Approaches to the Study of Religion Essay -- Theology Religion Sociolo

The sociological approach looks at religious belief and practice in relation to the society. Sociologists be interested in two themes, the centrality of faith in society and the diversity of forms it inhabits (Hamilton 1995/20011). It regards religion as a social fact subject to empirical observation, which produces empirical evidence (Dillon 20037). The sociology of religion is a product of the enlightenment, from which it inherited a tendency to dismiss religion as incompatible with rationality (Dillon 20036). This dismissal has had significant impact on the place towards religion and it is the basis for the most influential paradigm in the history of the field secularisation. The secularisation possible action claims that religion is or will be on the decrease in society. So profound was its impact that modern sociology often aims to account for the continued presence of religion in society and has generally held a rather negative view of religion as being an unworthy subject of study(Davies 20072). The reason for the secuarlisation can be seen in the fact that sociology is a theory both guided by and aims to build theories (Wuthnow/Dillon 200321). Theories require analysis and generalisation. It is impossible to analyse a subject without first defining the subject (Robertson 197034). Definition is a contentious issue because different definitions entail different criteria which lead to different patterns being indentified in data. Theories are created by the identification of patterns in data which are then generalised.(Davies 20075). Thus a definition will vastly affect the content and concept of a theory. Definitions of religion in sociology fall into two categories, utilitarian and substantive. This essay will assess... ...in the answers but in the question.Works CitedDavie, Grace (2007) The Sociology of Religion. London. Sage PublicationsDillon, Michele (2003) Handbook of the Sociology of Religion. Cambridge. Cambridge university pressHamilton, M alcom (1995/2001) The Sociology of Religion Theoretical and Comparative Perspectives. 2nd edition. Routledge. LondonHunt, Stephen J (2002) Religion in Western Society. London. PalgraveMcGuire, Meredith B. (1997) Religion The Social Context 4th edition. Wadsworth Pickering, W.S.F. (1984) Durkheims Sociology of Religion Themes and Theories. Routledge. LondonRobertson, Ronald (1970) The Sociological Interpretation of Religion. Blackwell Sociology Series. London Steinsaltz, Adin (2000) A communicate to Jewish Prayer . New YorkWuthnow, Robert (2003) Studying Religion, Making it Sociological in Dillon (2003) pp.16-30