CRITICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF RELIGION
Journal Title: Asian Journal Social Sciences & Humanities - Year 2013, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
The views of sociologists on the nature and social functions of religion do not show any evidence of consensus, but rather great disparity. There is a clear case of overcomplication and over-intellectualization of religious phenomena. Even when there is a voluntary declaration of intention to observe agnostic neutrality and academic morality, many scholars are guilty of value judgment and subjective intrusion into the essence of religion. The question that is begging for answer is: if religion is a social institution with practitioners and specialists, is it reasonable to define religion apart, or away from the known practices of the votaries? When scholars in exercise of academic freedom say things, or propound a theory that have no bearing with religion in the practical sense, is it mandatory that such views be taken serious? These are some of the questions that this paper will attempt to answer. The paper examines the theories of religion by leading theorists in sociology of religion and came up with the conclusion that theory is different from practice. It is the opinion of this paper that some of the theories are outdated and do not deserve serious consideration in 21st century sociology. Religion as a social institution is dynamic, such that research findings of previous centuries, and epoch cannot remain valid forever. Social scientific study of religion is in dire need of contemporary theoretical analysis and that is the challenge before scholarship.
Authors and Affiliations
Etim E. Okon
UNDERSTANDING REASONS OF CHILD LABOUR IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF KARACHI, PAKISTAN
The research aims at understanding and exploring the different reasons behind the plague of ‘Child labour’ that has engulfed Pakistan since its independence. As a member of International Labour Organiz...
The Reception of Rylands V. Fletcher Rule in Ceylon: A Review on the Judicial Activism in Introducing Principles of English Law, in Colonial Era
In the British colonial era, even if the British administrative policy based on the decision of Campbell v. Hall was adopted by the proclamation of 1799 in Ceylon, the principles of English law have been introduced throu...
The Efficacy of Multisensory Method and Cognitive Skills Training on Perceptual Performance and Reading Ability in Learning and Non-Learning Based Tests of Male Dyslexic Students in Tehran Iran
The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of multisensory method and cognitive skill training interventions on performance and reading ability of dyslexic students in Iran. 60 dyslexic students participated...
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VERBS OF EXPERIENCE IBIBIO IN AND FRENCH: EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
This paper deals with two languages: the Ibibio and French. The Ibibio is spoken as the language of the Ibibio ethnic group inhabiting the state of Akwa Ibom, located in south eastern Nigeria. Nigeria is bordered...
REQUESTIONING POSITIVISM PARADIGM IN EDUCATION RESEARCH
Positivism paradigm is a system of philosophy based on any knowledge, reality, facts, and general things. It means that positivism can be measured and seen from how it can express positive truth without any consideration...