Sociological Approach To Study Religion
I feel a sociological approach is best when attempting to study religion. Religion, as understood by me, is the foundation of a society: it is the basis for laws, morals, and reflects in the culture and traditions of the society. Michael S. Northcott wrote that “religion unites the members of a society around a common symbolic account of their place in the cosmos, their history and purpose in the order of things...Religion is therefore a source of social moral order, binding the members of society to a common social project, a set of shared values and social goals,” (Northcott, pg.196). The sociological approach connects with the society when studying their religious background and less of the individual. I would argue that to better study
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Northcott writes at one point that, “The basic presupposition of the sociological perspective concerns the social structuring and construction of human experience and culture, including religion...Sociologists examine religious practices for evidence of their interrelationship with the institutions, structures, ideologies, and class and group distinctions of which societies are constituted,” (Northcott, pg. 193). To study a religion via the society, one must look at how it all functions together to work as one whole. “Instead of asking the question ‘Does God exist?’, the sociologist approaches religious behavior with questions... What features of religious belief and ritual are sustaining in particular life circumstances and why? What is the relationship between particular personal circumstances and social contexts and beliefs about God and gods? What influence do religious explanations of suffering have over social attempts to ameliorate suffering?” (Northcott, pg. 194). Religion is typically one of the biggest building blocks of a society. If we study this building block using a sociological approach with a functionalist view, we can be guaranteed that we will learn more about how religion shapes the entire society rather than about just their religious views. This later on can enable us to better understand a group of people, their history, their future, and also give us data to
Northcott writes at one point that, “The basic presupposition of the sociological perspective concerns the social structuring and construction of human experience and culture, including religion...Sociologists examine religious practices for evidence of their interrelationship with the institutions, structures, ideologies, and class and group distinctions of which societies are constituted,” (Northcott, pg. 193). To study a religion via the society, one must look at how it all functions together to work as one whole. “Instead of asking the question ‘Does God exist?’, the sociologist approaches religious behavior with questions... What features of religious belief and ritual are sustaining in particular life circumstances and why? What is the relationship between particular personal circumstances and social contexts and beliefs about God and gods? What influence do religious explanations of suffering have over social attempts to ameliorate suffering?” (Northcott, pg. 194). Religion is typically one of the biggest building blocks of a society. If we study this building block using a sociological approach with a functionalist view, we can be guaranteed that we will learn more about how religion shapes the entire society rather than about just their religious views. This later on can enable us to better understand a group of people, their history, their future, and also give us data to