Social Organization of Religion - Essay Example

It is very difficult for us to realize the real essence of religion. What does it mean to be religious nowadays? Why do we need to go to church, or in what other ways is it possible to confirm one’s aspiration to be a religious person? From the perspective of sociologists, all answers to these questions can be found in the ordinary behavior of people in their daily lives. For example, it is ordinary for people to follow the behaviors of others. Thus, they follow other people’s beliefs and religion is a favorable basis for the unification of people. Moreover, it performs a pacifying function in society; it instills hope in people’s hearts and exerts a much more positive influence on individuals. Nevertheless, there are negative outcomes of religion, when people are involved in different sectarian developments or when they are ready to give all their money to churches for charity. Religion has exceeded its limits as of a spiritual basis for people’s development. It turned into a global machine, which requires people’s money for fake hopes and beliefs. A sociological root of religion is presented to people on TV or in magazines, online, or broadcast on the radio. Still, no one knows where to find the truth and what is the real essence of modern religion.

1. Why is religion a group phenomenon?

The group spirit of religion can be interpreted from the perspective of humanity’s desire to be together with other people and follow a so-called spirit of the herd. The sociological aspect of religion can clarify numerous aspects of this global phenomenon. For example, religion is often correlated with supernatural phenomena and people are often afraid of the unknown. Thus, their belief in God is often considered to be a strong power, which helps them live their lives. Moreover, there is an evident blending of real phenomena and imaginative divinities. The real-life of humans is compared with the lives in Heaven or Hell. Social events and phenomena are correlated with religious practices and religious followers explicate their real-life habits in their imaginative lives after death or in the religious context. Therefore, religion unites people. It makes their lives easier and the problems seem to be very easy for them.

2. What is the church-sect theory?

Sectarian developments are very popular nowadays. It is difficult to imagine, but people give their money, property, and all things they have to the sects. To understand a strong background of this type of movement, it is relevant to refer to church-sect theory, which cedes on religious popularity, cults and sects widespread, and the overall nature of religious influence exerted on racial, gender, or sexuality issues. Moreover, the media of the modern culture defines certain stereotypes of sectarian movements, which are good-natured and attractive to their contemporaries. Current media are properly studied with great interest by modern researchers and it is often claimed that there is one of the greatest influences exerted on contemporaries using media. Therefore, sectarian developments are strong enough in case they have a reliable supportive background and a manner of influencing other people. The contemporaries can follow fake triggers of the sectarian developments and very often they are ready to give their money and to be closer to them.

3. How does one become religious?

Becoming religious means getting involved with religion. Current religious themes on TV evoke numerous talks and different opinions among different people. That is why one becomes religious if he looks for an answer in the Bible or any other Holy Book. Religion performs a certain function for the individual in society. Humans make their own choices in their lives, but they are often led by religious triggers. Moreover, it can be said that to be religious means much more than having a strong belief in God or any other divine phenomena. It means following religious rituals and traditions. Individuals in modern society are lacking a strong stimulus for their development. Thus, being religious means being self-confident and dependent on religious beliefs and traditions.

4. Why is there religious conflict?

Religious conflict occurs as the result of positioning religion in the modern context as a market field. Sectarian developments, the financial affairs of churches, and many other non-religious activities of churches are often criticized. Modern religion is a powerful machine for earning money for the almighty people of the modern world. The market behavior of people is often correlated with their religious behavior. Religious values have turned into market goods. There is a mismatch between the concepts of faith rationality and the irrationality of religion. Beliefs and rituals of religion can be compared with phenomena from real life. People apply for religion in case they want to make their real lives easier and more comprehensible. In terms of the sociological paradigm, it is evident that actual social events are often interpreted about religion. Therefore, religion should be considered in a sociological context. Read More