SOSYOLOJİYE GİRİŞ

Weber theorized that Calvinism fostered the Protestant ethic of hard work and asceticism and that Protestantism was an important influence on the development of capitalism. Calvinism is rooted in the concept of predestination, which means that before people are born, some of them are selected for heaven and others for hell. Nothing anyone does in this world, Calvinists believe, can change this. The Calvinists consequently were eager to find out whether they were among those chosen for salvation. Worldly success—especially the financial success that grew out of strict discipline, hard work, and self-control—was regarded as proof that a person was among the select few. Money was accumulated not to be spent but to be displayed as proof of being among the chosen. Capitalist virtues became Calvinist virtues. It was Weber’s view that even though capitalism existed before Calvinist influence; it blossomed only with the advent of Calvinism.

According to Durkheim, all societies have a continuing need to reaffirm and uphold their basic sentiments and values. This is accomplished when people come together and communally proclaim their acceptance of the dominant belief system. In this way, people are bound to one another, and as a result, the stability of the society is strengthened. Not only does religion in itself bring about social cohesion, but often, the hostility and prejudice directed at its members by outsiders also helps strengthen bonds between those members. Durkheim believes that religion strengthens the unity of society and promotes solidarity.

The sociologist, of course, is not concerned with the truth or falsity of any given religion; s/he only takes an objective look at religion
(its functions, social foundations, and social consequences.) He does not study religion per se, but the effect of religious beliefs and practices on the social and cultural systems, socialization process, and personality development.

The countries with the highest religious diversity are mostly in the Asian-Pacific.

According to Freud, religion develops from the need to ward off the horrors of nature; particularly the cruelty of death and also to
compensate for the deprivations which culture imposes on the individual.

Correct option is A

Options B, C, D and E  functionalist theory

Marx believed religion provided comfort for the poor, and drew their attention away from their present misery and the inequalities and injustices of this world with promises of a future, golden life after death. Religion, as claimed by Marx, serves ruling elites by legitimizing the status quo and diverting people’s attention from the social inequities of society.Correct option is D. The idea that 'society is more powerful than the individual' belongs to Durkheim.

Correct option is A

He saw religion as a source of social stability ( Durkheim).

He believed that religion is always shaped by economic factors (Marx).

He believed religion is a popular reaction to oppression (Marx).

He believed religion strengthens the unity of society and promotes solidarity ( Freud).

According to Berger and Luckmann, religion helps to build, maintain and legitimate universes of meaning. Berger and Luckmann argue that religion is probably the most effective mechanism for the legitimation of universes of meaning. Religion is produced by members of society subjectively interpreting and giving meaning to the world around them.

The rational choice theory was  developed by American Sociologists Roger Finke, Rodney Stark and Willams S. Bainbridge.

August Comte, pioneering French sociologist as a founder of discipline of sociology, suggests that human history passed through three stages, namely, theological, metaphysical and positive stage. Each stage was characterized by a different set of intellectual beliefs.