Question

With reference to Durkheim’s theory of religion, discuss how religion establishes harmony and stability in society.

Answer 1

Durkheim’s Theory of Religion:

• Durkheim offered the concepts of ‘sacred’ and ‘profane’. These concepts are exclusive of each other. According to him, every society makes a distinction between these two concepts. All positive beliefs are attributed to God and are considered sacred. These beliefs create fear in the minds of people.
• Profane, on the other hand, are all those things that people use in their everyday lives. It consists of magic and pseudoscience. Magic can also be anti-social. For e.g., Mahalis worship Surji Devi as a joint performance, but each family has its own deity, Orak Bonga.
• His theory focuses on the importance of the collective conscience that can be raised by the sacred. Through celebrations of festivals and rituals, communal ties are strengthened, and solidarity is maintained.
• The theory also stresses the functionalist aspect of religion through religious beliefs and rites.
• Durkheim’s ideas are highly relevant, as they help us understand the way religion exists and functions in contemporary societies. All modern societies use the two concepts of sacred and profane to reinforce social order and unity.