6.7 The Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Summary

In 1912, Durkheim's 'Elementary Forms of Religious Life' explored the origins of religious beliefs through the study of Australian Aboriginals' totem religion. He emphasized the importance of understanding the sacred-profane divide and the powerful, external force that religious individuals attribute to their faith. Durkheim suggested that this force is actually society's influence, which provides support and a sense of unity, long before and after an individual's life. The book remains relevant for its insights into the sociology of religion and the role of collective consciousness.

Takeaways

• 📚 Durkheim's 'Elementary Forms of Religious Life' was published in 1912, focusing on the origins of religious beliefs and practices.
• 🌏 The book uses anthropological material, particularly studying Australian Aboriginals, to explore early forms of totem religion.
• 🔍 Durkheim's methodological principle emphasizes taking the experiences of the people studied seriously, even if they seem irrational.
• 🙏 He suggests understanding the significance of objects treated with reverence, such as a stone or a statue, in the context of the believers' worldview.
• 🛐 Durkheim differentiates between the profane and the sacred, highlighting the distinction between the mundane and the religious world.
• 🌟 Religious rituals and sacred objects are seen as sources of power that can be both frightening and comforting to believers.
• 💪 Participation in religious gatherings is described as empowering, providing a sense of strength and energy to the participants.
• ⏳ Durkheim views the power experienced in religious practices as a reflection of the enduring and external nature of society and its collective consciousness.
• 🌐 Religious imagery is interpreted by Durkheim as a sociological metaphor for the societal forces that bind individuals together.
• 🧠 The book is considered relevant for its insights into the sociology of religion and its exploration of how society shapes religious experiences.

Q & A

In what year was 'The Elementary Forms of Religious Life' published?

The book 'The Elementary Forms of Religious Life' was published in 1912.

What type of material did Durkheim use in his study of religious beliefs and practices?

Durkheim used anthropological and ethnographic material in his study, particularly focusing on field studies of societies such as the Australian Aboriginals.

What was Durkheim's methodological principle regarding the study of religious experiences?

Durkheim's methodological principle was that sociologists should always take the words of the people they study very seriously, even if their experiences seem irrational or crazy at first sight.

Why does Durkheim suggest not to mock or criticize religious practices that seem strange to outsiders?

Durkheim suggests not to mock or criticize because the experiences and objects involved hold deep reality for the believers, and they are set apart with special significance in their eyes.

What is the distinction Durkheim identifies between the profane and the sacred?

Durkheim identifies a clear distinction between the profane, which is the mundane everyday world, and the sacred, which is the religious world that is extraordinary and set apart.

How does Durkheim describe the power that religious believers feel when they participate in rituals or encounter sacred objects?

Durkheim describes the power as something that can be both frightening and comforting, a coercive force that can also provide strength and support during times of grief and distress.

What does Durkheim say about the source of the power that believers feel is external to them?

Durkheim suggests that the power believers feel as external and superior is actually the power of society, the collective conscience that unites and supports them.

How does Durkheim interpret the religious imagery of society?

Durkheim interprets religious imagery as a product of sociology, a metaphorical way to speak about the societal structures and collective consciousness that are difficult to imagine and comprehend.

What does Durkheim believe existed long before an individual's birth and will continue to exist after their death?

Durkheim believes that society, with its collective conscience and social networks, existed long before an individual's birth and will continue to exist after their death.

What is the role of religious rituals and sacred objects in the lives of believers according to Durkheim?

According to Durkheim, religious rituals and sacred objects serve to reinforce the collective conscience and social bonds, providing a sense of strength, energy, and empowerment to believers.