Write a critical note on weberian approach to study religion.
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Answer:
Weber's main concerned was to what extent religious conception of the world of existence have influenced the economic behaviour of various societies and specially the western society. Weber says that Calvinist sect of protestant Christian religion has strongest influences on the development of capitalism
Religion being a pervasive and universal institution is deeply rooted in human beings. It is not just a strict institution but also exerts a tremendous influence upon all other institutions. Many sociologists and anthropologists were fascinated by the mystic side of religion. Weber therefore was no exception.
What Weber was concerned within the sociology of religion was not religion on everyday life, on political, administrative, economic and moral behaviour in different historical situations that he tried to understand and reduces to order. His study says that religion which is based on cultural needs of man has now added new dimensions to human life and human development.
Weber suggested that the protestant institution and its ethics have played an important role in the development of their economy. This idea of weber has been beautifully described in his highly acclaimed book, “Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism” (1905). In the book Weber gives a prolong description of his kind of religion.