SOCIOLOGY LITERATURE REVIEW

Topic- Religion and Society

The "meaning of life" has been a topic of study and interpretation for humanity for ages.
According to many philosophers, humanity differs from other species because of this
reflection and the need to comprehend our place in the cosmos. Since the beginning of human
civilizations, religion has existed in some form or another in every human society.
Archaeological excavations have turned up ancient religious items, ceremonial grave sites,
and ritual objects. Religious disagreements have contributed significantly to societal unrest
and even war. Sociologists must research a culture's religion in order to comprehend it.

Émile Durkheim, a pioneering sociologist, characterized it with the ethereal phrase that it is
made up of "things that beyond the limitations of human knowledge". He said, "Religion is a
cohesive system of beliefs and actions pertaining to sacred objects, that is, set apart and
forbidden, beliefs and practices which combine into one single moral community, called a
church, all who adhere to them". Some people connect religion to buildings of worship (like
synagogues or churches), while others connect it to rituals (like confession or meditation) or
ideas that influence how they live their daily lives (like dharma or sin). They can all agree
that religion is a set of doctrines, principles, and rituals pertaining to what a person regards as
sacred.

Religion can be used as a lens through which to see various social problems and cultural
aspects. For instance, after the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, it became crucial in
North America for educators, clergy, and the media to inform the public about Islam in order
to reduce stereotypes and encourage religious tolerance. To better comprehend the role
religion plays in people's lives and how it affects society, sociological techniques and
procedures, such as surveys, polls, interviews, and historical data analysis, can be applied to
the study of religion in a culture.

Religion is a social institution, despite the fact that some people think of it as something
personal because religious ideas can be extremely individualized. Religious beliefs, practices,
and conventions that are centered on fundamental social needs and values are acknowledged
by social scientists as existing. Additionally, religion is a cultural universal that exists across
all social classes. Funeral rites, for example, are practiced in some form in every society, but
they differ between countries and among religious groups. The news of the death, the care of
the corpse, the disposition, and the ceremonial or ritual are all common parts in funeral
ceremonies, notwithstanding their variances. These commonalities, as well as the variations
in religious experiences among cultures and individuals, offer abundant material for
sociological study.

Sociologists who study religion make a distinction between a religion's experience, beliefs,
and rituals. The conviction or feeling that one is in touch with "the divine" is referred to as a
religious experience. People may encounter this kind of communion while they are
concentrating or praying. Religious beliefs are distinctive notions that adherents of a certain
faith firmly believe to be true, such as the notion that Jesus Christ was the divine son of God
or the concept of reincarnation. The fact that many religions subscribe to distinct creation
myths is another example of religious beliefs. Religious rituals are actions or activities that
members of a specific community are expected to perform, such as the bar mitzvah or
confession.

Religious institutions are seen by critical theorists as contributing to the perpetuation of social
inequity. For instance, Catholic parishioners have a low average income yet the Vatican is
extremely wealthy. The "divine right" of tyrannical rulers, in accordance with this viewpoint,
and unequal societal institutions, such as the caste system in India, have both been justified
by religion.

But when perceived injustices occur and religions become irrelevant, humanity has a way of
reacting. Evangelical churches, which are making significant advances not only in North
America but even more so in South America, are one of the fastest growing sectors of global
Christianity. The Catholic Church, long a stronghold in Latin and South America, has
suffered as a result of this rise.

Functionalists assert that religion performs a variety of social roles. In actuality, both religion
and society are necessary for each other's existence, worth, and relevance. In this view,
religion performs a variety of functions, including addressing spiritual mysteries, providing
emotional solace, fostering social connection, and enforcing societal control.

Religion defines the spiritual realm, spiritual powers, and divine entities in order to offer
solutions. For instance, it assists in addressing issues like "How was the world created?" Why
do we endure pain? Is there an afterlife? and "Is there a plan for our lives?" Religion also
serves the purpose of providing emotional support during difficult times. Through recurring,
well-known symbols and behavioral patterns, religious rituals provide order, comfort, and
organization.
Functionalists assert that religion performs a variety of social roles. In actuality, both religion
and society are necessary for each other's existence, worth, and relevance. In this view,
religion performs a variety of functions, including addressing spiritual mysteries, providing
emotional solace, fostering social connection, and enforcing societal control.

Religion defines the spiritual realm, spiritual powers, and divine entities in order to offer
solutions. For instance, it assists in addressing issues like "How was the world created?" Why
do we endure pain? Is there an afterlife? and "Is there a plan for our lives?" Religion also
serves the purpose of providing emotional support during difficult times. Through recurring,
well-known symbols and behavioral patterns, religious rituals provide order, comfort, and
organization.

The power of sociological research on religion extends far beyond our attitudes and actions
related to religion. These attitudes and behaviors fundamentally influence other significant
spheres of our existence. The sociological study of religion offers important insights into our
collective behavior, whether we are thinking about our opinions on politics, homosexuality,
or our children's schooling.