Chapter 10 – Religion
Durkheim defined religion as a “unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things.” It is a
collective act that includes many forms of behaviors in which people interact with others. Sociologists
are interested in the social impact of religion on individuals and institutions.
Durkheim suggested that religious faiths distinguish between certain transcending events (sacred), and
the everyday world (profane). The sacred encompasses elements beyond everyday life that inspire awe,
respect, and even fear. It also involves the completion of certain rituals such as prayers and sacrifices.
The same object can be either sacred or profane depending on how it is viewed.
Sociology study’s the norms and the values of a religious faith, as well as the social functions if fulfill.
World Religions
Majority of the world’s population adheres to some form of religion. Christianity is the largest single
faith, followed by Islam. Both are monotheistic; both include a belief in prophets, an afterlife, and
judgment day. Both impose a moral code on believers that varies