Does Religion Lead to a Home? Durkheim and the Challenge of Modernity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62051/88aby924Keywords:
Émile Durkheim; Sociology of Religion; Modernity; Divine Society.Abstract
In modern society, scientism and technological rationality have deconstructed traditional religions, while the atomization of individuals has progressively weakened the bonds between individuals and society. As religion’s ultimate concern and community belonging fade, many people find themselves trapped in spiritual emptiness, with the modern individual’s “home” at risk of vanishing. Resolving this crisis of faith requires reconsidering whether religion can fulfill the function of providing a spiritual home. Émile Durkheim’s concept of a Divine Society offers a distinctive perspective on this issue. This paper begins by exploring the phenomena of rationalization, individualization, and secularization in modern society, building on Durkheim’s assertion that “the essence of religion is society” to examine the relationship between religion and the human spiritual homeland. It first analyzes the formation of the sacred-profane dichotomy in The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, highlighting the link between the sacred and authority. Next, it delves into the impact of scientism on religion, presenting a dialogue between Weber’s disenchantment and Durkheim’s re-enchantment. Using the feasibility and limitations of the divine society as a starting point, this study investigates how religion can guide individuals toward a spiritual home in modern society. The transfer of divinity and the trend of individualization reflect society’s capacity for self-repair. Constructing a spiritual home must adapt to contemporary social conditions, enabling individuals’ ultimate concerns to reintegrate into communities. This process facilitates a dynamic, balanced symbiosis between society and individuals, moving beyond a unilateral relationship of authority and submission.
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