Components of Religion
Religion is a set of beliefs and practices that links humanity to the supernatural world. Durkheim produced one of the most profound works upon religion in the history of religion. Religion has a significant contribution to family happiness, spiritual well-being, and physical health, and it cannot be neglected. Currently, religious diversity and misunderstanding have contributed to wars and hatred in the world. The conflict between science and religion has cast many people in total darkness on the meaning of life. Durkheim identified religion as a product of the social system that brings people together rather than the common belief that religion is supernaturally inspired.
According to Durkheim, religion provides social control and cohesion (Fish, 2017). However, in the present world, religion has interfered with how individuals related to one another. Also, religion has become a barrier to how states interact with another, hence affecting overall economic growth. Different religious groups in the world have different beliefs and practices. For instance, Christians hold that God’s supernatural power and grace control all the activities in the world. However, this is different among the atheists who do not believe in the existence of supernatural powers. Recently, conflicts between affiliated Christian states and affiliated Islamic states have been experienced. The religious disputes arise due to a lack of understanding of religion. By understanding Durkheim concepts of religion, religious conflicts can be brought to natural death. Durkheim concept that religion is not supernaturally inspired is key in solving religious conflicts.
Religious beliefs are one of the central agencies of morality in society. Social values are essential in the quest of making the world a better place of living. Both the youth and adults have lost their moral values because they have rejected their religion. Every religion emphasizes the importance of social values (Mestrovic, 2017). Bribery and corruption vices among the leaders have negatively affected the economy. Some of the leaders are selfish and are after their gains rather than helping the people who elected them to their offices. Drug abuse and sexual immorality have caused numerous deaths. Discrimination and racism cases have become rampant in the current world. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened. The less fortunate members of society have been neglected. Durkheim viewed religion as a tool for solidarity. If people can understand the role of religion in creating a united world, the poor in society would not be neglected as currently being witnesses. Every religion encourages believers to uphold the values of honesty and transparency. Neglection of faith has therefore contributed to immorality and selfishness in society.
Animism and naturism are common religious beliefs. Animism is the belief that living human beings are connected to the dead. The believers of animism argue that universal phenomenon such as dreams justifies their belief that the living is linked to the dead. According to animism, the dead visits people when they are sleeping and brings dreams to them to warn them of incoming dangers. Therefore, according to the animism perspective, religion originated from ancestral powers, who controls the affairs of human beings. The worship of nature is referred to as naturism. Durkheim rejected both animism and naturism beliefs because they failed to explain the difference between the profane and sacred (Santos & Valle, 2019). Durkheim considered religion as an interrelationship between the sacred and the profane. Sacred refers to the things that are set apart by human beings for religious purpose. Beliefs, rites, and religious worship places are sacred. Durkheim explanation of sacred thus explains why we have churches and mosques. On the other hand, profane includes everyday utilitarian activities. Both sacred and profane depend on one another. The aspects of social life contribute to beliefs, which results in a united society.
According to Durkheim, disciplinary, cohesive, vitalizing, and euphoric are the major functions of religion (Rosati, 2016). Religion should impose self-discipline to men and prepare them for future social life through rituals. Therefore, the Christian teaching that sex before marriage is a sin is in line with the Durkheim concept of the disciplinary function of religion. In cohesive function, religion should unite and bring people together. The concept explains why religious functions are witnessed in the day to day activities in society. The vitalizing function of religion ensures that the religious beliefs of a particular group are transmitted from one generation to another. The euphoric function of religion explains why believers tend to seek spiritual advice when they are faced by challenges in this world full of problems.
In conclusion, religion plays an essential role in the process of making the world a better place for living. Both physical health and family happiness are determined by faith. Generally, many people view religion as a link between humankind and the supernatural world. The general view of religion has resulted in religious conflicts and the degradation of moral values. Durkheim views religion as a product of a social system rather than supernaturally inspired. According to Durkheim, successful interaction between the sacred and profane results in solidarity and unity in society.
References
Fish, J. S. (2017). Defending the Durkheimian tradition: Religion, emotion and morality. Routledge.
Mestrovic, S. (2017). Durkheim and postmodern culture. Routledge.
Rosati, M. (2016). Ritual and the sacred: a neo-Durkheimian analysis of politics, religion and the self. Routledge.
Santos, T. R., & Valle, I. R. (2019). Sacred and profane in the pedagogical thought of Emile Durkheim. Educação e Pesquisa, 45.