The Impact Sociological Theories Have on Religion

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The Impact Sociological Theories Have on Religion Sociological theories are usually constructed from ideas of early sociologist through scientific research in regards to developing a better understanding of how our social world operates. By gaining this type of knowledge, sociologist can better explain (to those who are interested) the social world that we have grown accustom to, as well as make predictions of how the social world will develop and function in the future. Three are three major categories that are classified under sociological theories: functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction theory. All three of these theories are known to have an impact on social institutions such as families, healthcare, religion, education, mass-media, politics, and economics. The primary focus of this research paper is to assess how the three major sociological theories have influence on religion. Functionalism is a structural-consensus perspective that views society as a system (Stevens, 2008). One of the benefits for functionalism is that can be correlated in almost every kind of system, especially a system that is created for the power of integration, socialization, and legitimization for society. Religion is something that provides individuals with particular morals, values, and guidance to venture through life. Religion is an institution that can provide stability for societies through various religious concepts, and is substantial for the support of social cohesion and order. Many functionalist theories of religion, for example, claim that religion functions in such a way as to integrate societies (McCauley, 1984). There are many types of religion that people practice world-wide such as Christianity, Catholi... ... middle of paper ... ...uis, Missouri: McGraw-Hill . Schaub, E. L. (1920, July). A Sociological Theory of Knowledge. The Philosopical Review, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 319-339. Duke University Press on behalf of Philosophical Review. Stevens, W. J. (2008, February 4). Religion: A Functionalist Assessment. Retrieved from Helium.com: http://www.helium.com/items/841304-religion-a-functionalist-assessment Svensson, I. (2007, December). Fighting with Faith: Religion and Conflict Resolution in Civil Wars. The Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 51, No. 6, pp 930-949. Sage Publication, Inc. Wimberley, D. W. (1989, Spring). Religion and Role-Identity: A Structural Symbolic Interactionist Conceptualization of Religiosity. The Sociological Quarterly Vol. 30, No 1. pp 125-142. Blackwell Publishing. Unknown. (n.d.). Retrieved from Forum for Relgion og Identitet: http://identitetogsamfunn.blogspot.com/

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