A Sociological Approach To Religion
What is religion? “That’s easy,” I thought. Then I could not come up with an answer. For the answer I turn to my Webster’s Random House New Collegiate Dictionary only to find: “religion (ri lij’en), n. 1. A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usu. involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code for conduct of human affairs. 2. A specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion. 3. The body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4. The life or state of a monk, nun, etc: to enter a religion. 5. The practice of religious beliefs: ritual observance of faith. 6. Something a person believes in and follows devotedly. 7. Archaic. Strict faithfulness: devotion.” Simply stated religion is a set of beliefs, morals, or observances. Sociologists have studied religion and its effects on people. Sociologists hope to gain a better understanding of the need for religion in communities and singular lives. The function
The Symbolic Interactionist perspective looks at the symbols people use. Symbols provide identity and social solidarity. In other words, people know who they are and whom they belong with by using symbols. One such symbol is the Christian fish. The letters of the Greek word “fish” are the first letters in the phrase, “Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Christians could use this symbol to communicate secretly and avoid persecution. A great deal of knowledge is packed behind a symbol. The rituals and religious experience are also important in this perspective. They create closeness with God and unite on a worldly scale. People attach meaning to objects and events and use representations to communicate one with another. alist perspective, the symbolic interationist perspective, and the conflict perspective can be applied to religion. Religion can be Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Wicca, or Greek mythology to name a few. Emile Durkeim studied a great deal on religion. He wrote a book that identified the components of a religion. This task seems impossible in a religiously divers society. All religions separate the sacred from the profane or secular. Durkeim in, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life outlined this distinction. He also noted that people generally congregate and form a community to practice their religion.
Some topics in this essay:
Max Weber,
Religious Life,
Collegiate Dictionary,
Archaic Strict,
Dysfunction Religion,
God” Christians,
Michael Gabriel,
Symbolic Interactionist,
Conflict Theory,
Emile Durkeim,
set beliefs,
beliefs practices,
religion religion,
set beliefs practices,
religion religions,
sect church,
theory religion,
moral community,
conflict theory,
karl marx,
conflict theory religion,
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Approximate Word count = 1010
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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