Religion a Sociological Approach

To understand the sociological approach to religion and how it differs from other approaches we need to know some certain facts about sociology. We need to understand the characteristics of sociology so that we can align religion within those characteristics. Then we need to compare those characteristics to other concepts to confirm that sociological approach is the method of approach we wish to use. We shall compare the sociological approach to the anthropological and psychological approaches.

The definition of sociology most dictionaries use is; the study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society. For the purpose of religion we will look at religion through the institution view. Even though the choice of religion is ultimately an individual matter it is these groups of individuals that make up the religion.

We now have the definition of sociology and have decided that we will look at it as an institution we shall break it down even further. A quick interpretation of what an institution is that it consists of a group of people. Most Sociologist identify a group as having six major characteristics they are:

• A group is composed of two or more people (members) who have established certain patterns of interaction

• Group members share certain common goals

• A group is guided by shared norms

• Every group member has a role

• A group functions collectively in accordance with a status system

• Group members feel and express a sense of identification with the group.

(Johnstone, 2007, p.9-10)

As we can see from these characteristics, religion hits most of these wickets. We can now align religion within these characteristics.

The first characteristic of a group of two or more with a pattern of interaction can be seen associated with religion by how people gather to worship. This is evident in several different faiths such as Catholics attending Sunday mass in churches, Muslims attending Friday sermons at a mosque and Jews worshiping at a synagogue on a Saturday.

Group members share certain common goals is the second characteristic. In religion this is seen as members all believing in their god, the after life or what have you.

Our third characteristic is a group is guided