Macro Structures(2) - 신명주 Myeong Ju, Shin

MAIN TOPIC : Macro Structure(Religion)

Name : Myeong-Ju Shin

Date : March 23~24th , 2015

 

 I took a forth "Invitation to Sociology" lecture when Monday and Tuesday of this week. This week lecture main idea is "Sociology of Religion" : How we analyze religion though sociological perspective. I am atheist, so I am not interested in religion. But taking this opportunity I begin to pay attention to this. The religions is variety. Therefore religion is difficult to define precisely. Theses feature of religion is so novel.

Topic 1: What functions religion may have?

 

 Functions of religion are different by standpoint with functionalist theorists and conflict theorists.

 Conflict theorists argue that religion primarily as a tool of social control. Typical theorist is "Karl Marx". He called religion "the opiate of the masses". It means religion can be used by tools. Blind people to the realities of inequality so discouraging protest.

 Functionalist theorists argue that religion contributes social integration, social control and religion reduce anxiety. Typical theorist is "Emile Durkheim". He suggested that religion fought "alienation".

 I generally agree with the functionalist theorists's idea. Because I have looked many Christian friends are stability of mind and body. They are become intimate so fast by themselves because they together go to the church. That is, I think minor significance of social integration. So I think more make sense functionalist theorists's idea than conflict theorists's idea.

 

Topic 2 : Why Musilm don’t eat pork?

 

 Muslim forbid eating pork by the law. Just animals such as pigs eating prohibit in the Koran, do not people eating the pigs?

 It is more cause that people don't eat pork. Actually, breeding a pig so difficult in desert. So originally rich people only can eat pork. Pig's forage is a honey locust's fruits. Because the tree very common there.

 But the fruits also provisions of poor people. As more pigs, poor people are starvation. So the religion instruct that people do not dat pork in order to protection for weak people. 

 

 Originally,  I am indifferent to religion because I am atheist. But sociology's standpoint of religion is so interested for me. Religion is various, so precisely definition of religion is difficult. That point is charming. For this reason, I am very entertaining lecture of this week!! :)

 (copyright : google image)