The following points highlight the two important theories regarding the evolution of religion. The theories are: 1. Animism 2. Naturism. Theory # 1. Animism: According to animism, the idea of the soul (anima) is central to religion. Hence the name animism. According to E.B. Tylor, primitive man hit upon the idea of soul because of an error. In his dreams, [...]
In this article we will discuss about the magical approach of life. Introduction to Magical Approach: There are two ways of tiding over various crises of life. One is the religious approach which means worshipping and offering prayers to the Higher Power in order to earn Divine grace. The other is the magical approach which is a system of manipulation [...]
In this article we will discuss about the views of various sociologists on religion. Emile Durkheim on Religion: The sociological theory of religion, which Durkheim developed in his book The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, was inspired by Marx's celebrated idea that the social existence of men determines their social consciousness. Durkheim does not, however, keep himself limited to socio-economic [...]