no loss of morality due to a loss of religion. Marx believed that a communist revolution would lead to the end of religion. Both were wrong on this. In the past years religion has still remained to be a guiding force in the lives of many people. Marx was wrong which can be shown by the simple fact that through all the efforts of communism to abolish religion it could not succeed. The common masses which he viewed as being mistreated by religion would not give it up. This would be a paradox if we took what Marx said as being the factual truth. Durkheim also overstated the sense of social togetherness that he saw was the propose and definition of religion. Although this holds some truth to it, How would he explain the religion of Baptist Christianity which dominates American society and in which the emphasis is on the individua
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