6.8 The Social Functions of Religion

Summary

This transcript discusses Emile Durkheim's views on religion as a societal phenomenon. It highlights how religious objects and rituals create a sense of collective effervescence, fostering social unity and cohesion. Durkheim, a functionalist, saw religion as essential for social regulation and countering egoism. Despite secularization, he believed new institutions could replace religion's functions, such as nationalism or large-scale events, suggesting a shift in how societies experience collective unity.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Religious objects impress believers because they seem to emanate a power that Durkheim attributes to society.
• 🎉 Collective effervescence, a state of euphoria or ecstasy, is produced during religious gatherings, reinforcing social unity.
• 🔍 Durkheim was a functionalist thinker who analyzed the sociological functions that phenomena like religion fulfilled for society.
• 🧩 Religion serves to repair social ties and contribute to social cohesion within the larger social system.
• 🔬 Durkheim's functionalist analysis was systematic and programmatic, distinguishing it from mere cause and effect relationships.
• 🌐 As religion's importance wanes with secularization, modern social sciences have taken over some of its cognitive functions.
• 📚 Sociology provides a clearer and more critically discussable image of society compared to religious imagery.
• 🏛️ New institutions and belief systems may arise to fulfill the functions traditionally served by religion, such as nationalism.
• 🏟️ Large-scale events like national celebrations or sports matches can evoke a sense of collective unity akin to religious experiences.
• 🌐 Durkheim suggests that even non-religious phenomena like global consumer culture can elicit semi-religious feelings of solidarity.

Q & A

What is the primary reason religious objects are impressive to believers according to Durkheim?

Religious objects are impressive to believers because they appear to emanate a power that Durkheim believes can only be the power of society.

How does Durkheim describe the production of collective power during religious meetings?

Durkheim describes the production of collective power as occurring when people are gathered together, possibly dancing or singing, and collectively reach a state of euphoria or ecstasy, which he calls 'collective effervescence.'

What is the significance of the state of collective effervescence in Durkheim's view?

The state of collective effervescence is significant because it is the moment when the feeling of social unity is created and reinforced.

How does Durkheim's functionalist perspective view the role of religion in society?

Durkheim, as a functionalist thinker, views religion as not only a product of society but also as fulfilling important functions for society, such as contributing to social cohesion and supporting social regulation.

What is one of the sociological functions of religion that Durkheim identifies?

One of the sociological functions of religion identified by Durkheim is to repair the ties between people when they have been harmed, such as in mourning rituals.

What problem does Durkheim confront in relation to the process of secularization?

Durkheim confronts the problem of secularization, which he himself experienced as a son of a rabbi who became an agnostic professor of sociology.

How does Durkheim suggest modern societies might replace the sociological functions of traditional religion?

Durkheim suggests that modern societies might develop new institutions and belief systems, such as nationalism or large-scale events, that can fulfill the functions traditionally fulfilled by religion.

What does Durkheim say about the potential immortality of the gospels?

Durkheim states that the gospels are not immortal and that mankind will always create new ones, implying that religious and societal structures will evolve over time.

What examples does Durkheim provide to illustrate the replacement of religious functions in modern society?

Durkheim provides examples such as nationalistic gatherings, like the French celebrating Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity on the 14th of July, or Americans on Independence Day.

How do large pop concerts and international soccer matches relate to religious functions according to the script?

The script suggests that large pop concerts, rock concerts, and international soccer matches can also fulfill religious functions by providing a deep feeling of unity with everyone present.