SOC103H1 Lecture Notes - Religion In Canada, Hypothesis, Civil Religion
Document Summary
In a social science perspective, the stance of sociology is that religion is merely a social phenomenon, one of many products of social life that play an important role in society"s functioning. Marx viewed it as a form of socially organized self-deception and a way that people, especially the ruling class disguise their exploitation of the masses. Durkheim viewed religion as an opportunity for group celebration. The content of religion is less important than the opportunity it presents to express social solidarity in ritualized form. Weber viewed religion as a set of beliefs that give life meaning and purpose. These beliefs can have enormous and sometimes positive social consequences. West are more autonomous than before, they no longer need the emotional support and communal solidarity religion traditionally offered. New religious movements are groups and institutions comprising people who share similar religious or spiritual views about the world but who are not part of mainstream religious institutions.
