Religion as a Group Phenomenon - Essay Example

So religion, in a sense, is depended upon certain social relation. Religion is a group phenomenon, which has grounds on sacredness. Religion is a sacred phenomenon followed by a group of people, unlike sect. Religion is a group phenomenon which comprises more than two persons who have constructed a certain pattern of sacred interaction. This group has common goals and is directed by shared norms and every member has a particular role to play, which functions collectively to form a religious system.

The people in a religion share the same beliefs, values, norms, perspectives, technique and means to achieve their goals. 2. What is the church-sect theory? Church-sect theory is one of the significant middle-range theories that the sociology of religion can contribute to. Although the words “church” and “sect” are more mentioned by church historians, the real credit for its exploration can be offered to Max Weber. The church-sect theory has been greatly helpful in understanding the development of many twentieth century sects developed, including charismatic and Pentecostal groups.

When defining the church-sect theory, it can be said that church is a religious group which embraces the social environment in which it exists. On the other hand, a sect denounces the social environment in which it is existent. Church is organization which has ancient investment and a complex infrastructure. As these churches mature, they become more centralized and tend to form a hierarchical administration that depends on professionals such as educated ministers and administrators who are specialized and theologians to supervise the religious activities.

Although the term “sect” has played a role in both sociology and political arena at the hands of many theorists and sociologists, its primary connection has been with church sect. 3. How does one become religious? So far one of the best ways to turn religious is to be raised by a religious family. To be born in a religious family is a safe way to become religious and also allows the fundamentalists and sects to remain in a confined boundary. However, many a times children are forced to follow a particular religion because their parents have chosen to have one.

Until one individual is of mature age and has the capacity to think for oneself, his prospects of being religious are in a dwindling stage. Once people become adult, they have the understanding and right to choose whichever religion appeals to them. However, it may be rather difficult to convert a person who is not vulnerable in nature. The people normally become religious when they are convinced by the principles and laws of a particular religious .The conversion of religion in a person is changeable according to the personality of such person.

When one individual identifies oneself with the ideology and principles of a religion, he gets convinced with the religion and gets involved with it. Being religious is only possible if one person has conditioning attitude as people who are obstinate hardly get influenced by the ideas and principles of a particular religion. 4. Why is there religious conflict? In order to perceive the religious conflict, one must primarily understand that every person has unique personality, experience and religious experience.

When these complex personalities belonging to various geographic setting interact to evolve by religious standards, then they bring out different religion experience with social expressions. This feature of human beings is inevitable and this aspect is reflected in all the social relationships he is involved with. Since