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If religion has given birth to all that is essential in society, it is because the idea of society is the soul of religion.
Emile Durkheim
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Religion and society are interdependent, with religion shaping societal values and serving as its essence.

This quote by Emile Durkheim emphasizes the fundamental connection between religion and society. It suggests that religion is not only a product of social dynamics but also a crucial component that gives rise to the core values and structure necessary for society to thrive. The 'soul' of religion, in this context, refers to the deep, intrinsic idea of community and moral responsibility that binds individuals together, highlighting the transformative role religion plays in shaping societal norms and collective behavior.

Themes

ReligionSocietyValuesCommunityMorality

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote in a discussion about the impact of religion on social structures.

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A society whose members are united by the fact that they think in the same way in regard to the sacred world and its relations with the profane world, and by the fact that they translate these common ideas into common practices, is what is called a Church. In all history, we do not find a single religion without a Church.
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The human person, whose definition serves as the touchstone according to which good must be distinguished from evil, is considered as sacred, in what one might call the ritual sense of the word. It has something of that transcendental majesty which the churches of all times have given to their Gods.
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