Religion and Sociology
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Religion and Sociology
Introduction
Religion is a collection of specific beliefs and practices shared by a certain group of people. Sociology of religion entails the study of those religious beliefs and practices using the methodologies of sociology. On the other, spirituality refers to a personal relationship with God, gods, souls, demons, or the angels. Spirituality is centered on an individual and the practices of seeking peace, beliefs, meaning, and purpose of life, and connection with others. Religious beliefs and practices continue to dominate most of the conversations in modern society. This essay cross-examines the speeches of Jonathan Haidt and his Holiness Pope Francis and their views on the role of religion and society. Further, the discussion reveals that religion has influenced sociology in several aspects. Despite conflicts and divisions caused by religious groups in society, the essay shows that religion plays a critical role in binding members of society together and prompting them to affirm their common beliefs, values, and promoting individuals’ general well-being, families, and the community.
Part 1
In his (2012) talk on religion, evolution, and the ecstasy of self-transcendence, Jonathan Haidt noted that religion is responsible for making an individual self—transcend. “People seek peace, beliefs, meaning, the purpose of life, and connection with others (Jonathan, 2012). He says that though the secular society is designed in a way to satisfy the lower and profane selves of people, the main purpose is to “find the staircase amid all the clutter and then to do something good and noble once you climb to the top” (Jonathan, 2012). Although Jonathan is an atheist, he opines that religion encompasses psychological wisdom that can elevate human flourishing. According to Jonathan, human beings have a variety of religious experiences. The most common of the experiences is the self-transcendence, where human beings have feelings of being incorporated into something big, noble, and grand. Professor has perfectly used his field to invoke reason into the importance of using religion to heal human divisions, temper with hatred, and increase human wisdom and understanding. He suggests that religion should make people more compassionate towards one another.
It is worth to agree with Haidt’s thought of self—transcendence as a product of religion. Among the puzzles that ponder sociologists is how societies can cohere as they expand. There are risks of social conflicts and fragmentations, which poses a threat to social coherence. I suggest that transcendence comes from group-level selection, and it facilitates bonding among people. Engaging in collective rituals provokes an ecstatic atmosphere of equal excitement and effervescence as a whole (Eyvazi et al., 2018). The condition then brings alignment of emotional states and senses of belonging, and all people in the ritual are assimilated. The ritual becomes a form of social glue that aligns people’s feelings and emotions and allows society to function.
Shamanic religion played an important role in uniting the middle Paleolithic people. They developed singing, music, and dancing. When intensely performed, it resulted in trance-like states where they experienced other worlds and merged with others (Eyvazi et al., 2018). Religionist and doctrinal phases bond groups and restore social equilibrium through surges in endorphins released during trance. The building of sacred places of worship and employment of priests imams enhances attention, self-awareness, mediation, community cohesion, and capacity to tranced to ‘self.’ Religion should make people dissolve their ego and breakdown the boundaries that exist between them for something greater. It should encourage decreased self—salience and increase the sense of connectedness with other cosmos people.
Part 2
Religion shapes the discipline of sociology in two major ways. Sociology experts study religion in two forms, as a belief and a social institution. It is undeniable that not all religions share the same sets of beliefs. However, some sets are to be found in all human societies. Research has shown that even archaic societies in the middle age period had some forms of faith attributes. Therefore, religion continues to be a critical aspect of human experiences, and it dictates how individuals interact with one another and the environment in which they live (Eyvazi et al., 2018). “As a social institution, religion is a pattern of social action organized around the beliefs and practices that people develop to answer questions about the meaning of existence.”
When an individual examines religion from a sociologist’s perspective, what people believe about religion is not important. The vital aspect is the ability to analyze the facets of religion, objectively, and context (Creswell, 2015). For instance, sociology is employing religion in answering questions such as how are religious institutions organized, how religion affects change in society, how religious beliefs connect to race, age, gender, and educational institutions, and the influence of religion on other institutions in the society.
Religion is described as a collection of beliefs and practices shared by a certain community or group of individuals. Spirituality refers to a personal relationship with God, gods, souls, demons, or the angels. Spirituality is centered on an individual and the practices of seeking peace, beliefs, meaning, and purpose of life, and connection with others (Creswell, 2015). The topics of religion and spirituality continue to be debated among sociology, religion, and philosophy scholars. Some scholars and individuals tend to confuse between religion and spirituality. Other religions emphasize spirituality as an important part of faith (Creswell, 2015). The modern society engages in beliefs (religion) and uses them as the spirituals to seek solace and peace life (Eyvazi et al., 2018). They also use spirituality to release stress and emotions stress, gain perspectives about life, transcend to other levels, separate themselves from the material, and establish greater purposes, as suggested by Professor Jonathan.
Part 3
The Bishop of Rome had a gravitas to his audience on April 29, 2017. Pope Francis delivered a TED talk to both Catholics and non-Catholics from the city of Vatican. The people began with “Buonasera” in his 17-minute talk and followed up with “or good morning, I do not know what time it is there” (Pope Francis, 2017). The address’s opening remarks seem familiar as the Pope talks about his visits to the poor, seek, inmates in prison, the jobless youths, and his parents as immigrants from Argentina. The Pope asks, “I wonder why them and not me” (Francis, 2017). He appealed for love and inclusion by saying that human beings can build their future “by standing together, including everyone,” and “how wonderful would it be while we discover faraway planets, to discover the needs of the brothers and sister orbiting around us” (Pope Francis, 2017). while talking on the subject of Technology and innovation that he seems to direct to scientists, tech companies, innovators, politicians, artists, capitalists, and leaders of different institutions, the Pope suggests a high tech society that should be more inclusive and equal.
The message called for a “revolution of tenderness,” noting that “it is the love that comes close and becomes real. His Holiness demonstrated what the revolution would require. He said that people would need memory, courage, and creativity to do well (Pope Francis, 2017). The Pope noted that tenderness is fortitude and the sure path to solidarity and humility, not a sign of weakness as many people think. He called upon people with the power to be humble and responsible lest they ruined themselves and others. His Holiness points out that hope needs a single individual to exit, and that the individual can be you. He provides illuminating commentary on the earth as he calls for tenderness, equality, and solidarity to reign. The Pope gave a story of the Levite, the priest, and the Good Samaritan in the bible to illustrate religion’s role in helping the needy.
Religion plays an important role in uniting people and society. For a long time, religion has been a force for unity. For example, the word ‘Reliogio’ means ‘unity’ etymologically (Arsan, 2017). The connotation means religion has an obligation of binds people and communities together. A religion cannot exist if it cannot have this effect. Religious practices put up the community in churches, mosques, synagogues, and shrines. Religion also contributes to building more inclusive communities, neighborhoods, cities, states, and nations (Arsan, 2017). Research has revealed that individuals who are committed to certain religious beliefs are good citizens and good neighbors.
Religion also unites people as Communities with Faith gives their members the courage and strength to challenge social evils and injustices in the larger community. For example, Quakers, Unitarians, and Revivalist Protestants joined their efforts to stop the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (Creswell, 2015). Today, it would be difficult for someone to imagine a society without religion (Arsan, 2017). Religion is the best of the community to fight injustices as they organize their lives. Religion is a major contributor to social, psychological, material, and spiritual support for people and families. It does not only provide material resources for those in need and less advantaged, but it greatly unites people who seek to make sense and give their lives meaning (Creswell, 2015). Studies conducted in Algeria showed that religious people were more generous and contributed to charity and volunteered more than those who were not religious.
It is undeniable that religious and political conflicts continue to dominate most of the conversations in society today. However, the discussion shows the immense benefits of ascribing to religious beliefs and practices as they promote the general well-being of individuals, families, and the community. Both Jonathan and Pope Francis recognize the importance of a unified society and the well-being of its members. Adherence to religious teachings is highly linked to increased hope among people, healthy and stable families, strong marriages, well-behaved children, reduced corruption cases, crime, domestic violence, and improved physical and mental health.
TED Talk: Jonathan Haidt “Religion, Evolution, and the
Ecstasy of Self-Transcendence”
Source (http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_humanity_s_stairway_to_self_transcendence.html)
TED Talk: Jonathan Haidt “Religion, Evolution, and the
Ecstasy of Self-Transcendence”
Source (http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_humanity_s_stairway_to_self_transcendence.html)
References
Eyvazi, M. R., Babgoreh, S. H., & Mohammedi, A. (2018). The Sociological Approach to Religion.
Arsan, A. D. (2017). Religion in Today’s World: Global Issues, Sociological Perspectives. Chronology.
Jonathan Haidt. (2012). Jonathan Haidt: Religion, evolution, and the ecstasy of self-transcendence [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/2MYsx6WArKY
Pope Francis. (2017, April). Why the only future worth building includes everyone | Pope Francis [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/36zrJfAFcuc
Scott Creswell. (2015). The sociological approach to religion | Introduction to sociology. Lumen Learning – Simple Book Production. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/the-sociological-approach-to-religion/