Yaksh ChaudharyAIR 6 · CSE 2021 · 178 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Emile Durkheim defined religion as a body of beliefs and practices related to sacred, that is forbidden and kept apart; beliefs and practices which unites people into a single overarchical grouping called church.
Body · points and prose
Durkheim argues that, through religion, the people worship their own society.
morality of society rituals → Religion
In contemporary times, with the emergence of Nation-state, Countries try to bind and integrate society through common symbols like - National flag, National anthem etc.
Hence the concept of totem is valid here. National flag, songs etc. act as totem to worship the society itself and encourage solidarity (organic) in a diversified society.
The worship of idols in religions like Hinduism can also be explained by the totemic worship concept.
The festivals of society like- Holi, Id, Christmas etc. bring people together and in turn the integrity in the society is enhanced.
Peter Berger and Luckman Robert Bellah argues that emergence of "civil religion" where citizens worship the society is similar to Durkheim's religion.
Close · a summary
Hence contemporary times have many facets which can be explained by Durkheim.