Introduction on Sociology of Religion Religion has always been one of the most significant institutions in human civilization, shaping moral codes, cultural values, and collective identities. Yet, in the contemporary era marked by rationalization, globalization, and secularization, religion faces new challenges and transformations. The sociology of religion studies this dynamic relationship between faith and society … Read more
Introduction Religion has been one of the most powerful forces in shaping societies, cultures, and civilizations throughout history. While religion often provides moral guidance, a sense of belonging, and a framework for values, it can also be the source of conflict, intolerance, and rigid dogmas. One of the most debated phenomena in sociology is religious … Read more
Religion has always been more than a matter of private belief; it often shapes collective life, moral boundaries, and national identity. From the rise of ancient empires to the modern nation-state and plays an active role in the Religion in Public Sphere—a domain where citizens deliberate, express values, and negotiate the norms that govern society. … Read more
Introduction on Secularization and Secularism in Indian Experience Secularization and secularism are closely related yet distinct concepts that play a vital role in shaping modern societies. Secularization broadly refers to the historical and sociological process through which religion loses its influence over various spheres of life—politics, education, law, and culture. Secularism, in contrast, is a … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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