This document discusses sociological perspectives on religion. It outlines several key approaches: the social conflict approach views religion as maintaining social inequality; the social constructionist approach sees religion as explanations for society formed by people rather than supernatural beings; functionalism argues religion serves important functions like social cohesion; and the social psychological approach views religion as answering existential questions. It also briefly describes some major world religions, characteristics of religion, and relationships between religion and factors like gender, suicide, and society.

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Presented By: Palistha Saiju
Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, Sallaghari, Bhaktapur

3. Definition
 The sociology of religion is the study of mutual
interaction of religious and other institutions.
 Religion has been derived from word ‘Religare”
which means to bind.
 Peoples organized response or attitude towards
super natural structure or power.
 Response to the awe-inspiring extra ordinary
manifestation of reality.
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4.  Social conflict approach is rooted in Marx's analysis of
capitalism.
 Religion plays important role in maintaining the status
quo
 Highlights how religion maintains social inequality by
providing a worldview that justifies oppression
(bourgeoisie and proletariat)
 Religion as an opium and puts fog in the eye of general
people,
Social conflict 4

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Social conflict

6.  Presents religion as naturalistic explanation of the
origin of the religion.
 Berger led the framework for this approach.
 Religion is not created by or for supernatural beings
but rather is the result of societies explaining certain
elements of society as sacred.
 Religion emerged as the necessity for the preservation
of society.
Social Constructionist 6

7.  Functionalism is rooted in Emile Durkheim’s work on
religion (In his Book: An elementary form of religious
life)
 Argued that religion is the celebration and self worship
of human society.
 Religion 3 main function in society:
-Social cohesion
-Social control
-Providing meaning and purpose
Functionalism 7

8.  Religion exists because it answers existentential
questions that are difficult and impossible to address
scientifically.
 Science- unable to address higher purpose in life other
than simply to reproduce or exist.
Social Psychological 8

9.  Hinduism- infinite manifestation of god
 Buddhism- believes no deity or god exist
 Islam- devoted to one transcendent god
 Christianity - one infinite and personal god
Major Religions of the World 9

10.  It is one of the strong social institutions.
 Religion binds according of EMILE DURKHEIM.
 All the religious seeks for purity of lineage.
 All the religion has certain rules for worship.
 All the religion seeks to flourish art and architecture.
 Religion defines what is sacred and profane.
 Religion upholds social norms.
 Godly power surmounts Devil power.
Characteristics of Religion 10

11.  Reverence towards supernatural being
 Purity of lineage
 Animism, Monotheism or polytheism
 Sacred Vs. Profane
 Method of salvation
 Place of worship
 Provision of fetishism
Components of Religion 11

12. Women tend to be more religious than that of men. They
tend to attend service more often, are more likely to
belief in supernatural concept and are more likely to
report a religious affiliation
Religion and Gender 12

13. Emile Durkheim wrote a famous book “Suicide” in 1897
that religious group have less suicidal cases in comparison
to anti religious group i.e. Catholic ethics and protestant
ethics
Religion and Suicide 13

14.  First sense of community with mutual experience with
each other.
 Religion determines social change.(peace, harmony,
social order)
 Agent of social control.
 Creates social unity, identity, harmony, and social
solidarity.
 Promote social welfare and recreations.
Religion and Society 14

15.  Self importance of knowing thyself.
 Encompasses superstitious beliefs, evil practices,
undermining human potentiality.
 Retardation of social progress and over idealism for
spirituality that hinders social progress.
Religion and Society 15

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Bibliography
 https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundle
ss-sociology-textbook/socialization-4/agents-of-
socialization-46/religion-288-10196/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociology_of_religion#Vie
w_of_religion_in_classical_sociology
 https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-
guides/sociology/religion/sociological-theories-of-
religion

17. ANY QUERIES!!!
THANK YOU!!!
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