Emile Durkheim from the Perspective of the Sociology of Religion: The Origin and Social Meaning of Religion

Abstract

This study aims to explain the existence and effect of religion in society by addressing Durkheim's theory of religion with the method of literature review. The study focused on Durkheim's First Forms of Religious Life and examined his emphasis on the source of religion. In this work, Durkheim examined the social origins of religion by focusing on a tribe in Australia. He claims that religion originates from society, that is, society is god. In this way, Durkheim emphasizes that religion is a part of social reality and emphasizes its function in social structures. It also draws attention to the importance of the sanction and functionality of religion in society. According to Durkheim, religion is a phenomenon that needs to be understood in a social context and should be examined from a sociological perspective. This study provides information that enables us to understand Durkheim's theory of religion, but when approached from a critical perspective, it can be said that Durkheim does not adequately address the individual experiences and diversity of religion and ignores the effects of religion on social transformation. In addition, it can be observed that Durkheim has a limited perspective on the universality of religion and diversity in different cultures. Therefore, Durkheim's

theory of religion calls for critical examination and highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to fully grasp the multidimensional nature of religion.