Version 1
: Received: 26 February 2024 / Approved: 27 February 2024 / Online: 27 February 2024 (15:55:26 CET)
How to cite:
Salihu, O.; Baidoo, S. Religion's Role in Societal Dynamics: From Symbolic Interpretations to the Power Dynamics of Civil Religion. Preprints2024, 2024021569. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1569.v1
Salihu, O.; Baidoo, S. Religion's Role in Societal Dynamics: From Symbolic Interpretations to the Power Dynamics of Civil Religion. Preprints 2024, 2024021569. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1569.v1
Salihu, O.; Baidoo, S. Religion's Role in Societal Dynamics: From Symbolic Interpretations to the Power Dynamics of Civil Religion. Preprints2024, 2024021569. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1569.v1
APA Style
Salihu, O., & Baidoo, S. (2024). Religion's Role in Societal Dynamics: From Symbolic Interpretations to the Power Dynamics of Civil Religion. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1569.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Salihu, O. and Selina Baidoo. 2024 "Religion's Role in Societal Dynamics: From Symbolic Interpretations to the Power Dynamics of Civil Religion" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1569.v1
Abstract
This paper examines the sociological impact of religion in society across three dimensions. It defines religion through Durkheim's perspective, explores the socio-psychological effects based on Mehan, Wood, Merton, and Fanoz, and delves into religious symbolism drawing from Geertz and Bellah. Emphasizing moral values in religious beliefs, the paper argues that societies rely on religion for social order. Using the Azande tribe as a case study, it illustrates the subjective nature of reality and the link between religious rituals and community harmony. This paper addresses historical suppression during colonialism, discusses Fanon's insights, explores Geertz's symbolic interactionist perspective, and analyzes Civil Religion, highlighting its potential political misuse in the American context. Ultimately, it recognizes religion's influential role in shaping societal dynamics and human interpretations while acknowledging the importance of moral values and symbols.
Keywords
religion; civil religion; reality; symbols; and moral values
Subject
Social Sciences, Sociology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
