Rethinking the Big Names of Sociology and Their Take on Religion

The idea that famous sociologists like Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim were all about secularization might not be as straightforward as it seems. Over time, people have assumed these thinkers were on the same page, predicting religion's decline. But let's take a closer look.

Different Views on Religion

Karl Marx

• Saw religion as a tool used by those in power to keep people in line.
• Thought that as societies progressed, religion would fade away.
• Focused more on societal changes and the role of religion in that process.

Max Weber

• Believed that religion could drive social change.
• Examined how different religions influenced people's actions and beliefs.
• Saw religion as a shaping force in societal development.

Emile Durkheim

• Viewed religion as a way for societies to come together.
• Emphasized social cohesion and community formation through religion.
• Thought religion was important for binding people together.

The Assumption of Agreement

These sociologists didn't all agree on what would happen to religion. They had different ideas about its role in society. The assumption that they all predicted secularization might not hold up under scrutiny.

Raising Questions

This raises some interesting questions:

• If these big names in sociology didn't all agree, why do people think they did?
• What does that say about how we understand secularization today?