Religion aims to answer people’s fundamental questions about their existence: where they came from, why they’re here, and what it all means. It also provides a moral framework for living and helps to create a social fabric that binds people together. It may also serve a psychological function, such as providing a sense of belonging and an outlet for grieving or anger. Many religions also teach the promise of an afterlife, which is a powerful motivator for some followers.
Many scholars have approached the concept of religion with different methodologies. Some have used quantitative analysis, relying on census data and surveys to develop definitions of religion that can be measured. Others have embraced a more qualitative approach, looking at the defining features of religion through historical case studies and ethnographic research. The definition of religion has shifted over the years, reflecting the ongoing debate about the nature of this broad and varied phenomenon.
In the wake of 19th century European industrialization and secularization, three social theorists attempted to examine the impact of religion on society: Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx. Their work paved the way for modern sociology.
Sociological functional approaches to defining religion have usually relied on a classical definition developed by Emile Durkheim. He believed that any system of beliefs and practices that serves to bind people into a moral community can be considered a religion. This definition of religion is not meant to exclude other forms of societal organization, however; anthropologists have studied communes based around religious concepts and found that they can function just as well as those based on non-religious principles.