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The study of sociology
Sociology and other social sciences
The study of sociology
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While studying sociology, a Christian must be aware of the risks to his personal beliefs while still learning the theories which will provide deeper insight into the scriptures. Sociology is focused on learning how humans and societal groups interact and influence one another. While studying how cultures can influence an individual, a Christian will be faced with conflicting beliefs and must decide whether his beliefs need to change or remain steadfast. Sociology also provides a deeper understanding of how characters in the Bible behaved and the underlying motives behind their actions. Through studying sociology, which is the study of how humans interact with the society around them, Christians can better understand the fallen nature of man …show more content…
As a Christian begins to delve into the field of sociology, there will be theories which do not agree with a biblical worldview but will still an aspect of society. One such theory is Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Herbert Spencer believed that Darwin’s Theory of Evolution aided in the explanation of how societies transform from simple to complex. However, as a Christian, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is contradictory to the creation of the universe in six days by God. While Darwin’s Theory of Evolution cannot be believed by a Christian, the idea of societies transitioning from simple to complex cannot be discounted. By studying sociology, a Christian will also encounter conflicts of personal convictions. By studying other cultures, beliefs held by a Christian will be questioned. An example of this would be an American Christian sociologist studying the Christian culture in India. In India, women will cover their heads with a head covering while praying to convey respect to God. However, in America, anyone wearing a head covering during prayer is considered disrespectful. The disagreement of extraneous Christian cultural beliefs can be dangerous to a Christian because it will cause the Christian to question his personal beliefs. If the Christian is not rooted in his faith, the questioning can lead to doubts about the faith or possible renunciation. While studying sociology, some Christians need to be aware of beliefs which conflict with the Bible and be understanding of key principles found in the
In Charles Darwin’s life he had helped make a significant advancement in the way mankind viewed the world. With his observations, he played a part in shifting the model of evolution into his peers’ minds. Darwin’s theory on natural selection impacted the areas of science and religion because it questioned and challenged the Bible; and anything that challenged the Bible in Darwin’s era was sure to create contention with the church. Members of the Church took offense to Darwin’s Origins of Species because it unswervingly contradicted the teachings of the book of Genesis in the Bible. (Zhao, 2009) Natural selection changed the way people thought. Where the Bible teaches that “all organisms have been in an unchanging state since the great flood, and that everything twas molded in God’s will.” (Zhao, 2009) Darwin’s geological journey to the Galapagos Islands is where he was first able to get the observations he needed to prove how various species change over t...
In the essay "Worldviews in Conflict," Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey compare and contrast the ideas of Christianity and the views of today's society. Throughout the essay they provide information about how the changes in society affect views regarding Christianity. Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcy's essay was written to contribute information so others could understand their views about the shifting cultural context and how it affects society's beliefs.
A sociologist should be able to observe and understand the realities of human behavior and the social settings in which it happens without being influenced emotionally or personally.
Social Darwinism is a quasi-philosophical, quasi-religious, quasi-sociological view that came from the mind of Herbert Spencer, an English philosopher in the 19th century. It did not achieve wide acceptance in England or Europe, but flourished in this country, as is true of many ideologies, religions, and philosophies. A good summary of Social Darwinism is by Johnson:
1. The study and science of Sociology is a comparitively new pursuit, as opposed to the general sciences such as physics, archeology and chemistry, that is now being used to explain and help improve our way of life and behaviour. Many benefits are derived from the study of sociology; understanding the social dynamics within communities or certain groups give clarity on why problems and conflicts arise within them, and how those can be solved, as well as impinging upon our individual day to day existence.
The theory of social darwinism was first introduced to the public[1] in “A Theory of Population, Deduced from the General Law of Animal Fertility”, an article by Herbert Spencer published in 1852. This work preceded the publishing of Darwin’s book by seven years, and “given the timing, it is curious that Darwin’s theory was not labeled ‘natural Spencerism’ instead of Spencer’s theory being labeled ‘social Darwinism.’”[2] Spencer’s article, though mainly focused on biology and the ways in which animal populations develop, does include an inkling of the social ideas he would later more fully examine. His main theory of population deals with survival of the fittest, a phrase he coins in this a...
Religions play a crucial role in impacting how adherents live their lives and their understanding of humanities enduring questions of life. Religion is an active system of faith. Christianity is a religion centred on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the bible. A living tradition is one that is active amongst followers in present society. Whereas a dynamic tradition is capable of adapting and amending in order to meet the needs of society. Christianity is formed as a living and dynamic tradition, which is defined by its distinct characteristics. Characteristics include, sacred texts and writings, rituals and ceremonies, beliefs and believers and ethics. Ultimately, Christianity is shaped as a living and dynamic tradition through the characteristics of religion’s impacts on adherents.
Sociology is something I didn’t know about until I took this class. This class introduced sociology to me. I learned about how society basically made boys supposed to like blue and girls supposed to like pink. Sociology is “the systematic or scientific study of human society and social behavior, from large-scale institutions and mass culture to small groups and individual interactions” (Ferris and stein 2014: p9). Sociology is not something you just learn when you are just born. You learn about sociology throughout your life. Sociology is displayed around things such as being around different environments, friends, and family. Education is a sociology idea that can examine a person’s class and schooling. The higher the education you have,
...nizable that the social issue can obtain social control. The social issue remains how society thinks about certain types of religions with based assumptions from sources such as the media. Using many of the solutions previously listed and further understanding of religion and the individual can bring us to obtain social control. How one comes to interpret such issues is influenced by the society and often leads to mistreatments. In relation to the article the lady felt as though it was herself against a group of people that is how it often is when people add race and ethnicity as sociological problems. Furthermore, it is imperative to understand that there is two ways view a religion from an outsider’s perspective. Essentially a religious follower is either laidback or ‘hardcore’ but both are committed to themselves and then to the religion in which they follow.
Sociology emerged from the desire of humans to understand our behaviour. However, throughout the years the way humans behave and believe has been passed through generations; and it was mainly explained in religious terms. The origins of sociology started with the social movements of the late XVIII century such as the French Revolution in 1789 and the subsequent Industrial Revolution in Europe. (Giddens, 1997)
To get a sense of this imperative role that religion plays in defining sociological behavior we need to take a look at the beginnings of modern academic sociology. We see that it began with analysis of religion, as seen in Emile Durkheim's work, who is a French sociologist that is credited with establishing the academic discipline. Some, such as Karl Max, saw that religion is a way strong of a tool that impairs social evaluation. Which resulted in ethnic and religious cleansing and furthermore proved to be the wrong approach to defining the role that religion plays in society's behavior.
When your faith is questioned by the society you live in and the very foundation of moral and values is shaken it is there was deep exploration of what you hold dear and true is necessary. Christianity and my culture heavily influence my understanding of sexuality. Concepts like submission to men and church, the women view as a mother and a very emotional being are common in my Hispanic culture and I grew up going along with them and viewing them as normal. However, my perspective changed radically after taking this course. The way I viewed myself as a female in regards to society, religion and culture took a 360-degree turn.
Sociologists develop theories to explain and analyze society at different levels and from different perspectives. Sociologists study everything from the micro level of analysis of small social patterns to the “big picture” which is the macro level of analysis of large social patterns.
Darwin challenged the traditional ways of thinking by presenting his theory of biological evolution. Prior to the discoveries of Darwin, it was believed that every creature on earth was divinely and created specifically by God. Darwin’s theory presented that all life started from a single species. Part of this species would then randomly develop characteristics that were not found in some of the other members, and the adaptations would enable the species to survive or hinder it from surviving. Over time these changes would result in many completely different species that struggled for survival. The only creature that would survive would be the one that is most adapted via the random evolutionary changes. Changing the ways of thinking about religion, Darwin refuted the traditional thinking of religion as he provided scientific evidence stating how what many had thought to be true to actually be false. Darwin had also led to a shift in the thinking of human behavior. Darwin’s theory was later applied to the human race, as many saw competition between both countries and companies. Known as Social Darwinism, it stated that only the “fittest” would be able to survive while the others would not. Leading to an imperialist point of view, it portrayed countries that were not a European power weaker, because they were not the fittes...
To Quote Anthony Giddens: "Sociology is the study of human social life, groups and societies. It is a dazzling and compelling enterprise, having as its subject matter our own behaviour as social beings. The scope of sociology is extremely wide, ranging from the analysis of passing encounters between individuals in the street up to the investigation of world-wide social processes“(1989). Gidden’s statement describes sociology as a study that helps us understand our own behaviour as human beings in a social word. Sociologist study everything from the interaction between people in the street to the interaction between different countries. Sociologists aim to study how societies have changed over, how societies are structured and organized, the norms of society. It’s also important to understand that not all sociologists agree with each other, Sociologists often debate with one another to prove/disprove certain theories and concepts. By studying Sociology is it helps us analyze social conflicts on a micro and macro scope. Through a macro level, we can study large-scale social organization and large social categories it also examinees social processes and patterns society as a whole. We can analyze individuals much deeper on a micro level. This way we study a human by face-to face interactions. Its important as humans to understand the way our society came together and the reasons to how elements work and function together. Sociology gives us a deeper