Emile Durkheim looks at social solidarity and the role that division of labor plays in in these societies. She displays that there are two distinct groups, but both groups are transforming and share some similar characteristics. These groups are different, but the people within the groups are human beings. The thing that separates us is the people that we associate with and look to for advice. Durkheim tries to find the characteristics belong to each group, and how those within the group are identified with those characteristics, although they could be used by both groups. Things like religion and the reactions that are held with this primitive belief are the key focus in shaping the division of labor.
In all of these readings, I see a grey area in which Durkheim is trying to show the separation in classes, yet mentions numerous times that the different groups share common species that are very similar. Especially after reading the title Division of Labor, I assumed that the readings would be focusing on how everyone is different, but I was taken by surprised with the continued look at the similarities between the groups.
While reading these readings, and in particular Elementary Forms, I got to the thinking about the impact that religion has on society. It is one place where divisions in society should be overlooked. In a religious setting, everyone is supposed to be a son or daughter of God. I myself go to church, and over the past few years, I have noticed that every month we get a summary of how much money the church received that month, and how much was needed. There is also a mass that happens yearly that talks about how much you should be donating each week. If you want to get married in the church, or be a God parent of a new member of the church, they will look through the envelopes to see if you have been attending church and donating. This shows a division of those that attend church and give money and those that do not. Therefore even in this sacred place, where we should be equal, we still see a division of labor.
I completely agree with what you're saying about there being a division in the church even though it is supposed to be sacred-but I think people overlook the biggest division in the church settting. God is the number one, people gather at a church or wherever to worship Him, but then other religious figures form a wider division between the congregation and God--you have your priests and ministers who act as a bridge between the commoner and God. This creates a religious hierarchy and you're right, we should all be equal, specifically in this setting, and are not.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that places of worship should remain undisturbed by the divisions Durkheim speaks of. It's in our constitution (though not in so many words) that the state and the church should be separate. However, that line arguably has never been clear.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually surprised at your experience, Melanie, because I have not found mine to be similar! I can't say my church has ever told the congregation about any of their expense/revenue stats. And especially I've never encountered an issue of donations to the church being a factor to becoming a God Parent. I'm not trying to say you're wrong, only that I'm surprised and shocked by your findings!
I have had similar experiences as you have described with the church collecting and expecting money (the Catholic church that is). As it has been stated, by commodifying religion, social divisions are created. I think it's a shame that such economic hierarchies are established and reinforced in the religious context.
ReplyDeleteMy interpretation of Durkheim's ideas is that although religions are different they exist to fulfill the same purpose. However, in the context described above, I feel religions have different purposes, whether they be economic or spiritual.
Church has, for the most part, been an agent of alienation. I think people in our generation are becoming disenchanted with this context and have resorted to what the Depeche Mode described as a "Personal Jesus."
ReplyDeleteFurther, the element of belief seems to be very reflexive and is conducted for the sake of itself. Many have described our era as being a "post-ideological" one, where the element of religion has either manifested in an abstract expression of faith or a very materialized abstraction such as a suicide bomber blowing him/herself for Allah or a reverend burning the Quran. These elements of religion are much rooted into a dislocated reality of religion. I think the personalization of faith has created an alternative that has not been fully accepted. II think with the advent of the internet, religions have a large adversary, information.