Final answer:
Religion is universally found across human societies and is defined by scholars like Durkheim as a unified system of sacred beliefs and practices forming a moral community, and by Geertz as a system of meaningful symbols. Sociologists study this complex institution using theoretical perspectives such as functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religion, in various forms, is a universal element of human societies and serves as a complex social institution that involves a set of beliefs, values, and practices related to sacred or spiritual concerns. Pioneer sociologist Émile Durkheim defined religion as "a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things," which essentially creates a moral community, commonly referred to as a church. On the other hand, anthropologist Clifford Geertz sees religion as a system of symbols that shapes individuals' moods, motivations, and overall worldview. Besides these theoretical definitions, modern sociologists use major perspectives like functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory to analyze and understand the role and impact of religion in society and individual lives.
- Émile Durkheim's empirically-based definition as a system involving sacred things, beliefs, and social practices.
- Clifford Geertz's abstract definition as a system of symbols with emotional and motivational impacts on one's identity and existence.
Sociologists apply perspectives like functionalism, which assesses the societal functions of religion, symbolic interactionism, which looks at daily interactions and symbols in religious practices, and conflict theory, which examines the power dynamics and potential inequalities propagated by religious institutions.