SOC614 Official Handouts

Lesson No. 1 Introduction to Sociology of Religion · Topic 1: Definition of Religion · Origin of the Religion

There are different theories regarding the origin of the religion. But it cannot be certainly said that when and how religious ideas emerged in history. It is also certainly cannot be said that what is the origin of the ideas of religion. All these are due to the fact that there is no broad consensus amongst the thinkers of this field regarding the origin of religion. At the very inception of human race on earth, men were totally ignorant about the different events that occurred in nature around them. But they were curious to know the happenings and accordingly, they applied their own efforts. They had to face the different natural calamities like storms, floods, lightning; dangerous animals, famine etc. and they were unable to overcome these situations. As a result, they had to imagine an invisible power mightier than themselves upon whom they depended for assistance, strength and relief. Thus, fear and curiosity are the main factors responsible for the emergence of religious tendency in ancient people. They also believed that this unseen and invisible power would be helpful in their birth, sorrow, old age and finally in obtaining salvation. They sometimes conceived God as their object of love. Thus, in order to meet their ignorance and to get strength and courage to face natural calamities, men time and again depended on an imaginary existence, the result of which is named “God” in religion.

Definition of Religion

Religion is a cultural institution and is an instrument, for the satisfaction of needs. Religion comprises those aspects of our behavioral complexes that are organized around beliefs, in spiritual or super natural beings. Two concepts that are important in the definition of religion are the supernatural and the sacred. The concept of the super natural is basic and crucial in the definition of religion. The supernatural beings are of three main internal differentiate categories, God, spirits and ghosts. However, will be discussing only God. The great and supreme God is believed to have created the universe and control all that is in it. God, who is considered all powerful, rules the world from above and is accessible to believers. God is generally believed to rule from the sky where he resides. He is approached through intermediaries. Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist defines religion as a “unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden -- beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them." The French sociologist Emile Durkheim stated that religion involves “things that surpass the limits of our knowledge”. We define most objects, events, or experiences as profane (from Latin, meaning “outside the temple”), included as an ordinary element of everyday life. People understand profane things in terms of their everyday usefulness: We log on to the Internet with our laptop or turn a key to start our car. But we also consider some things sacred, set apart as extraordinary, inspiring awe and reverence, for example Jews believe that the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament) is sacred, in the same way that Christians revere the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and Muslims exalt the Qur’an (Koran). Setting the sacred apart from the profane is the essence of all religious belief. What is sacred we reverently set apart from daily life, giving it a “forbidden” or “holy” aura. Marking the boundary between the sacred and the profane, for example, Muslims remove their shoes before entering a mosque to avoid defiling a sacred place with soles that have touched the profane ground outside. The sacred is embodied in ritual, or formal, ceremonial behavior.

Key Concepts

Following are the key concepts in religion

Totem

Totem, an object in the natural world collectively defined by people of society as sacred. The totem—perhaps an animal or an elaborate work of art—becomes the centerpiece of ritual, symbolizing the power of society over the individual. In our society, the flag is treated with respect and is not used in a profane way (say, as clothing) or allowed to touch the ground. In studying religion, sociologists distinguish between what they term the experience, beliefs, and rituals of a religion. Religious experience: refers to the conviction or sensation that one is connected to “the divine.” This type of communication might be experienced when people are praying or meditating. Religious beliefs: specific ideas that members of a particular faith hold to be true, such as that Jesus Christ was the son of God, or believing in reincarnation. Another illustration of religious beliefs is that different religions adhere to certain stories of world creation. Religious rituals: are behaviors or practices that are either required or expected of the members of a particular group, such as Muslims pray five times a day or Christians make confessions.

Topic 2: Sociological Significance of Religion

Different kinds of social institutions such as, domestic, economy and politics have influence on religious institutions. But it is also true that these institutions are sometimes influenced by religious institutions. Hence, there are many sociological significances of religion.

Unity Lay Foundation for Humanitarian Activities

An important aspect of religion is prayer and different classes of people belonging to different castes of society assemble in religious institutions for performing prayer and worship. By these activities there forms common feelings which thereby further generate a common sentiments and fellowship amongst the worshipers of a particular religion. Sometimes it is found that the members of a particular religion unite together, and for the greater interest of the society they perform different humanitarian activities. It is evident that religious institutions perform not only their religious activities, they also perform different activities related to social welfare such as, charitable hospitals, schools, homes for the homeless. These institutions also run orphanages and collect money for the poor people.

Religious Rites as Mean of Getting Almighty’s Blessings

Different activities of the people and their different spheres of social life are still influenced by religious rites and ceremonies. People generally express their religious feelings through rituals and ceremonies. Not only in primitive societies but also in modern societies religious activities occupy an important place. Religious rites are performed on different important social occasions such as, birth, marriage, harvesting, hunting, death etc. Similar activities are found in the events related with economic life also. In almost all communities’ religious rites are common practices during various occasions in economic life such as, inauguration of a new building, oath taking etc. For example, Recitation of Quran before inauguration ceremonies in Islam and worshiping in Hinduism, holding holy books while taking oaths.