SCS 1160 Lecture : Durkheim
26 Mar 2012
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Document Summary
Interested in the role religion plays within society, not the religion itself. Definition of religion: a religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things. Things that are set apart and forbidden, things we don"t touch. Religion doesn"t have to be about the supernatural, or god. Everyone who agrees that one thing is sacred, is united into a moral community called a church. Religion is defined in terms of how it holds society together. Does not believe society cannot do without a form of religion. Worked on religion in the beginning of the 1890"s, finished writing in the early 1900"s and was the last book or importance he wrote. Tried to approach religion objectively and scientifically. Supposed to be about measurable things but in the last analysis he states religion is a social fact measured by the consciousness we have of belonging to a group.
