Sociological and Anthropological Definition of Religion

Explanation of how sociologist and anthropologists define religion Throughout the years, various anthropologists have developed definitions for religion. Emilie Durkheim was one of the first and many sociologists who studied the structure of religion and tried to define its’ function. Durkheim stated that â€Å"a religion is 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. Durkheim describes religion as the embodiment of society’s highest goals and ideals. He states that religion acts as a cohesive social force. It is real in that it exists in people’s minds and impels them to heed societal dictates, but what is perceived as external to society, like God, is a projection and reflection of society (Segal, The Blackwell Companion to the Study of Religion, 2006, p.5) For Malinowski, religion arose as a response to emotional stress. When technical knowledge proved insufficient, human beings turn to magic and religion in order to achieve their ends. Talal Asad concluded that â€Å"there cannot be a universal definition of religion, because its constituent elements and relationships are historically specific and because that definition is itself the historical product of discursive processes† (Segal, The Blackwell Companion to the Study of Religion, 2006, p.5). James George Frazer constructed a universalShow MoreRelatedPhilosophy, Phenomenology And Comparative Approachs851 Words   |  4 Pagesthere are six different approaches to religion. One approach is the psychological or individual aspect. 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An arranged marriage by definition is a marriage planned and agreed to by the families or guardians of the bride and groom. The amount of input a bride or groom has is based off the type of arranged marriage (Psychology Wiki). Arranged marriage is a sensitive topic as it involves the values, beliefs and core characteristics of many. There are multiple views on arranged marriage, both positive and negative. In the west most individuals have negativeRead MoreEthnic identites Essay1533 Words   |  7 Pagesconcept of ethnic identity calls for definition. The adjective â€Å"ethnic† relates to the fact of belonging to a certain human group, as defined by anthropological and cultural features. With such a wide meaning, the word and its derivative â€Å"ethnicity† raise issues as to their definition: there is no universally agreed definition on the term ethnicity. â€Å"Ethnicity refers to a group or community that is assumed to share common cu ltural practices and history. Religion, language and territory are all included