The structural and functional aspects of religion are rooted in Emile Durkheim's approach to religion. Durkheim argues that religion is in the sense of celebration and even the self-worship of humans in society. From the perception, Durkheim gave a proposal suggesting that there are three primary functions of religion. The functions include the provision of social cohesion to maintain the solidarity of people living in the community. The solidarity will be in achievement since the people residing in the same society share common beliefs and rituals (Koch, 2017). The second function is to establish social control to enforce the religious-based morals and norms within the community. Durkheim's last function is that religion functions to create norms that are key in maintaining conformity and ensuring they're in control over the operations taking place in society. Durkheim considers religion in the structural and functional approach and places himself in the positivist tradition and creates a perception of religion. The main concern for Durkheim was how modern societies managed to be together. The attributes of religion are towards the physical, social and mental well-being of an individual in the society (Aird, 2015). The presents and argument are stipulating that religion is the reason for social cohesion.
Civil religion shares some features of religion, as described by Durkheim. Civil religion is the implicit religious values that are existent in a nation, and they are expressed through public rituals and symbols. One of the standard features between civil religion and that described by Durkheim is the religion's complex nature. According to Durkheim, there are fewer complex societies, and they tend to have less complex religious systems (Shilling and Mellor, 2011). The same applies to civil religion as there are countries with a structure that are not complicated. That makes their actions values to be less complicated. When societies contact each other, there is a high chance that religion will emphasize universalism. But when there is a division of labor, people appear to be more critical, and the systems will focus more on individual contributions. The same in the situation in civil religion and the role that each person plays in the cohesion is a crucial consideration. For instance, in civil religion, it is possible to use religion to justify terrorism or violence. The act is wrong, but it is still a way of enhancing social cohesion in civil society. The social cohesion in the terrorist groups is very high, but it is a religion that creates the conflict without figuring the implications towards society members.
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For example, there are various terrorist groups in the country. Some of the groups include Al-Shabab, Al-Qaeda, and the Jamaat al Dawah al Quran. The various religious groups fight in the name of religion. Islam is the common religion between the various terrorist groups. The group members have similar religious beliefs, which is what is enhancing the people's cohesion. The members are together as they have a common religious goal and believe. They even justify their actions based on their religious beliefs. The belief is that Islamic is the only true religion and should be endorsed by everyone worldwide. The existence of the society is because of the religion believe that is adamant in creating the cohesion and keeping the people together. The members have control over the groups, and that creates solidarity. The example might be overlooking the religious dysfunctions and be a criticism of Durkheim's approach. However, it indicates how beliefs and everyday norms are fundamental in the maintenance of the needed cohesion.
Consider another example of catholic believers. The believers from a society based on their practices and standard norms. For instance, there is the immaculate conception of the virgin Mary and the bodily assumption. At the same time, all Christians believe that there was an immaculate conception of Jesus Christ, the catholic believers that Mary equally had a miraculous conception at the same time. They also believe that the body was taken into heaven when she came to the end of her eternal life. Form the belief there is the creation of a society where people direct their sufferings and obligations to the Virgin Mary so that she can pray for them. They always have to gather for a mass, and the congregation is a service for the Virgin Mary. It is the same believes that Durkheim instituted in the society that translated to the creation of the civil religion, which is nationwide and more rooted in the aspects that Durkheim was discussing in his interpretation.
An example of a civil religion that resembles Durkheim's arguments is the authority of God's president. Many people believe that elected leaders have the authority that is bestowed by God. The belief is that God chooses leaders, and that is why they have God's authority. Naturally, the people go to the ballot boxes and cast their votes to elect a leader. Some of the leaders might oppress the citizens, while others may act in favor of helping those in need. Durkheim's argument has the feature of universality in a common belief among the people of a country. It is from the similarity in a feature that creates a civil religion where social justice cannot just be based on law. Instead, there is a need to incorporate some aspects of religion.
References
Aird, R. (2015). Emile Durkheim and Thomas Luckman: Religion, pots-Christian spirituality and mental health. In: Collyer F. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Social Theory in Mental, Illness and Medicine. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Koch, A. (2017). Introduction: Revisiting civil religion from an aesthetic point of view. Journal of Religion in Europe, 10 (1), 1-15.
Shilling, C., & Mellor, P. (2011). Retheorizing Emile Durkheim on society and religion: Embodied, intoxication and collective life. Journal of Sociological Review, 59 (1), 17-41.
