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Religion from a Theological Academic Perspective
. Some of the most critical sociologists in matters of religion include: Durkheim and
Weber. These two sociologists developed individual theories of concern to the issue of religion.
It is through these theories that we understand the notion of religion. However, it is worth noting
that both sociologists held some similarities as well as differences in describing the concept of
religion and its uses in the society.
According to Durkheim, religious phenomena materialize in any culture after a
separation is made between the fields of the profane (everyday activities) and the sphere of the
sacred. One perception of religion is the expression of communal consciousness. It is a
combination of individual conscious that forms a reality of its own (Durkheim 34). He argues
that those communities which are less intricate in nature have less complex religion while for
those with are more multifaceted will have simple religious systems. This forms the notion that
religion and nature are two intertwined aspects. In this case, a strong believe in the supernatural
leads to a stronger religion and vice versa. On the other hand Weber majors in working on
examining how religious groups and views interrelate with other features of social life, especially
the economy..
The two thinkers had some similarities in their views on religion. The two thinkers used
capitalism and the era of Industrial revolution to base their theories on religion. Additionally
both observed religion as a reflection of the society instead of a supernatural certainty. Durkheim
argued that God was not only the glorification of human nature, but of society as a whole
according to him God and the society played the same purposeful rule , that is the role which an
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individual must depend on a superior being (Durkheim 18). On the other hand Weber had a
related concept of religion. He argued that the symbols of religion appeared to symbolize preexisting political systems. Both thinkers used the early history of human culture to form
hypothesis about religion. Arguably, this extends the concept of religion and connects it to
culture as well as to the society. Moreover both scholars studied religion as a scientific study
(Durkheim 46). The science in Durkheim principles on moral effects of religion while as for
Weber centered on the effects of religion on economic part of life.
Even though the two had similarities in their arguments about religion they also had
their share of differences on the same. This includes their individual versus holistic approach on
religion theories. Weber stated that a religious person would in order to better himself and in
return obtain favor before god and in the life after death (Weber 37). On the contrary social
solidarity formed the basis for teachings on religion by Durkheim. He invented that the function
of religion was not to make us believe about the nature of this world or the “other world” but it
was to a certain extent to telling us how to act and how to live in the community and in the real
world (Weber 15). In Weber’s hypothesis of religion the group was not an integral part. To him
individuals formed societies. While to Durkheim the society created the individual. Durkheim
saw religion as a way that the society uses to create order via moral regulation. In dissimilarity,
Weber, on the other hand, observed that the religious experience was a highly individual
experience and argued that humans found subjective meaning to life through individual religious
experience.
In conclusion, both Weber and Durkheim clearly explained their individual stances
regarding the notion of religion. As both sociologists argue, religion and society go hand in hand
and this makes the two notions inseparable. Through this, we deduce the fact that there cannot be
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religion without the society and it would be true to also say that as long as people believe in
something supernatural then there will always be religion. As such, the description of the
supernatural and religion are two aspects which are bound together. However, not all humans can
religious and at the same time not all of them can atheists. Religion basically is formed on morals
whether society or individual and it has a key crucial role in the society.
The majority of the paper is very awkward and unclear. You also left out almost all of the
important concepts which we covered such as totemism, sacred/profane,
secularization/modernization theses, the three ideal types, and the Protestant Ethic. I recommend
taking your papers to the Writing Center as well to help better organize and phrase your papers.
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Conclusion: 2/2
Total: 12/25
Work cited
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Durkheim, E., & Swain, J. W. The elementary forms of the religious life. Courier Corporation.
(2008).
Weber, M. The sociology of religion. Beacon Press. (2010)