A Comparison of the Functional Explanation Method of Sociologists and Religious Scholars in the Realm of Religious Study

Functional method is among the methods used by many religious scholars. This paper aims at distinguishing between the functional method of religious scholars and sociologists, for both of them use the same method while the results are different and even opposing. The use of functional method by sociologists results in secularization of religion by losing its functionality or by becoming specific to an age. The use of the functional method by religious scholars, however, results in rigidity and permanence of religion. What has created such a difference is a limited reading of functionality by functionalists. They have interpreted the functions of religion from religious perspective, restricting it to specifically worldly functions. Accordingly, due to fulfillment of this function through other ways, they have claimed there is no need to religion anymore. On the contrary, for the religious scholars, the realm of functionality is much poader. This reading has its roots in the very religious teachings. In principle, for religious scholars, the main function of religion is fulfilling those needs which human beings are unable to fulfill in any other ways. The changeable functions meant by sociologists are accidental functions of religion, not its principal purpose. As a result, religion will always be present as far as functionality is concerned.