Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a personal god or another supernatural being. They can also include cultural beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, revelations, and morals that have spiritual meaning to members of the particular faith.
Studying Religion is a great way to learn about the wide range of cultures throughout the world, and it will make you more aware of global complexity! You will be challenged to think about things from different perspectives and be able to discuss topics that can be difficult for some students in other studies.
There are many ways to approach the study of religion, and there is no wrong answer! One of the most common ways is to focus on religion’s impact on society, such as in politics or in the way people live their lives.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, social theorists like Durkheim, Weber, and Marx argued that religion was an important part of society and a force for cohesion in groups.
But they did not believe that it was essential for the functioning of society and did not see it as a means to social change or oppression. In the 21st century, many scholars have criticized religion’s influence on society.
Despite these criticisms, there are still plenty of social scientists who are interested in studying religion. For instance, psychologists have studied the reasons why people believe in a god or gods and what it takes to be devout. Other social scientists have focused on how religion influences our lives and helps us to cope with life’s challenges.