What is religion discuss the development of sociology of religion?
What is religion discuss the development of sociology of religion?
Religion refers to the belief system, scriptures, teachings, rituals, ethics, and morals in relation to something sacred or spiritual. It facilitates solidarity and social integration by forming a strong & shared religious consciousness.
Sociology of religion studies religion and its practices, organization, consequences, and manifestations by conducting sociological research. Sociology of religion observes, analyzes, and studies all aspects of religion and how it affects society and its people.
The development of the Sociology of religion originated with the work of classical sociologists. Sociology took birth post the enlightenment era that emphasized scientific reason and rationality over religious and moral rationality. Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber shared their views on religion and encouraged the future developments of the sociology of religion. The origin of sociology of religion can be traced in the contributions of the below-mentioned sociologists:
- Karl Marx was not opposed to religion, but he viewed religion in a different light. Marx stated that religion eases the diffusion of class oppression and domination. He stated that religion plays the role of opium for the oppressed and alienated working class. Religious ethics prevents the freedom and liberation of the working class from exploitation as it soothes the pain caused by alienation by justifying that suffering would be paid in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Emile Durkheim conducted a study attempting to trace the origin of religion through his work The Elementary Forms of Religion, published in 1912. Durkheim stated that religion originated from and with society. It represents a system of beliefs separating the sacred from the profane. Contrary to Marx, Durkheim stated that religion plays a vital role in generating social integration by developing a strong collective consciousness.
- Max Weber shared his views on religion through the infamous study he conducted in 1905 titled The Protestant Ethics and Spirit of Capitalism. In this work, Weber highlighted the role religion played in facilitating and promoting capitalism in modern society. Religious ethics and economy are closely related to one another. Weber argued that religion and economy could influence and impact each other.
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