There are three different outlook of social theorists on religion. “Structural functional perspective” implies that, religion is the source of stability and order in the society. “Conflict perspective” view religion as the source of suppression for poor people. However, “Max Weber” infers that, religion is the source of progress and stability and the source of conflict with in a given society. Which is the mixture of structural functional and conflict perspective.
Structural Functional Perspective
Structural functional perspective of religion begins with the work of “Emile Durkheim”. His analysis of religion is mentioned in his theory of “elementary forms of religion”. Emile Durkheim explained three elements of religion in this theory. he insinuated that these elements of religion are shared by adherents every religion these include;
1. Sacred and profane
2. Beliefs ( on supernatural power)
3. Rituals
According to Emile Durkheim, religions have divided human experiences in sacred and profane; sacred are those events which are beyond the understanding and control of human beings. It refers to the things which we regard with feeling of respect and those things from which we fear. On the other hand, profane refers to worldly things and events; which are controlled and manipulated by, people within a society. People have knowledge and are familiar with such events. Secondly, people belief on supreme power, which help them to cope with uncertainties. For instance, the death of the close ones, failure, crises and success. Religion answer many questions which are beyond the intellect of human being to answer like; how the world came in to being? Who is the creator of universe? What is the meaning of life? What is the purpose of life? What is death? And what will happen after death? Thirdly, every religion in this world have rituals. For instance, Muslims celebrate “Eid ul fitar” and “Eid ul “Aza”, Cristians” celebrate Christmas and Easter and Hindus celebrate “Holi and Dewali”.
The Functions of Religion
According to Emile Durkheim, religion plays an important role in the society. If religion was not important, it would not have been universal. There are many functions of religion within a society. Religion is the source for the development of traditions, norms and values. Norms and values guides the behavior of an individual within a society. It teaches the people to differentiate between moral and immoral behavior. Rituals and beliefs of religion, work as support system in the times of need. Participating in religious ritual gives people satisfaction and feeling of belonging. Religion creates a moral, stable and peaceful community.
Conflict Perspective on Religion
Karl Marx view about the religion totally differ from Emile Durkheim. According to Karl Marx religion is the opium of the masses. Religion is used by the elite to suppress the poor. The elite, with the help of religion; keep poor focused on the life after death and the perks which will be received by them after death. For the reason that, they could not realize that, they are being oppressed by the elite class. Religion support the poor to believe that, they should endure the hardship, inequality and suppression and not to revolt against oppressor.
Modern conflict theorist believe that, religion is source of conflict between the two groups. Conflict take place in two groups due to sectarianism and fundamentalism. For instance, “Shiite and Sunni” conflict in Middle East and central Asia, Catholic and protestant conflict in Ireland.
Another theory of conflict is dialect, which states that conflict between two groups or ideas can bring social change. The change in the surrounding society may bring change in the religion. Change in the attitude of people towards women compelled Jews to allow women to serve as rabbis.
Max Weber on Religion
Weber view on religion is the combination of structural functional and conflict perspective. He was interested in analyzing the function of religion and he was also interested in the correlation of social change and religious change. Max Weber focus was on impact of change in religious ideology on the social change.
Weber believed that, religion is the search of the information and knowledge of the things which is unknown to the mankind. This view of Weber make religion similar to science. Due to religion people get better understanding of the world. It may give the answer which can support the current condition or challenge it. To find the answer of unknown, people often turn towards the charismatic leaders. Charismatic leader are those who possess extraordinary personality traits. These charismatic personalities often becomes the source of social change. Prophet (P B U H) and Christ are the examples of charismatic personalities. However, Weber sees religion as both source of instability and progress (social change).
Weber argued that, due to protestant reforms capitalism came in to being. Protestants believed that, working hard, striving to achieve the objective and rationalism are virtuous behavior. Laziness and indulgence are considered to be vicious or sinful behavior. The Protestants moral values became the values for the capitalism and which brought the progressive social change in society.
Religion create contradiction between two complementary tendencies. Tendency of rejecting the world or tendency of compromising with the world. People who involve in adultery and have different sexual orientation are not accepted by the religious societies. Should religion denounce such people or take their short coming into account? Should those people forsake their worldly possession to become a part of society or should they forsake religion? Such dilemma create conflict between individuals within a society.
Written by; Khushdil Khan Kasi
