Durkheim, Weber, And Geertz On Religion

Explain the perspectives of Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Geertz on religion. Which one do you think best captures the role, the function of religion on human life, and why? Durkheim’s social view of religion focuses on what is sacred (holy) and profane (unholy) which is expressed through religious rituals. A ritual is an “act or series of acts regularly repeated over years or generations that embody the beliefs of a group of people and create a sense of continuity and belonging” (Guest, 2018 p.36). Durkheim noticed at the start of the industrial age people starting exhibiting anomie and wondered how this problem will be solved. Anomie occurs when an individual is alienation due to the loss or disruption of social bonds and group values. Religion
Religion is a guise used by people in power to maintain the status quo and justifies how the world ‘ought to be”. The religious world is dependent on the real world and cannot be maintained without it. Religion supposed to serve as a guide to interpret behavior. However, the proletariat did not use their reasoning and let religion become the truth of their reality, the pain reliver to their inequality. No one questions their quality of life since it is not in their control, it’s in God’s hand. Religion then became their escape from daily life. Religion, just like other social institutions, is dependent on economics. Marx’s view fit best within the definition of religion. Durkheim view on religion best captures the social function of religion. Durkheim’s view involves looking at religion within the context of the entire society. Religion help solidify and maintain society through the reinforcement of group solidarity. Religion creates a cohesive group of people who may have initially had different interest and aspiration that were in direct conflict with the religion. Religion makes a society legitimate once there is a guideline for values and
The quality of healthcare one receives is correlated to socioeconomic status and race. Black and Hispanic groups have higher rates of poverty and usually do not have access to good or any health insurance. Since going to the hospital is expensive, most will not go until serious conditions arise. Also, most minority group members do not trust doctors and have an external locus of control; they believe they have no control over their health, it’s up to God. It is more expensive to buy healthy food and individuals with low incomes cannot afford the best food or may not have the education on cheaper alternatives. Whites have better access to private health insurance and use preventive services more often. Individuals with private insurance usually receive referrals to a place that can help them faster, instead of the doctor ignoring the issue. Individuals with Medicaid are only accepted by certain doctors and often do not have one close to them. If white and nonwhite groups have the same level of insurance, they will receive different treatments due to cultural stereotypes professionals