- "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."
The relationship between religion and society, including the role of religion in social institutions, such as marriage, education, and politics.
The origins of religion: This topic focuses on the earliest forms of human religious belief worldwide, including animistic beliefs, ancestor worship, and polytheism.
Monotheism: This topic explores the rise of monotheistic religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, as well as the impact of these religions on society and culture.
Religious diversity: This topic focuses on the different religious beliefs and practices found around the world and their impact on society.
The role of religion in society: This topic examines the ways in which religion has shaped societal beliefs, behaviors, and practices throughout history.
Religion and politics: This topic explores the relationship between religion and political power, including the role of religious institutions in guiding decision-making and the use of religion as a tool for political control.
Religion and conflict: This topic examines how religion has been used as a factor in political and social conflicts, including wars and terrorism.
Religious change: This topic explores how religion has changed over time, including the impact of globalization, secularization, and technological advancements on religious beliefs and practices.
Religious diversity in the United States: This topic focuses specifically on the religious diversity found within the United States, including trends in religious affiliation and the impact of religion on American culture and politics.
Atheism and agnosticism: This topic examines the growing number of individuals who do not adhere to a particular religious belief system, including the rise of non-religious movements and secularization.
Religion and gender: This topic explores the ways in which religious beliefs and practices have influenced gender roles and identities throughout history, as well as contemporary discussions around gender and religion.
Christianity: Y: This religion is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It includes a diverse range of denominations, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodox Christianity.
Islam: The religion of Islam centers around the belief in a single God (Allah) and the teachings of the prophet Muhammad.
Hinduism: This religion originated in India and is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, karma, and many gods and goddesses.
Buddhism: Buddhism is a spiritual belief system based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha.
Judaism: The religion of Judaism is based on the belief in a single God and the teachings of the Torah, as well as the Talmud and other Jewish texts.
Taoism: Taoism is a Chinese belief system that is centered around the concept of Yin and Yang, which represent the complementary forces of the universe.
Confucianism: Confucianism is a Chinese philosophy that is focused on ethics and the importance of relationships between individuals.
Shintoism: This is the traditional religion of Japan and is centered around the belief in the spirits of nature and ancestors.
Sikhism: Sikhism is a belief system that originated in India and is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak.
Zoroastrianism: This is an ancient religion that originated in Persia and is centered around the belief in one God.
Jainism: Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence and the importance of self-control.
Indigenous Religions: These are the traditional religions of various cultures and ethnic groups around the world. They are often characterized by a close connection to nature and a belief in a spiritual world.
Mormonism: This religion is based on the teachings of Joseph Smith and centers around the belief in a restored gospel and the Book of Mormon.
Baha'i: This is a global belief system that emphasizes the unity of all religions and the importance of world peace.
Scientology: Scientology is a belief system that was founded in the 1950s and is centered around the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard.
- "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."