Emilile Durkheim's View Of Religion

The assigned reading expressed the views of three different people. Their views were all in relation to religion. One of the people mentioned in the reading is Emilie Durkheim, his thoughts all focus on supporting his claim that religion’s purpose in society is to create and reinforce the collective bond. Durkheim basically is alluding to religion being the glue that holds society together. Like Durkheim, I agree that religion is the glue that holds society together. Religion, from my perspective, shapes many of the world’s political views as well as how we interact within society. Durkheim also had some opinions on the shift of religion, which in many ways correlate with the data found in figures 1 and 2. Although this data suggests a dramatic
decline in the Christian population, it does not account for the impact that Christianity still and will hold on society. A Christian is a follower and believer in Jesus Christ. The values and beliefs of true Christians are supported and substantiated by the words found in the pages of inspiration, The Holy Bible. These beliefs and values are what shapes the bond mentioned in Durkheim’s theory.
Society’s moral conscience and many of the laws prior to 2015 were made based on religious principles. It is only when people incorrectly quote and interpret the Bible that the world is presented with theories such as that of Karl Marx. He believed the purpose of religion is to serve as the interest of the ruling class. Marx theory does support the actions of slave owners, but it does not reflect the views of GOD. The Bible clearly teaches against such beliefs. In Matthew 19:24 the Bible states, “it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of GOD”. Also in Matthew 21:12-13, the Bible again outlaws the use of religion for personal gain. The belief in GOD and Jesus Christ is not something meant to be exploited for personal gain or wealth. Christianity is not a marketing tool, but according to Max Weber, religion is the building block of capitalism. Weber also theorizes that every person on the Earth has a purpose prearranged by GOD. I agree with Weber on this. The Bible says that he has given each person a gift but that not all individuals received the same gift Romans
12:3-8. However, the Bible does not support the claim of predestination, which is another point that Weber made. Weber believed that each person had been predestined to Heaven or hades. He said that one’s predestined status could be revealed by his or her wealth.
In his mind, wealthy people were the people that were going to Heaven. Weber’s ideas were in complete contrast to those of Marx. Where Marx views stood on the side of oppression, Weber’s views stood on the side of a revolution. Weber deduced that if religious ideas were shared by enough people it would change the course of history. This in some way aligns with the data found in figures 3 and 4, which shows an increased number of Muslim believers within the population. Having more people that believe the views of Muslims would result in an alteration in history. Realistically, as stated before, there may be more Islamic believers, but Christianity will remain the leader in influence. With all the negative connotation about Islamic believers, I highly doubt America’s leading religion would be Islam. September 11, 2001, had an enormous impact on the views Americans have towards people who practice the beliefs of Muslims. I recently interviewed someone who practiced Hinduism, and she said the greatest misconception about her religion is that it is the same as Muslims. She said that people often assume that since Muslims and Hindus look the same, they believe the same things. I think this misconception reveals a lot about
society. Repeatedly people judge and form opinions on things they lack actual knowledge about. Like, Durkheim, Weber, and Marx, who proceeded to form opinions on religion’s purpose in society, without having actual knowledge of what religion is. Religion is a system of common beliefs and rituals centered on “sacred things” that unites believers and provides a sense of meaning and purpose. One cannot simply group all religions together as one and provide an accurate analysis of how it functions in society. Everyone does not believe in the same religion and therefore all religions are not based on the same things. The person I interviewed had some similarities with my Christian beliefs, but there were also some key differences that would not allow for a consensus of all religion. She and I both believe in a purpose, but in addition to a purpose, she also believes that people should do good so that good will come back to them. As a Christian, I do not believe in this, the Bible states in Luke 6:31-35, being kind to one another is mandatory and one should not look for anything in return. I do good to others because GOD has blessed me so that I can do good things, my blessing is being able to give to others; it is not doing good so that GOD will bless me. Another major difference between the religion I practice and the religion she practices, is what her and I beliefs are based on. My beliefs are based on GOD’s word, the Bible, her beliefs are based on life experience, things taught in the temple, and things her mom told her. For Durkheim, Marx, and Weber not to consider the differences within individuals’ religious beliefs, was a disservice to society. Religion is a subject that many people like to debate, however few of these people are qualified to do so. Towards the end of the assigned reading, the writer of the textbook highlighted some of the flaws in Durkheim’s, Marx’s, and Weber’s theories. Many of the writer’s points were similar to the ones I stated previously. The writer and I both agree, Marx’s opinion that religion’s function in society is to oppress individuals, is false. I propose, if individuals and sociologists, would research or inquire about a subject before forming an opinion about a subject that their work would have a more impactful and positive effect on society. Instead of simply collecting a census and converting the data into a graph, like the sociologist who created figures 1-4 appeared to do, people should spend time within the society or take part in the subject they are formulating opinions on.