The Challenges of Sociology to Religious Belief

Is religion a product of society?

Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917)

What is religion? Where does religion come from? What is the function and

importance of religion for society?

Emile Durkheim

What is religion? ‘a unified system of beliefs and

practices relative to sacred things’ Sacred things e.g. Christian cross

Believed to have special quality Set apart from everyday things

Rituals e.g. prayer, communion Performed by groups Follow set pattern

Emile Durkheim Where does religion come from? Examined primitive religion

Australian Aborigines Divided into small groups – clans Each clan associated with a totem Totem was specific animal or plant considered

sacred But each clan had own animal Images of totem considered more sacred than actual

animal Concluded clan to be more important than the totem

Emile Durkheim Therefore the focus of worship in all

religions is actually society We must behave in a socially

acceptable way But that does not mean we want to

behave that way ‘… society to its members is what a

god is to his worshipers’ (Durkheim)

Emile Durkheim What is the function and importance of

religion for society? Religion holds society together Especially through rituals Rituals strengthened people’s dependence

on society Form of ritual is unimportant – one as valid as

another Object of worship also does not matter We will in time worship objects other than a god

e.g. Princess Diana

Emile Durkheim

Conclusions Durkheim does not disprove God Shows that worship of a god could be

the effect of society Gods are a symbol of society rather

than a reality But whilst he might be right about

most religions there could still be ‘one true God’

Emile Durkheim Strengths

Accounts for enormous variety of religions

Religion does play a part in strengthening society

Religious objects do unit people and place values upon them

Explains the social side of religion – collective worship

This is not covered by psychology

Emile Durkheim Weaknesses

Does not explain why and how Music may unite people but the composer may

have set out to express himself In the same way religion could have come about as

a response to God’s love No evidence of his interpretation of the

Aboriginal religion Even if correct does not mean all religions

come from the same process E.g. Muhammad reject society

Whilst religion can unite society it can also create division

E.g. Catholic -v- Protestant Interpretation of religion is too broad

Max Weber (1864-1920) Society only one of several factors

explaining religion Religion is a major force behind

change of society Weber less interested in origin of

religion Concerned with different types and

impact on society

Max Weber

Three key questions Where does religion come from? What is the relationship between

one’s religious beliefs and the social group to which one belongs?

What is the impact of religious beliefs upon the behaviour of society?

Max Weber Where does religion come from?

Religion is universal Makes sense of life Fulfils basic psychological needs

Our ideal interests We want life to be kind and fair In practice it is senseless This leads to religion

Material interests Our position in society and our interests

determine our religious view Charismatic prophets

introduced the various religions

Max Weber What is the relationship between

one’s religious beliefs and the social group to which one belongs? Weber noted:

Primitive societies centred their religion on material need – food and wealth

Developed societies centred their religion on ethical rules

Wealthy people use religion to justify their wealth through their righteousness

Max Weber What is the impact of religious

beliefs upon the behaviour of society?

Once adopted, a religion can have a major impact on behaviour and economic activity

Introduction of Protestantism coincided with Capitalism

Protestantism encouraged involvement in the world

Idea of predestination led to need to perform one’s duty as if one of the elect

Max Weber Strengths

Accepts complexity of religion Leaves room for possibility that God does

exist There are examples of religious beliefs

influenced by interests E.g. liberation theology

There are examples of religion bringing about social change

E.g. anti-apartheid headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Link between religion and capitalism is plausible

Max Weber Weaknesses

Offers no prove that God does not exist Psychological need could have been given

to us by God Society could influence our beliefs

differently because our needs are different R. Tawney suggests that capitalism

brought about a change in behaviour not religion

Capitalism is found in predominantly Catholic countries e.g. Belgium, Japan

Parkin shows that Calvinism opposes profit for it’s own sake

Putting it altogether

Write bullet points that show how you would go about answering the following exam question:

a) Explain how sociologists have understood the role of religion in society. (33)

b) ‘Sociology presents no threat to belief in God.’ Discuss (17)