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Unit-17: Theory of Religion

definition of religion is – “religion is that overall system of all the believes and behaviours related notes
with all the sacred things which combines all the individuals into a moral community.
It is clear from the above deliberation that the social principle related with religion of Durkhim is based
on the difference between purity and ordinary and the feeling to create the difference was raised on
the basis of Totemism. This way, Totam is the first source of the genesis of religion, and finally it is
society because Totem is the collective representation or symbol of religion. The mysterious attitude
of fear and respect towards religion and the esoteric and supernatural relations of the members of
the tribe with Totem , feeling of purity grows on that basis. As a result the feeling of brotherhood
develops among all the members of the group and they united into a moral community. Here lies the
foundation of religion because on the basis of Totam, the collective moral community deserve that
power, and have to bow in front of it.
As per Durkhim, Religion has much social works. And the first one is that religion divides human life
into two clear parts: Ordinary and Sacred. Religion teaches its members to consider the clear difference
between the two and to stay away from ordinary or profane work because being away from sacred
life is religious corruption. This way religion gives ordination to people to do sacred actions so that
they can be free from sinful results. It orders them for religious purification on doing profane work.
Religion also teaches people that the place of religious service should keep away from the place where
ordinary work happens. The place of worship is a sacred place, so these types of places should not be
used for ordinary work. Same way, also different time of doing sacred and ordinary work determines
certain days. Ex. For Christians Sunday is the worship day.

Did You Know? The purpose of religious celebrations and acts is to sanctify sinners or to
convert an ordinary person into a pious person or to lift a religious person
to the maximum level. Precisely, Religion as per Durkhim, represents a
collective ideal.

Sorokin has given the brief essence of above principle like this: (a). Society is the main reason of religion;
(b). Religious concepts are nothing but the specialties of society. (c) Sacred or God is the tangible face
of society and (d). Primary work of religion is to generate social unity and to make it stable.
Shri Alaxzander Goldenwizer and other scholers have written by criticizing the above principle that
Firstly, This statement of Durkhim that Totemism is the foremost and first basis of religion, is wrong.
Study of different tribal society does not confirm it. In aboriginal societies religion and Totam keep
their separate existence. In Totemism , A tribal believes Totem as their original men or normal ancestor
and the all believers never marries to each other. Both of the qualities are necessary in Totemism but
religion lacks both of them. If Totemism would have the basis of religion then they would have been
mixed together till now. Secondary, Religon cannot be understand or explained on the basis of these
two assumptions. This type of differentiation can be clear in primitive society but in modern society
it is very tough to draw a clear dividing line between both of them. Third, Social factors are important
in the origin of religion, nobody will reject this truth; saying this will not be right and scientific that
Society is the only reason in the origin of religion. By saying this Shri Durkhim ; “ Society is the real
god” done the mistake to give more importance to society than its need.

Task What has characterized the society by the principles of religion by Durkhim?

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