Sociology of Religion in Modern World

The sociology of religion as a sub-discipline of sociology has emerged in western European historical context at the time of scientific, industrial and French revolutions. First, the Comtean Principles were adopted by some positivistic intellectuals. Political - ideological context has been influential on the developments of sociology of religion, at the same time it is affected by it. In the first stage of development of sociology of religion there is a struggle between dominant ideological views of that are and the scientific understanding of this sub-discipline. In an environment with upheavals in Europe sociology emerged to explain social change and social order. Auguste Comte is considered to be founder of sociology, especially as a name father. In contrast to the general idea related to the origin of sociology and within this the sociology of religion, the real founder of it is sociologist, historian, social scientist and philosopher Tunisian Ibn Khaldun who lived at the time of 14th century. In his Muqaddimah he laid out the principles for a new discipline called ilm al-umran al-bashari (the science of human organization) or al-ijtima al-insani (the science of human society) (Spickart 2017:149-55). Ibn Khaldun aims to discover the patterns of social living associated with religion based on historical data. Comparing Ibn Khaldun and Durkheim both of them thought that religion plays an important role on social life. But there are differences on their views. Ibn Khaldun's approach about religion is close to substantive to society definition. He gives priority to the supernatural domain as an explanation to society. But Durkheim's priority is on the functional definition of religion, so as a product of society religion's role in creating social solidarity tribal units. Ibn Khaldun's approach shows that his thesis was explanative of the relationship between religion and social structure than Durkheim's views at the same time, Ibn Khaldun's analysis about the religion and economics, he is the precursor of Marx and Weber. The centrality of religion in theories of the founding fathers like Marx, Weber and Durkheim ways very clear. Durkheim as an architect of functionalist theory of religion was mainly concerned with the role of religion as a force for social integration in society. Weber based on historical data examined the interaction between Protestantism and the rise of capitalism. Prior to the work of weber and Durkheim, the leading sociologist like Comte and Marx had viewed religion as a relic of past so declared the obituary of religion. According