Religion A Sociological Approach Essays - Anthropology Of Religion

Religion: A Sociological Approach November 29, 2000 Religion What is religion? Thats easy, I thought. Then I could not come up with an answer. For the answer I turn to my Websters Random House New Collegiate Dictionary only to find: religion (ri lijen), 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 functionalist perspective, the symbolic interationist perspective, and the conflict perspective can be applied to religion. Religion can be Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Wiccan, 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. This distinction was outlined by Durkeim in, The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. He also noted that people generally congregate and form a community to practice their religion. Religion is composed of a belief structure (totem), sacred practice (ceremony), and a moral community (church). Durkeim concluded his book with these words: A religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden-beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them. The basic function of religion is answering questions people ask to feel personal security. People generally want to know what life is and why we want to live it. People either form their own answers or turn to religion. Those who believe the same congregate and agree on guidelines and rituals of their religion. Religion also allows people to adapt to new situations and instills patriotism. Religious Dysfunction is also important. Religion has caused horrible pains and sufferings. Bloody WARS and crusades have been carried out in Gods name. Religion mixes with politics and causes countries to fight other countries and even declare civil war. In the past religion has justified religious persecution, oppression, and brutal acts. 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. Karl Marx applied the Conflict Theory of religion. He was an avowed atheist and mocked those who flocked to religion to fill the void in their lives. He believed that religion allowed people to forget their misery and escape the mundane lives they live. Religions such as Hinduism support social inequality. The Egyptian pharaoh is revered as a god and demands hierarchical social structure. Civil wars develop because of different social ideas of utopia. Karl Marx said, it [religion] is the opiate of the people. Max Weber disagreed with the conflict theory of religion. Weber said ,Religion held the key to modernization. Religion has four types of followings. A religion is a