Robert Bellah: Argument Analysis

Introduction

According to an American Sociologist Robert Bella, “Religion is a set of symbolic forms and acts which relate man to the ultimate conditions of his existence” (Qur'an At-L 0.9-11). It is seen as the most significant distinguishing feature of religious adherents of functionalism. From this perspective, the problem addressed by religion is fundamental: they are faced by any society at any stage of development, regardless of the social system, development level of science and technology. In this definition, religion is essentially identified with the main content of the culture. According to this definition, what is most fundamental in the culture, a religion. Religion, by definition, must be regarded as a decisive force in social development. The statement said we consider these obvious truths: that all men are created equal, that their creator has endowed with inalienable rights that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The men is responsible for the birth of the new American nation made it clear that the rights they had listed does not derive from government, but they had their origin in the nature of the human person. So, in simple words we can say that Robert Bella has talked about religious symbolism.

Discussion

Now, in this paper, I would analyze Islam as a religion in the context of Robert Bella definition of Religion. Islam is a religion that rest on strong symbols. For the purpose, following are some of the important religious symbols for Muslims (Dolgin et.al,1977)

In this definition Islam therefore, includes beliefs (myths), i.e., a faith that helps one to understand, explain, and some way to streamline your life, faith itself is a unique phenomenon, which involves the credibility of some object, event, the principle of or being as the embodiment of values ??and a source of meaning in life, ...