Sociology and Religion

FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH AND IMPACT OF SOCIOLOGICAL IDEALS

Roots of religion

Religion developed out of
the observations that early humans
Made about their world.

Humans used their experiences to
to develop their own conclusions
of their world.

Roots of religion continued
Early humans saw themselves as people who shared
their land with other beings
They concluded that there were more powerful beings
than themselves
The sun and mood were the first higher beings
They concluded that after death, the persons spirit
would exist outside and be reflected in their
environment.
Roots of religion continued.
Without the spirit in the body, the person would not function as they
believed.
Each person had will, the ability to act on their own.
All forces in nature were thought to be controlled and influenced by a
higher power; a god.
These ideas of the world would be organized and shared with others
through storytelling.
Early humans were concerned with surviving, and not with making any
social changes. This was their limitation at first.
World Religions
The major world religions developed at times different times
throughout history.
These faiths include: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and
Buddhism
Hinduism is the oldest of all religions, and teaches reincarnation
and karma.
Judaism was founded in 2000 B.C. Laws are established by God
and there is more impact of ones actions than their beliefs.

World Religions continued.
Christianity was established by Jesus Christ, and teaches followers to love
God and their fellow man. Justice and acts of charity are emphasized.
Buddhism was founded by the Buddha in 4th or 5th century B.C, India.
Followers are taught the Four Noble Truths: All beings suffer, Desire can
cause suffering, Desire can be overcome, and the Eightfold Path leads
away from desire.
Islam was founded by Mohammed. It teaches followers the Five Pillars:
profession of faith, prayer, charitable giving, fasting during Ramadan, and
pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.

Durkheims Perspective on Religion
and Functionalism
As the founder of Functionalism, Durkheim was instrumental in studying
sociology in religion.
He observed that people are able to make a distinction from what he
called the Sacred, and the Profane.
Sacred is any element that inspires respect, awe, and even fear.
Profane is any element of life that is ordinary and commonplace, and
distinguished from the sacred.
Durkheim propsed that religion has a social function where it promotes
unity and a sense of community among followers.
Webers Perspective on Religion
Max Weber expanded on Durkheims studies by observing major religions.
His focus was on Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism.
Weber was fascinated with exploring the influence of Christianity on
Western society and the impact it made on a cultural perspective.
One aspect of Christianity he identified was in Protestantism, a branched
off Christian faith.
Weber concluded that the roots of Capitalism could be traced to the
Protestant work ethic.


Marx
Karl Marx did not have a solid religious background, nor did he study
religions and their effects on society as Durkheim and Weber did.
He thought of religion as the opium of the people.
Marx believed that people are simply taught to accept their lives as they
are and await their rewards after death.
There was no use in striving for social change because of religious
teachings.
It is important to make it clear that Marx was not against religion in any
sense, but rather a powerful force for the oppressed workers(proletariat) to
hold onto hope.
Works Cited
"Sociological Theories of Religion." Sociological Theories of Religion. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, n.d. Web. 21 Apr.
2014.
"Functions of Religion - Boundless Open Textbook." Boundless. Boundless Education Publishing, n.d. Web. 20 Apr.
2014.
"Durkheim and Religion ,Social Demography,Sociology Guide." Durkheim and Religion ,Social
Demography,Sociology Guide. Concern Infotech, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
Pals, Daniel L. "4 Emile Durkheim The Social as the Sacred." Introducing Religion: Readings from the Classic
Theorists. New York: Oxford UP, 2009. 99-117. Print.
Bancroft, Angus Rogers, and Sioned Rogers. "Emile Durkheim - The Sociology of Religion." Emile Durkheim - The
Sociology of Religion. N.p., 2010. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Witt, Jon. SOC 2013. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Web.
Barrett, Justin L. "Exploring the Natural Foundations of Religion." Trends in Cognitive Sciences 4.1 (2000): 29-34.
Print.