Theology and Sociology

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

While I agree that theology isn’t exactly a sub-discipline of sociology, the two do appear inextricably linked: theology is the study of religious beliefs and the possible justifications for them, and the impact of religious belief on society, for good or ill, can’t be discounted.

Boru

Hi Boru,

Thanks for joining the discussion.

Sure, I would agree they are linked. “inextricably” seems a bit much. For example, Sociology is much, much more than just religious beliefs. The object of study is, as I understand it, all of human behavior. And the focus of Theology can best be understood as the act of thinking deeply about God/gods. Thus, the object of study is God and his revelation. It too is much more than just the study of religious beliefs. In fact, Religious Studies would be the term that, I think, would be more appropriate to the way y’all are using Theology.

Of course, you may be able to find departments who equate Theology with Religious Studies or put it under Sociology. Nowadays, you can find just about anything.

And I get that for someone who doesn’t think God/gods exist, then Theology likely devolves into social behavior.

In general, I think we are in agreement here, just different in magnitude. I think the Venn diagram of Theology and Sociology would have a small intersection. I take it that you all would make it much larger.

Of course sociology is much more than religious beliefs - I don’t think anyone can sensibly dispute that. But it seems difficult (if not impossible) to study a society (sociology) without taking religion into account. To do so, it’s not only needful to study what people believe (religion), but why they believe it (theology).

I’m not saying that theology is the most important part of sociology, or even a major part. But I do think it’s a vital part - attempting to understand a society without considering why it believes what it believes does a disservice to both.

Boru