This week, you’ll use Durkheim, Marx, or Giddens’ definitions and theories to think about what kinds of organizations can be categorized as religions. A PDF document is attached below profiles three groups or practices: the Church of Body Modification, Satanism, and Scientology. Read over the descriptions and choose ONE group to write about for your post. 200 words minimum.
First Post
- Identify the organization you chose to write about. Is this organization a religion according to the sociological definition? Why or why not? (Note: you may use Durkheim’s definition from the textbook or any other sociological definition.)
- What type of religion is it (ecclesia, denomination, sect, new religious movement)? If you decided that it is not a religion, what type does it most closely resemble? Explain your choice.
- How would a functionalist theorist understand and discuss this organization?
- How would a conflict theorist understand and discuss this organization?
Sociology 6