Introduction: The Sociology of Religion as a New Interpretation of Theological Issues
Weirdly enough, the idea of studying human race in general and the phenomenon of society in particular is rather recent. Having appeared in the XIX century, however, it has become one of the major fields of social sciences.
Indeed, researches on the subject of the factors that predetermine people’s behavior, shape their character and serve as the causes of people’s actions is rather intriguing. However, after studying the key elements that have the greatest impact on society, the humankind has come up to a peculiar conclusion that religion takes a very important part of an individual’s life in society.
Even atheists have pondered religious issues once before deciding not to be converted to any of the major religions. Moreover, the attitudes towards religion in a specific society can shape the life of an individual greatly. Hence, the need in the sociology of religion appears to study the impact that religion has on society and its members.
Sociology of Religion: Definition and Examples. Pinning Down the Essence of the Phenomenon
There are many ways to define the phenomenon of sociology of religion. However, it is important to mention that the search for the right definition is rather hard in the given case, mostly because the issue in question embraces two extremely broad notions, i.e., sociology and religion. Hence, to define the phenomenon under discussion, it is required to denote the two above-mentioned terms.
According to the popular definition, sociology is the social science that focuses on the development of society and the processes that take place in society, as well as the relationships between its members. In its turn, religion can be defined as a social phenomenon that incorporates a system of beliefs and relates to spirituality. It is essential to mention that religion often provides a set of moral value and norms for its adepts to follow.
With that in mind, one can come up with a proper definition for the sociology of religion. Offering a completely objective evaluation of the impact of any religion on any society, sociology of religion presupposes the study of the effects that religion has on a particular society, the way it shapes the behavior of the members of the given society and how religion helps create certain moral values within the given society. In a very basic way, sociology of religion is the study of how religion shapes the communication between the members of a specific society.
The Significance of the Subject: When Religion Must Be Considered from a Social Standpoint
As it can be deduced from the definition offered above, religion plays quite an important role in an average society. It affects people, their lives, the way they behave, communicate with each other and even judge each other. However, the significance of the subject still needs to be evaluated.
While religion does play a great role in a specific society, it might have an impact on a single issue, thus, empowering people to behave in a certain way, or, on the contrary, touch upon a number of various issues slightly, thus, penetrating every single aspect of people’s lives and influencing it subtly.
As it turns out, religion shapes several basic fields. To start with, it affects the group thinking. Providing the growing foil for the concepts of good and bad among the members of a specific society, religion helps channel the current of thoughts of any individual member of the society into the necessary track.
Another important way in which religion shapes the life of a specific society is enhancing all sorts of group practices, be these religious rituals or certain habits. Disregarding the results of the given practices, one must admit that the latter serve mostly to bring a certain group of people together.
In addition, religion serves to distill the group goals. While without religious context, people can have completely different goals, e.g., making a career, raising children, starting a war, etc., religion sets common goals for the entire community. The given feature of religion brings the members of the society even closer to each other.
The moral principles that most religions establish in the society are also worth mentioning. No matter what one might say about the negative effects of religion, it is still necessary to admit that religion provides people with moral guidelines.
However, the defining element that religion brings into society and that glues the members of the society together is the notion of the sacred. With the help of the holy other, as scholars define the phenomenon, religion allows to create the image of an idol that becomes the object of worship.
Rational Choice Theory and Its Key Postulates: Modeling Social and Economic Behaviors
On the surface, the idea of following the beliefs which, from a rational point of view, have never been tested and seem to have nothing to do with reality is quite hard to explain, the phenomenon of common religious beliefs within a specific society can be explained with the help of the rational choice theory.
According to the latter, it is in human nature to choose the most favorable option in a specific situation, or what seems the most favorable option according to the actions of the society members. Hence, choosing between the harsh light of reality and the bliss of Promised Land, one will doubtlessly choose the latter. Providing emotional support in difficult situations, religion becomes the support that anyone can afford. Hence, the existence and the functions of religion in a society are fully justified by the rational choice theory.
Conclusion: When Religion Is Viewed as a Social Phenomenon
Judging by the fact that religion still has a huge impact on peoples’ lives, one must admit that society and religion are intertwined. Moreover, religion performs a number of functions in the society, bringing all of its elements together. Performing the functions of a stronghold that people can always rely on, the set of morals that serves as guidance for the members of the society and the idea of the sacred that brings the people of different background together, religion is an integral part of a social structure.
However, as it has been discovered, religion is more than another substitute for the idea of magic and an excuse for being superstitious; as a matter of fact, religion offers another means to control people quite efficiently. Hence, when becoming a tool instead of a guide for the members of society, religion can lose its primary meaning and become another weapon of control.