Comparing Perspectives of Marx, Durkheim and Weber on Religion. Major Similarities and Differences

Scientific Essay from the year 2018 in the subject Sociology - Religion, grade: A, Addis Ababa University (Department of Sociology), course: Sociological theories I: classical perspectives, language: English, abstract: This essay is trying to shortly put forward major similarities and differences of the theories of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber in the formation and application of religion as an instrument to human life and the contributions it facilitates to the existence and survival of societies in general. Above all the attempts to scientifically theorizing religious institutions within a sociological paradigm is the major contribution of the then social thinkers, and that fact will be highlighted shortly in the next few pages of the essay. Religion is the most persistent, social institution to pass and adjust itself in the position of the ages and its power is still controlling the activities of the world by one or the other way round. It is not all the fabric that led to the continuity of religion as an institution, but also the conducive environment of interpreting what the dogmas of different religions and their effects is still a controversial issue. The prominent social theorists utterly attainted their discourse on religion side by side with other social issues. The concern of different interpretations relied on the fact that the role and impact of religious thoughts had been shaping the world outlook. Thus, in the complicated sense what was asserted in relation to religion is still an important observation and the need for its narration is as important as it was before.

Yakob Tilahun Yimer is an Ethiopian who previously worked as a Social Affairs Researcher & Senior Policy Researcher (Governance Affairs) in the Office of the Legislative House of Ethiopia and currently works as a Senior Social Safeguard Expert at the World Bank-financed GEQIP-E Progam in the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. Regarding his educational background, he has earned a B.A degree in Psychology, a B.A degree in Sociology, and an M.A. degree in Social Psychology from Addis Ababa University.