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Presented By: Palistha Saiju

Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, Sallaghari, Bhaktapur

Definition

The sociology of religion is the study of mutual

interaction of religious and other institutions.

Religion has been derived from word ‘Religare”

which means to bind.

Peoples organized response or attitude towards

super natural structure or power.

Response to the awe-inspiring extra ordinary

manifestation of reality.

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Social conflict approach is rooted in Marx's analysis of

capitalism.

Religion plays important role in maintaining the status

quo

Highlights how religion maintains social inequality by

providing a worldview that justifies oppression

(bourgeoisie and proletariat)

Religion as an opium and puts fog in the eye of general

people,

Social conflict 4

5Social conflict

Presents religion as naturalistic explanation of the

origin of the religion.

Berger led the framework for this approach.

Religion is not created by or for supernatural beings

but rather is the result of societies explaining certain

elements of society as sacred.

Religion emerged as the necessity for the preservation

of society.

Social Constructionist 6

Functionalism is rooted in Emile Durkheim’s work on

religion (In his Book: An elementary form of religious

life)

Argued that religion is the celebration and self worship

of human society.

Religion 3 main function in society:

-Social cohesion

-Social control

-Providing meaning and purpose

Functionalism 7

Religion exists because it answers existentential

questions that are difficult and impossible to address

scientifically.

Science- unable to address higher purpose in life other

than simply to reproduce or exist.

Social Psychological 8

Hinduism- infinite manifestation of god

Buddhism- believes no deity or god exist

Islam- devoted to one transcendent god

Christianity - one infinite and personal god

Major Religions of the World 9

It is one of the strong social institutions.

Religion binds according of EMILE DURKHEIM.

All the religious seeks for purity of lineage.

All the religion has certain rules for worship.

All the religion seeks to flourish art and architecture.

Religion defines what is sacred and profane.

Religion upholds social norms.

Godly power surmounts Devil power.

Characteristics of Religion 10

Reverence towards supernatural being

Purity of lineage

Animism, Monotheism or polytheism

Sacred Vs. Profane

Method of salvation

Place of worship

Provision of fetishism

Components of Religion 11

Women tend to be more religious than that of men. They

tend to attend service more often, are more likely to

belief in supernatural concept and are more likely to

report a religious affiliation

Religion and Gender 12

Emile Durkheim wrote a famous book “Suicide” in 1897

that religious group have less suicidal cases in comparison

to anti religious group i.e. Catholic ethics and protestant

ethics

Religion and Suicide 13

First sense of community with mutual experience with

each other.

Religion determines social change.(peace, harmony,

social order)

Agent of social control.

Creates social unity, identity, harmony, and social

solidarity.

Promote social welfare and recreations.

Religion and Society 14

Self importance of knowing thyself.

Encompasses superstitious beliefs, evil practices,

undermining human potentiality.

Retardation of social progress and over idealism for

spirituality that hinders social progress.

Religion and Society 15

16Bibliography

https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundle

ss-sociology-textbook/socialization-4/agents-of-

socialization-46/religion-288-10196/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociology_of_religion#Vie

w_of_religion_in_classical_sociology

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-

guides/sociology/religion/sociological-theories-of-

religion

ANY QUERIES!!!

THANK YOU!!!

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