A Sociological Approach to the Concept of God

The concept of God has been marginalized in the sociology of religion for a long time. But with the new approaches in the sociology of religion, it has regained its importance. The present article, with an emphasis on the concept of God as one of the most fundamental concepts of sociology of religion and with a sociological extrinsic approach, intends to examine the origin, dynamics and social effects of the concept of God. The concept of God is not the same as the transcendental existence of God and the two should not be confused, because it is our concept and image of God which changes and evolves not the transcendental existence of God which is free from change and evolvement. The results of the study indicate that, in addition to thepsychological and anthropological origins, the sociological concept of God, in a dialectical relationship, is both the product of various social structures and conditions and at the same time the causes of great changes in it. Throughout the history of human social life, this concept has changed and evolved and the changes can be seen in the enlightenment, modern and postmodern eras. Advocates of the reconstruction of the concept of God have emphasized the appropriate new understanding of God consistent with new conditions of human beings, the society and the world.