Religion in Social Sciences

How is religion understood in the social sciences?

What are the two ways to define religion from a social scientific perspective?

According to Emile Durkheim, how is religion defined?

The substantive definition of religion includes all belief systems, such as Confucianism and Buddhism.

What does the Latin word 'religare' mean?

What is one function of religion in society according to the content?

Religion permeates life in numerous ways: family, school, social circles, and media
Within social sciences, religion is understood as a socially constructed reality
Religion is shaped by the interaction of human agents (leaders, followers, activists, innovators, and non-believers) and their sociohistorical contexts
Beliefs and practices are not a result of divine revelation

Defining Religion

Substantive definition:
- Religion involves beliefs and practices that assume the presence of supernatural beings
- Limited as supernatural beings are not always present in some belief systems (i.e., Confucianism and Buddhism)
Functional definition:
- More concerned with the social consequences of religion
- French sociologist Emile Durkheim defines religion as a “unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things…that unite into one single moral community”
Religion comes from the Latin word religare, meaning "to bring together", and relegere, meaning "to rehearse painstakingly" (as in the case of collective rituals).

Explore the multifaceted role of religion in social sciences, highlighting its influence on family, school, and social interactions. Understand definitions of religion, both substantive and functional, and how these concepts interact with cultural contexts. Discover the significant contributions of key sociologists like Emile Durkheim.