Introduction
The study of religion can be in relation to many disciplines. The sociological study of religion is the critical inspection of the spiritual beliefs and religious patterns using sociological approaches. Both qualitative and quantitative measures are necessary during the sociological study of religion. Sociologists, who specialize in religious issues, focus on the different elements of religions like methods of worship, cults, sects, and the effects of these elements to different social groups (race and gender). Although people practice religion in privacy, it is a societal phenomenon. The following paper discusses the impact of religion to the society in relation to the views of some theorists.
The origin of sociological study of religion
Historically, theorists like Max Weber, Karl Max, and Emile Durkheim put forward ideologies about society and religion. For instance according to Karl Marx, religion not only alienates human beings from behaving naturally but also denies what rightly belongs to them. Instead of people enjoying their social and economic benefits they throw them away to unknown gods. While Durkheim views society as the element, which propelled the establishment of religion. On the other hand, Weber cites modernization and subsequent bureaucracy as the major elements, which motivated people to form religions in the world (2002, p.40).
Finally, Berger cites religion as a social product that encompasses all human thoughts, believes and structures in order to understand strange phenomenon like death, evilness and sickness among others (1990, p.70). Therefore, the early sociologists initiated the sociological study of religion in the current society.
Description of religion by sociologist
In the contemporary world, there are many religion groups, which attract different social groups. Sociologists put religions into four categories. The first group is the ecclesia, which include the Roman Catholic Church and the Islam. Islam has strong roots in the Asian world especially in the Middle East. The second group is the denomination, which include the Seventh – day Adventist, the Lutheran church and the Methodists church. Thirdly, sect comes into existence after a group of people rebel against a core religion. Commonly, the people who hail from a low social and economic backgrounds form sect groups, but the religious practice may dissolve, grow into a denomination or an institution. Hutteristes, Iglesia, and Amish are some of the sects, which broke away from the Lutheran and Anglican Church respectively (Johnstone, 2007, p. 20).
Finally, cults are new worship groups that embrace religious practice from different sources including cultural patterns. Although they may culminate into denominations, most states decline to offer them denomination status because of their esoteric activities.
Difference of sociological study of religion from different scientific approaches
The sociological study of religion tries to enlighten the society on the origin religions and the impact of to human behavior, which is not the case with other disciplines. In addition, the sociologists who study religion in the contemporary world expounds on social elements like abortions, political activities, personal relationships and sexuality, which are leading religious themes in both Medias and churches or other worship places. Therefore, sociology, as a nonreligious discipline, enlightens the society on how religion operates.
Conclusion
In summary, the sociological study of religion is an ancient phenomenon that dates back in the twentieth century. Ancient sociologists like Durkheim, Marx, and Weber researched on the relationship between the society and religion. Thus, in sociological view religions have three divisions namely denominations, sects, cults and ecclesia all of which have different impacts on the social lives of human beings. In the current society, sociologists assist in expounding religious teachings, which are mostly common in media.
References
Berger, P (1990). The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion. UK: Anchor Books. Web.
Johnstone, R. (2007).Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Web.
Weber, M (2002). The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Los Angeles: Roxbury Company. Web.