- "Sociology of religion is the study of the beliefs, practices, and organizational forms of religion using the tools and methods of the discipline of sociology."
Religion is a central aspect of cultural history, it can help us understand the beliefs, values and social practices of different societies and how these have influenced their cultural development.
Mythology: Study of traditional stories, legends and myths which constitute the cultural identity of a religion.
Creation stories: Beliefs and narratives related to the origins of the universe and humanity.
Beliefs and practices: Basic tenets and practices of a religion, including rituals, sacraments, prayer, and meditation.
Religious texts: Compilation of and analysis of religious texts such as the Bible, the Qur’an, and the Bhagavad Gita, which explore the teachings of the religion.
Denominations: Exploration of the different branches, denominations and sects within a religion.
History of Religion: Study of the historical and cultural background of religious traditions, including their origin, evolution and development.
Philosophy of Religion: Inquiry into the nature, existence, and rationality of religious belief.
Ethics of Religion: Study of the moral and ethical aspects of religious beliefs and practices.
Spiritual and mystical practices: Exploration of spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, and prayer.
Religious Art: Study of religious art from various cultures and time periods.
Comparative religion: Analysis and comparison of different religious traditions to understand similarities and differences.
Anthropology of Religion: Analysis of the role of religion in society and culture.
Religious Experience: Exploration of the personal and subjective experience of religion and spirituality.
Symbolism: Study of the symbolic language and imagery used in various religious traditions to convey complex ideas.
Religion and society: Analysing the role of religion within social structures, including the influence of religious beliefs on politics and culture.
Christianity: One of the world's largest religions that is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Islam: A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, its adherents are known as Muslims.
Buddhism: A non-theistic religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama, which emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Hinduism: One of the oldest religions in the world, which emphasizes on Dharma, Karma, and Moksha.
Judaism: A monotheistic religion that advocates the belief in one God and the practice of religious rituals and customs.
Taoism: A philosophical and religious tradition that emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony in the universe.
Sikhism: A monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev that emphasizes on the importance of social justice and equality.
Confucianism: A religious and philosophical tradition based on the teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Shintoism: The traditional religion of Japan, which emphasizes on the veneration of spirits and ancestors.
Jainism: An ancient Indian religion that advocates non-violence and respect for all living beings.
Zoroastrianism: A monotheistic religion founded in ancient Persia, which advocates the belief in good deeds and the battle between good and evil.
Wicca: A modern pagan religion that emphasizes on the practices of witchcraft, magick, and healing.
Candomblé: An Afro-Brazilian religion that centers on the veneration of deities known as orixás.
Voodoo: A religion that mixes African and Catholic beliefs and practices the veneration of ancestors and spirits.
Scientology: A religious movement founded by L. Ron Hubbard, which emphasizes on the techniques of self-improvement and knowledge.
Animism: A belief system in which spirits and supernatural beings inhabit objects and natural phenomena.
Daoism: A religion that emphasizes on living in harmony with nature and achieving inner peace and longevity through meditation.
- "This objective investigation may include the use both of quantitative methods (surveys, polls, demographic and census analysis) and of qualitative approaches (such as participant observation, interviewing, and analysis of archival, historical and documentary materials)."
- "Émile Durkheim's 1897 study of suicide rates among Catholic and Protestant populations, a foundational work of social research which served to distinguish sociology from other disciplines, such as psychology."
- "The works of Karl Marx and Max Weber emphasized the relationship between religion and the economic or social structure of society."
- "Contemporary debates have centered on issues such as secularization, civil religion, and the cohesiveness of religion in the context of globalization and multiculturalism."
- "The sociology of religion is distinguished from the philosophy of religion in that it does not set out to assess the validity of religious beliefs."
- "The process of comparing multiple conflicting dogmas may require what Peter L. Berger has described as inherent 'methodological atheism'."
- "Whereas the sociology of religion broadly differs from theology in assuming indifference to the supernatural..."
- "Theorists tend to acknowledge socio-cultural reification of religious practice."
- "The study of the beliefs, practices, and organizational forms of religion using the tools and methods of the discipline of sociology."
- "Quantitative methods (surveys, polls, demographic and census analysis) and qualitative approaches (such as participant observation, interviewing, and analysis of archival, historical and documentary materials)."
- "Émile Durkheim's 1897 study of suicide rates among Catholic and Protestant populations."
- "The relationship between religion and the economic or social structure of society."
- "Secularization, civil religion, and the cohesiveness of religion in the context of globalization and multiculturalism."
- "It does not set out to assess the validity of religious beliefs."
- "Broadly differs from theology in assuming indifference to the supernatural."
- "Inherent 'methodological atheism' described by Peter L. Berger."
- "Theorists tend to acknowledge socio-cultural reification of religious practice."
- "Using the tools and methods of the discipline of sociology."
- "Both quantitative methods and qualitative approaches are utilized."