Introduction
Religion is people’s belief in a superpower, expressed through physical practices, spiritual faith, and worship. Sociologists rarely draw firm conclusions about theology, as it is a culturally sensitive topic that people decide for themselves. However, some of them, including the French sociologist and philosopher Émile Durkheim, define religion and emphasize its functions. Based on this characterization, it is a social institution that addresses the public’s needs, establishes its morality, and controls it.
Durkheim’s Perspective on Religion
The presenter’s ideas in the video “Religion: Crash Course Sociology” are based on Durkheim’s theory about religion (CrashCourse, 2018). Durkheim did not delve into narratives about creators and creations but viewed it as an institution recognizing sacred phenomena deserving of social and individual reverence. Instead of the battle between good and evil, the term focuses on acknowledging sacredness and separating it from daily life.
Symbolic Interactionism
The video also analyzes faith through symbolic interactionism, where a person’s physical appearance or practices help them identify with the faith and recognize it in others. The definition of religion extends to rituals involving ablution, making the sign of the cross, or grooming, as each serves to make followers praise the holy. Therefore, it touches on the individual’s beliefs and expands into their daily lives.
The functions of religion are reported through the lens of structural functionalism when all parties have different responsibilities but cooperate smoothly. Primarily, faith contributes to social cohesion and creates a unified system around a shared symbol. The more fairness and morality are promoted, the better society eliminates injustice.
Additionally, it is used as a tool of social control, as the scriptures dictate societal expectations for obedience to prevent deviant behavior. Eventually, divinity offers people a sense of purpose, ensuring that their good actions matter. These three functions justify why faith is integral to many citizens’ lives.
Conformity
The speaker in this video states that people often behave well to conform to their religious norms, but individuals’ intentions differ. Their purpose might be “to remain in their God’s good graces,” undermining the role of other units. In essence, the statement is true for some people, as many religions promote the idea that humans should not fear one another but worship only their creators. This idea is supported by the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which mandate that they behave well.
In contrast, others are motivated to act ethically for social reasons, as they desire acceptance. Moreover, many teachings, including Buddhism and Confucianism, are established upon respect for family, older people, and friends, so these two ways are interconnected. Spiritual, social, or even interrelated beliefs might motivate people to behave well, so the statement should have offered a more nuanced review of different perspectives.
Conflict Theory
According to the conflict theory, religion perpetuates gender, social, and racial inequalities. The video justifies it by outlining that most of the divine figures were white males and that God is also depicted as a white man. Unfortunately, injustice persists today, as some citizens cling to assumptions derived from scripture. For example, they believe women are subordinate to men since Eve was created from Adam’s rib. That is why women are treated as immoral humans demanding male coercion, limiting their job opportunities, and placing household burdens on them.
However, theology provides no evidence for marginalization based on skin color, so it is not maintained today. Racial discrimination in Christianity terminated in the 19th century once slavery stopped being morally justifiable, and darker skin did not symbolize punishment for sins. Based on the abovementioned arguments, only women are still suffering from inequality maintained by religion.
Conclusion
To conclude, religion plays an essential role in many citizens’ lives, providing a sense of purpose and helping them feel valued and meaningful. It also ensures people obey orders and avoid deviancy, promoting moral and ethical values. Nevertheless, some texts might have been misinterpreted by followers, leading them to violate justice and fairness and to neglect women’s rights. Considering that racial discrimination was excluded from religious narratives, there is a hope that gender equality will also be praised.
Reference
CrashCourse. (2018). Religion: Crash course Sociology #39. YouTube.