Introduction to Sociology of Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Introduction to Sociology of Religion - Essay Example attributed to the fact that, similar to sociological tradition in studying religion, the book shows a sound rationality how religion in society can be related to most of the social institutions and social groups. However, this is not to justify how true or false a religion can be, but instead, narrows the understanding of religion in the social context. Therefore, this book gives a reflection of how the society perceives sociology. It mainly concentrates on the culture of the Americans and how it interacts socially with the other religions and cultures. In a reflection, the different sections in religion can be analyzed through demographics and ethnography cultural perspectives not excluding the modernized political and economic perception to it. It is thus important to indicate that, Johnstone’s effort to simplifying the relations of society and religion is because based on the fact that it needs to be understood well. Therefore, he clarifies on some key issues that drive some sense into most individuals and even groups in evaluating why some of attitudes, social actions and thoughts can be affected by religion (Johnstone 90). Thus, religion can be defined in a variety of ways. The definitions of religion are based on all the previous general definition of religion in the social context. First, religion can be considered to be only the sacred things that happen in life, other than the evils. This is Durkheim’s first definition which gives a difference on how sacred can be viewed differently from the other actions which can still be part of a religion. This definition includes those that are widely accepted by the other sociologists. These sociologists view religion as what exactly life can be and what is more into it after death. This is the broader perception of the whole issue. Another key vital definition of religion in a sociological context is how it relates to religion in supernatural ways. It consist more of interpretation of beliefs that are