Blackwell Reference Online

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The sociology of religion is a core component of the discipline, having a critical place in the classical theorizing of Max Weber and Émile Durkheim and comprising one of the more researched areas of interest among contemporary sociologists (for an introduction to sociological theory and religion, see Cipriani 2000 ). The sociology of religion is concerned with the multiplicity of ways in which religion is part of human society and thus it focuses on its institutional, cultural, and individual expression across varying social, geographical, and historical contexts. A common typology is to differentiate between substantive and functional approaches to studying religion. The former is concerned with the symbolic contents or meanings contained within a religious worldview and the latter with religion's purposes or functions in society. Following Weber's (1958) analysis of the doctrinal tenets of the Calvinist ethic, substantive approaches focus on delineating particular religious beliefs, defined in terms of concerns about transcendence and other-worldly salvation, and how these beliefs are understood and give meaning to everyday life. Functionalist definitions, by contrast, give attention to the social implications of religious belief and behavior. Following Durkheim's (1976) analysis of how religious affiliation and commitment serve purposes of social integration and belonging, ... log in or subscribe to read full text