FIELD RESEARCH IN

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIONINTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST COLLEGE

LECTURER: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PORNTHIPA BANTOMSINDepartment of Philosophy and Religion, Faculty of Humanities Faculty,

Srinakharinvirot University, Bangkok

Sociology of Religion

What is sociology of Religion?

Classical Sociologists Auguste Comte (1798-1857) Karl Marx (1818-1883) Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) Religion and its effect on society

Max Weber (1864-1920) German Thinker (philosopher & sociologist)

Founder of Sociology and Sociology of Religion

Auguste C., Karl Marx, Emile D., Max Weber

Positivism - Auguste C., Karl Marx., Emile D., Anti-positivism - Max Weber

August Comte believed in single organism of society. Religion was a social glue keeping the separate sector intact.

Weber's famous work on the sociology of religion started with the essay,

“ The protestant ethics and the spirit of Capitalism” and then,“ The analysis of the religion of China, India and Judaism.”

His thought stated on how religious ideas effected on economic activities. The puritan Christianity had an impact on economic growth in Europe and North America.

Rationalism play roles in scientific development and Mathematics.

Result : 1. Tradition religion vanish with the growth of science then it would have to be replaced with a new of religion based upon sound scientific principles.

2. The study of science in connection to social unity and cohesion is sociology

3. The beginning of studying applied sociology - analysis and synthesis - the relation between layperson and monks - the meaning of ritual performance in religions - the meaning of Gods and Gods in relation to human psychology - the roots of religion / The origin of religion - religion and mystic

Comte believed that religion woulddisappear entirely in a modernrational society.

Religion is the product of reason andand of the human capacity to generalizein an attempt to understand and explainthe world.

Religion and IdeologyKarl Marx

-Functionalism-Religion role in society-Class interest in the society -A tool for the manipulation and Oppression of the subordinate class in society

Marx observed that:Christian believe that God created manIn his own image whereas the truth is that man created God in his own image.

Man makes religion, religion does not makeMan.Religion is the self-consciousness of man who has either not yet found himself or hasalready lost himself again.

Society produce religion.Religion is the sign of the oppressedcreature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people.

Marx said that:

The criticism of religion disillusion man

to make him think and act and shape hisreality like a man who has been disillusionedand has come to reason, so that he will revolve round himself and therefore round histrue sun. Religion is only the illusory sun which revolves round man as long as he does not revolve round himself.

Engels expressed the idea:Religion…is nothing but the fantastic in men’s minds of those external forces which

control their daily life, a reflection in which the terrestrial forces assume the form of supernatural life.

Criticisms of Marx; The Marxist approach tends to ignoreMany aspect of religion, to oversimplify acomplex phenomenon, and to make sweeping generalization. Marxist theory can only explain human condition in term of matter but can not give the answer of human suffering, life and

death and so on.Marx thought that the growth of class consciousness would be a turning awayfrom religion which in reality it is not true.

Marxist theory cannot give us the clearpicture of the relationship between religion and class consciousness and thelevel of class division in modern daysociety.

Therefore, Marx cannot produce a comprehensive analysis of religion.

What is the main area of study in sociology of religion? -Ritual and its effect on social value -Social functions of religion (Durkhiem) collective consciousness -Religion and politics -How religion can maintain social order ?

-Religion , science and Technology

Example of research topics in sociology of religion

What religious think about the poor?Immigrant and the faith they bring.

Anti-modernism, modernism, and postmodernism, struggle with the culturalSignificance of new religion

The ‘Free Monks’ Phenomenon: Music and Modernity in Contemporary Greek Orthodoxy

Methods for Exploring Primordial Elements of Youth Spirituality

A brief description of: Clergy Women:  An Uphill Calling

Dying a Martyr’s Death:  The Political Culture of Self-Sacrifice in Contemporary Islamists 

Exploring the Role of Media in Religious Identity-construction Among Teens

How to conduct field research in philosophy and Religion ?- Topic- Make a Survey of the place- Mapping-Interview/ group interview or personnel - interview / How many times?

- Ethics codes / truth telling- Result of the research for public/private benefit

Instruments;-tape recorder/ camera / video camera-questionnaire

How to gather the information from theQuestionnaires?

Read it carefully with critical mind.

How to write the questionnaire?

Focus on objectives of your research. Set questions which are relevant to objectives. Rechecking question

Good Observation/ good planning/ appointment / Participatory methodCollected information orderly from questionnaire as soon as possible, and note it down.

What is Mixed-method?

Documentary Research and Field Research can be used as methodologies In either philosophy or religious studies

In religion and philosophy

Qualitative research use more thanQuantitative research

How to write?In scientific research , the report is written base on fact, on what researcher discover or laboratory test.

In social science and Humanities, the research report is based on documents, or gathering informations in field research such as from interviewer, location of the place and etc. (depend on area of studies)

How to convince the reader/ or clarifyyour argumentation/ describe or explainAbout X ?

Logic is needed.You have to design your writing style.Remember, using words is always need timeTo think./ Dictionary is a great helpClarify your thought

From chapter to chapter, the content should be related, and writing academic work should be direct to the point.

Reading can help you on how to write.Reread and listen to the comments No contradiction from paragraph to paragraphConfirm your view pointCritical AnalysisSuggestions

Thesis How to write reference?

APA , MLA, and Chicago style of citation Chicago style of citation How to type?

DiagramTablePicture MapWhere to put ?

Put reference underneath / explanation

Be careful !

Spelling mistakeGap/ between sentences/ signParagraph Other languages

Write with clarity thought and mind with support from the original text when it is necessary with references.

How to write the article?

Summaries content of your thesis.Should not be too longChoose the proper JournalAnswering the objectives of the research Cleary, analysis and suggestions must appear.