Sociology of Religion

Secularization and Secularism in European Experience: A Sociological Perspective

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Secularization and Secularism in European Experience: A Sociological Perspective

Introduction The relationship between religion and society has undergone a profound transformation in Europe over the past five centuries. From the dominance of the medieval Church to the Enlightenment’s rationalism, the Reformation’s fragmentation, and the modern pluralist democratic state, Europe has been a primary site for studying secularization and secularism. These two concepts, while related, … Read more

Religious Conversion in Sociological Aspect

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Religious Conversion in Sociological Aspect

Introduction Religious conversion is one of the most fascinating and contested phenomena within the study of religion and society. It refers to the process of changing one’s religious affiliation, belief system, or spiritual orientation from one tradition to another. Sociologically, it is not merely a personal or spiritual experience but also a social act, shaped … Read more

Religious Movements in Sociological Aspect

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Theories of Social Movement: A Sociological Perspective

Religion has always played a central role in shaping human societies, cultures, and worldviews. Beyond individual faith, it operates as a collective phenomenon that influences identity, morality, and social organization. Within sociology, religion is often examined not only as a belief system but also as a social institution that produces collective action, cohesion, and sometimes … Read more

Church, Sect, Denomination and Cult in Sociological Aspect

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To better understand religious organizations, scholars have classified them into different types: church, sect, denomination, and cult. Each of these forms

Religion has always been a significant institution in society, shaping culture, morality, and social behavior. Sociologists study religion not just as a set of beliefs but as a social institution that influences and is influenced by economic, political, and cultural forces. To better understand religious organizations, scholars have classified them into different types: church, sect, … Read more

R N Bellah on Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion: A Sociological Perspective

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R N Bellah on Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion: A Sociological Perspective

Introduction on R N Bellah on Contemporary Approaches Religion, as a deeply rooted social phenomenon, has long occupied a central place in sociology. Robert Neelly Bellah (1927–2013), one of the leading intellectuals who transformed the study of religion in the modern era, is notable for his complex, historically informed, and multidisciplinary methodology. Bellah’s contributions stretch … Read more

Peter L Berger on Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion: A Sociological Perspective

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Peter L Berger on Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion: A Sociological Perspective

Introduction on Peter L Berger on Contemporary Approaches Religion has been one of the central concerns of sociology since its inception. Thinkers like Émile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber laid the classical foundations for studying religion as a social phenomenon. However, in the twentieth century, Peter L Berger (1929–2017) emerged as one of the … Read more

Clifford Geertz on Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion: A Sociological Analysis

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Clifford Geertz on Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Religion: A Sociological Analysis

Introduction on Clifford Geertz on Contemporary Approaches Religion has been one of the most significant and complex domains of sociological inquiry. From the classical works of Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber, religion has been examined through lenses of ideology, social solidarity, and meaning-making. However, in the second half of the 20th century, a … Read more

Marxian Approach to Study of Religion: A Sociological Perspective

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Secularization and Secularism in European Experience: A Sociological Perspective

Introduction on Marxian Approach Religion has long been a subject of deep sociological inquiry. Thinkers from different schools of thought have analyzed religion’s origins, role, and impact on society. Among them, Karl Marx provided one of the most critical and influential perspectives. His approach to religion was deeply rooted in his broader theoretical framework of … Read more

Weberian Approach to Study of Religion in Sociological Aspect

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Weberian Approach to Study of Religion in Sociological Aspect

Introduction on Weberian Approach Religion has always been a central theme in sociology, shaping societies and influencing individual lives across history. Among the classical sociologists, Max Weber provided a distinctive approach to the study of religion, which differed from the earlier perspectives of Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim. While Marx viewed religion largely as an … Read more

Functional Approach to the Study of Religion in Sociological Aspect

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Secularization and Secularism in European Experience: A Sociological Perspective

Introduction Religion has long been central to sociology, not as a matter of divine truth but as a social institution that influences human behavior, relationships, and culture. The functional approach to the study of religion examines religion in terms of the roles it performs for individuals and society rather than its theological content. This approach … Read more