SOC100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Roland Robertson, Edward Burnett Tylor, Social Forces
Document Summary
A set of beliefs adhered to by the members of a community, incorporating symbols regarded with a sense of awe or wonder together with ritual practices: how sociologists think about religion. Sociologists are not concerned with whether religious beliefs are true or false. Sociologists are especially concerned with the social organization of religion. Sociologists have often viewed religions as a major source of social solidarity (can be a source of strength (+) and a source of oppression (-)->especially for minority groups, minority religions and other marginalized groups. If state gets involved, it may lead to genocide) in that they offer believers a common set of norms and values. Sociologists find that if a society"s members adhere to competing religions, religious differences may lead to destabilizing social conflicts (if there is too much division in society, something bad could happen) Sociologists explain the appeal of religion in terms of social forces rather than personal, spiritual, or psychological factors.
