These Sects or Cults often receive a large amount of publicity for the actions or traditions they may have. You also might want to check out the sites I found about Atheism or Agnosticism. Religious Theories and Sociologist's Many different sociologist's have come up with their own theories about religion. Durkheim, who was a structural functionalist, for example, defined three different categories within religion that people use in society. These are 1.
Religion unites people through shared symbolism, values, and norms.
In medieval Europe, in fact, monarchs claimed to rule by divine right. Today, our leaders publicly ask for God's blessing, implying to audiences that their efforts are just. Strengthened by such beliefs, people are less likely to collapse in despair when confronted by life's calamities. Notes on Emile Durkheim's Theory of the Origin of Religion has more information on Durkheim's theory of religion. Karl Marx, a theorist in Social Conflict, on the other hand believed that religion added to social inequality.