Religion, Society, and Politics

Justice for All
Logo
Address
E-mail: immortalguardofiran@yahoo.com
Freedom, Justice, Honor, Courage
******************************************************************

Monday May 04th, 2009

Religion, Society, and Politics

Emile DURKHEIM was a French secular sociologist, and defined concept of religion as a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden – beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them. This is a functional definition of religion, meaning that it explains what religion does in social life: Essentially, it unites societies. Durkheim defined religion as a clear distinction between the scared and the profane, in effect this can be paralleled with the distinction between God and humans. In addition, Durkheim condensed religion into four major functions:

Disciplinary, forcing or administrating discipline
Cohesive, bringing people together, a strong bond
Vitalizing, to make livelier or vigorous, vitalise, boost spirit
Euphoric, a good feeling, happiness, confidence, well-being

Interestingly, Emile DURKHEIM believed if “religion has given birth to all that is essential in society, it is because the idea of society is the soul of religion."1 “For we know today that a religion does not necessarily imply symbols and rites, properly speaking, or temples and priests. This whole exterior apparatus is only the superficial part. Essentially, it is nothing other than a body of collective beliefs and practices endowed with a certain authority.”2

In April 2009 National Geographic published an article with title of “Soul of Russia”. This article illustrated the above research of Emile DURKHEIM's concept of religion. It was during communism that all faiths were banished and abolished in Russia, and everyone was practicing faith in their own homes for more than 70 years. Since collapse of communism in 1990's, Orthodox church has gained significant momentum in Russia. Right now, large portion of Russia's population is attending church and building church, and were asking to be Baptize. In addition, Russians' politicians like Vladimir Putin was attending church, and was showing his respect to the Orthodox church.

Overall, religion was working as an instrument to bring people together, and creating a nation of Russia. There was one more point that how far Russian politicians would allow church to control the public?

Thank you

Long Live Pure Divine Motherland of Iran

Pawn

End note:

1(Bellah, 1973, p. 191 [excerpt from The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life])
2(1973, p. 51 [excerpt from "Individualism and the Intellectuals"])