Durkheim's Sociology of Religion: Sacred, Profane, and Social Cohesion

Durkheim's View on Religion's Social Role

Religion provided meaning in life, authority figures, and most importantly for Durkheim, it reinforced the morals and social norms held collectively by all within a society. Far from dismissing religion as mere fantasy, despite its natural origin, Durkheim saw it as a critical part of the social system.

Religion serves several vital social functions:

• Social Control: Guiding behavior and maintaining order.
• Cohesion: Uniting individuals through shared beliefs and practices.
• Purpose: Providing individuals with a sense of meaning and direction.
• Communication and Gathering: Offering a means for individuals to interact and reaffirm social norms.

The Sacred and the Profane: Durkheim's Distinction

Durkheim's second key contribution was identifying certain elements of religious beliefs common across different cultures. While a belief in a supernatural realm is not necessary or universal among religions, the separation of different aspects of life, physical things, and certain behaviors into two categories—the sacred and the profane—is common.

Understanding the Sacred

Objects and behaviors deemed sacred were considered part of the spiritual or religious realm. They were part of rites, objects of reverence, or simply behaviors deemed special by religious belief. For example, the Catholic Church respects the crucifix and the actions performed during Mass as sacred.

Understanding the Profane

Those things deemed profane were everything else in the world that did not have a religious function or hold religious meaning. In general, all aspects of social life not given moral superiority or reverence are considered profane.

Interdependence and Interaction

While these two categories are rigidly defined and set apart, they interact with one another and depend on each other for survival. The sacred world cannot survive without the profane world to support it and give it life, and vice versa.

Native American societies, for instance, while differing greatly in details, also held certain objects and behaviors sacred, such as specific animals and the rituals performed by the shaman. This division of things into two separate but interacting spheres is common among all religions.

Reinforcing Collective Morals and Social Norms

Ultimately, religion is able to reaffirm collective morals and beliefs in the minds of all members of society. This is important because if left to their own for a long amount of time, the beliefs and convictions of individuals will weaken in strength and require reinforcement. Religion maintains the influence of society, where "society" represents the norms and beliefs held in common by a group of individuals.