"Durkheim's understanding of religion, like any other social theory, emerged and had greater relevance in a particular 'social context'." Critically analyze the statement

Durkheim analyses religion as a social fact. He defines it as a body of beliefs and a set of practices related to sacred objects. This binds people together to form a single moral community.

Durkheim studies totemism when analysing the Arunta tribe of Australia. He finds out that for the tribe, their totems act as a sense of identity, a knowledge giving experience, and the rituals involve a sense of euphoria which lead to strengthened social bonds of the society. Religion ultimately abides by the conscience collective and reinforces it in the minds of the people.

Ultimately, he realises that religion is fundamentally about the society

itself. It is spiritualized patriotism, way more broad than just organised religion. It involves a deep devotion towards society, often represented by symbols which become sacred, for eg. the national flag, or the constitution.

These sacred objects are a matter of faith and demand respect from the followers of the religion. Since society gives people meaning, identity, purpose, fulfilment of all their needs - society is god.

Clearly, Durkheim posits that religion is functional and desirable, not just in primitive societies but also complex societies.

However, Durkheim is conducting his analysis in post war America, where the society has no major divisions and he is analysing one particular community which uses religion in a functional manner. This is not always true:

→ Malinowski gives examples of tribes in New south Wales that use totems to divide people along several identities.

→ Runciman : Durkheim does not explain the rise of sects, cults, religious revivalism in contemporary society. The rise in fundamentalism and religious intolerance shows that religion can just as easily be used to divide people.

→ Peter Berger is a phenomenologist who criticises Durkheim's analysis of religion as being too focused on the conscience collective. However, religion is a personal experience and as such may be utilised differently