How doessociology study religion?

Sociologystudies religion as an institution and conducts it in three ways:

(i)An empirical study on the various functions of religion and itsinterrelatedness to the society.

(ii)It uses a comparative method.

(iii)It investigates the religious beliefs and practices in relation toother aspects of the society.

Thereare different groups of religion that originated with the change andneed of the society such as Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhismand Jainism, etc.

Religionhas certain beliefs, norms, rules and regulations that are expectedto be followed by its members, which govern and regulate theirbehaviour.

Further,religion has had a very close relationship with power and politics.There have been many social movements which were carried out on thebasis of religion.

Classicalsociologists believed that as societies have modernised, theinfluence of religion on the lives of individuals has decreased,which has led to secularism.

Manythinkers of sociology have presented their theories upon religion andtheir origin. For example, Max Weber in his study, The ProtestantEthic and The Rise of Capitalism viewed that capitalism was a resultof Calvinism and their thinking of increasing the economic activity,in order to please the god.

Similarly,Emile Durkhiem presented the view of differentiating the sacred fromthe profane that existed in religious societies.

Furtherreligion is not only a private matter of individual but it also has apublic character, as it holds strong ties with other institutionslike politics, economics, education and marriage and kinship.