Faith is a serious matter. So serious that it has been studied, researched and investigated along the History of mankind by religious and science experts. Sociology is a branch of science that studies not only the origin, development and structure of human societies, in general, but also the behavior of individuals and groups. It is, therefore, quite natural that Sociology pays close attention to religion as a rich field of investigation, as it is connected to what is the most precious in human terms: your mind, or if your prefer, your soul. Religion commands people’s feelings, beliefs, conduct codes, choices and decisions, being one of the most influential realities to man. A question arises: can Sociology, as a science subject, influence and undermine one’s religious faith? Can it make it stronger by studying and decoding behavior? Or does it simply have no implications at all? I believe it has no direct implication in a person’s faith, although it can help to explain faith in connection to morality, having this way an indirect implication in people’s faith.
Firstly, it is a fact that most people do not need the support of science, therefore Sociology, to explain faith. Most of the times simple, uneducated people have faith and will never need to read one line to explain it. Faith is, in itself, a unique mystery. It can be learnt but not taught. It can be transmitted by tradition, culture, religion, being the family and local members of society the privileged background of influence to individuals, but it cannot be planted, like a seed. You cannot have faith by choice. You can belong to a religious group, but you cannot acquire faith as you acquire moral values. Faith is a gift and the proof is that non-religious families or communities can breed religious members. You can be educated as an atheist and still develop faith and choose a spiritual or religious path. The other way round is also possible: you can be an atheist having been raised by religious parents, like for example. Friedriech Nietzsche, who is known as one of history’s best-known atheists. He was raised a Lutheran, but at university he studied the philosophy of Schopenhauer and, this son of a Lutheran Ministry, became a fierce atheist whose famous quotation announces:
God is dead we have killed him. (Nietzsche)
The mystery of faith and devotion as a quest for the unattainable is tremendously appealing to Sociology, Philosophy and Science in general. According to Whitehead A. North :
The worship of God is not a rule of safety – it is an adventure of the spirit, a fight after the unattainable (North)
Not surprisingly, all that academic research in the field of science can do is try to study religious behavior, learn the moral codes what influence it, understand that the quest for the ultimate truth does not belong to any specific religion or group and admit that religion manages to mingle heart and intelligence, through faith, being able to influence the progress of humanity. Hopefully, for better.
Secondly, it is important to look at the historical research of religions and faith as a means to help clarify the concept of morality. Morality is more the target of Sociology than faith, as it is a measurable result of choices and acts. Faith is intangible, being a spiritual reality. Morality is tangible, as it can be analyzed and measured in sociological terms. There is a result to it. This way, the target of Sociology is to understand religious behavior, what influences it and its consequences, not to interfere with faith. However, independently of the religion you profess, faith can be measured in moral acts. Religion is a powerful way to create codes of behavior and set moral rules, which explains the fact that if it is a bad influence, it can generate immoral acts. All kinds of religious extremism can lead to violent acts, destruction and murder as it is widely known. Still, religious fanatics believe they are acting well in moral terms, due to their twisted moral values and faith. By studying different religions and their moral codes (including the western idea of punishment and hell or purgatory, and reward, associated to heaven), Sociology decodes religious behaviors and tries to influence people to think about them. According to a study published (17.3 Sociological Perspectives on Religion) it is said that:
Religion is an agent of social control and thus strengthens social order. Religion teaches people moral behavior and thus helps them learn how to be good members of society. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Ten Commandments are perhaps the most famous set of rules for moral behavior. (17.3 Sociological Perspectives on Religion)
Therefore, Sociological research concerning religion does not affect faith, but influences people to understand the moral acts underneath any faith, their consequences in human terms, all of it in a transversal way. Durkheim for example,
viewed religion within the context of the entire society and acknowledged its place in influencing the thinking and behavior of the members of society. (Durkheim)
He also believed that:
People see religion as contributing to the health and continuation of society in general. Thus, religion functions to bind society's members by prompting them to affirm their common values and beliefs on a regular basis. (Durkheim)
Even if Sociologists like Durkheim, Weber, and Marx defend that religion is an illusion and its power in the modern society will decrease, the influence of sociological studies should be considered a positive one, appealing to other ways to attain humanity, compassion, self-awareness and responsibility, because a modern morality, according to the sociologist Francesco Alberony, should not be regarded anymore as a set of commandments, prescriptions, laws, threats, punishments and rules, as it has been done by most religions, to control people’s faith, but rather as a personal means of development. He says that:
The only possible beginning for a modern morality is to begin with ourselves. Morality starts with any singular individual. It is a movement of each individual toward the others. It is a path to altruism and brotherly love. (Alberoni/Veca))
Alberoni also defends that:
there cannot be an ethic of cruelty. You cannot create a selfish morality, because selfishness is, by definition, immoral. (Alberoni/Veca)
Finally it is interesting to analyze an optimistic perspective of religion by a renowned American Sociologist, Rodney Stark, who defends that religious faith has an amazing positive impact in society:
writes professor Stark, addressing an American audience, “we enjoy far lower crime rates, much higher levels of charitable giving, better health, stronger marriages, and less suicide, to note only a few of our benefits from being an unusually religious nation.” (Stark)
Concluding:
All in all, I strongly believe that Sociology does not have the power to undermine faith, but it can and ought to influence people’s idea of morality in contrast (or complement) to religion and faith. Sociology can be considered a dispassionate observer of moral behavior connected to both religion and faith, helping you observe and think about the consequences of your acts, ultimately helping society itself recognize what is moral or not. Without a well rooted morality, religion and even faith are pointless. The biggest power that God has granted man was freedom to act and use his/her personal gifts and freewill to help create a better world. Sociology may not be able to do it on its own, but it certainly makes it easier for educated people to understand they have the choice, no matter what their religion or faith may be, to be the carriers of an altruistic and genuine morality, which would be a precious asset in our modern society. Faith is a gift, morality is an achievement. Sociology simply implies that both are essential to grant credibility to any religious individual, group or community.
Works Cited
Kershaw, Tom. “The religion and political views of Friedrich Nietzsche”. The Hollowverse - The religions and political views of the influentials, 20 Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://hollowverse.com/friedrich-nietzsche/>.
Whitehead, Alfred North (quote), in Peck, M. Scott, Abounding Grace – An Anthology of wisdom. Kansas City: Andrew McMeel Publishing, 2000. Print.
Barkan, Steve. “Sociological Perspectives on Religion”. Sociology: Comprehensive Edition (v. 1.0), 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/sociology-comprehensive-edition/s20-03-sociological-perspectives-on-r.html>.
“Sociological Theories of Religion”. Cliff Notes. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/sociology/religion/sociological-theories-of-religion>.
Alberoni, Francesco and Veca, Salvatore. O altruísmo e a moral. 5th ed. Trans. Maria da Graça Sarmento. Braga: Bertrand Editora, 2000. Print.
Peterson, Daniel. “Defending the Faith: Sociologist explains how religion benefits even atheists”. Deseret News, 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865587083/Sociologist-explains-how-religion-benefits-even-atheists.html?pg=all>.
