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 It conducts empirical studies of how religions actually function in society and its
relationship to other institution.

 It uses a comparative method.

 It investigates religious beliefs, practices and institutions in relations to other as pects of
society and culture.

 Sociologist doesn‟t have a judgemental approach to religious phenomenon. It follows
empirical method.

According to Sociological perspective means that religious beliefs and practices vary
from culture to culture

Characteristics that all religions seem to share are:

 Set of symbols, invoking feelings of reverse or owe
 Rituals or ceremonies

 A community of believers

Religion on Emile Durkheim

 He took interest in understanding the sacred realm.

 According to him sacred includes an element of the supernatural.

 Trees or Temple – it is sacred because there is some supernatural force behind it.

 But Buddhism and Confusianism had no conception of the supernatural , but allow deep
belief for the things and persons which they considered sacred.
 Religion has close relationship with power and politics.

 Religious movements for social change like various anti- caste movements or movements
against gender discrimination.

 Religion is not just a matter of private belief of an individual but it also has a public
character.

 Classical sociologist believed that as societies modernised, religion would become less
influential over various spheres of life. The concept of secularisation describes the
process.

Max Weber’s work on Religion

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 Calvinism was a protestant religious movement from 16 century.
 The focus of weber‟s study was that religion was an engine of social change.

Two features of Calvinism