Introduction to Sociology/Religion

1. Summary

 Sociologists study religion in the same way they study other social institutions, such as education and government. The best-known definition of religion is that the definition of religion depends on the distinction between divinity and profane. A second definition of religion among social scientists was the substitution of religion for existential questions. This definition casts religion from a functional perspective as it is seen as contributing to a specific purpose in society. A third sociological definition sees religion as the collective faith and consciousness of the supernatural-related group. The first type of religion is the church. Church classifications describe a religion that implies everything about religious expression in a society. It claims universality, includes all members of society belonging to the class, and tends to equate "citizenship" with "membership." Also, the church exercises religious monopoly rights and tries to eliminate religious competition, and allows diversity by creating different groups within the church, not the formation of a new religion. The church lies between the church and the sect of continuum. Churches arise when the church loses its religious monopoly in a society. A sect is a new religious group formed to protest the elements of their alma mater. A pseudo-religion, like a sect, is a new religious group. Unlike sects, however, it can be formed without breaking away from other religious groups. The most distinguishing feature between religion and sect is that it does not advocate a return to pure religion, but rather a embrace of something completely lost or forgotten. Pseudo-religion tends to produce more esoteric theology from many sources. The structural-functional approach to religion is rooted in Emil Dirkheim's study of religion. Durkheim argued that religion is, in a sense, celebration and even worshiping human society. The social conflict approach is rooted in Marx's capitalist analysis. According to Marx, religion plays an important role in maintaining the status quo. Marx argued that religion was, in fact, a tool of the bourgeois class to protect the content of the proletariat. The social constructor's approach to religion gives a naturalistic account of the origin of religion. In the framework of the social constructivism spirit, these elements of society appear to take on their own existence because they are objectified in society. Religious pluralism is the belief that religious differences between different religions and denominators within the same religion can be overcome. The primary social psychological reason for the continued existence of religion is that it answers existential questions that are not impossible but scientifically difficult to deal with.

2. Interesting

 I reminded of the controversial Shincheonji Church in Korea. Shincheonji is a Christian-related pseudo-church that took place in Korea. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the church held secret missionaries and meetings to make COVID-19 a craze in South Korea. According to the article, pseudo-churches tend to produce more esoteric theology from many sources. It was also interesting to note that the Sincheonji Church was in line with this article in that its leader had the theology of Second Coming Jesus.

3. Discussion

What is the impact of religion on our lives?

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