How Does The Elementary Form Of Religion

In Durkheim’s “Elementary forms of Religious life”, he studies the aborigines in Australia in order to understand the simplest form of religion. In studying their form of religion, he finds that a religion at its most basic forms needs three basic components satisfied: an idea of the sacred and profane, a set of rites and rituals, and a moral community. The aborigines have a religion based around a totem, or a sacred symbol that represents their division of society. This symbolic form of religion is known as a totemic religion. The aborigines divide their society into tribes, and within each tribe is a clan, which is a group of ten to twenty people. Their moral community is exclusive to a clan, but also extends to the entire tribe. Those

Even in the clans of a different totem, they have some level of respect for other totems because of their connection to the other clans and tribes. In Durkheim’s theory, the totem represents the “certain identifiable force,” or spirit, that animates those who hold it sacred. Not only is the totem a representation of moral beliefs, but it is also a physical force. The aborigines associate different occurrences in the world with a totem in a similar way to Greek or Roman mythology. For example, trees growing may be associated with the power of a particular totem. This force will outlive all who believe in it. This totem is celebrated in various rituals that the group will participate in. This simultaneous participation in the ritual is known as collective effervescence, and its purpose is to unify the group. The totem is simply a collection of the beliefs that their society regards as

It allows others to know what beliefs are associated with its followers. The totem provides meaning to those associated with it, and it groups together the believers. The believers of a particular religion can be brought together by a totem because they are including and given meaning. This fights exclusion within a group and trust. Knowing that someone shares your beliefs forms a trust, and thus social cohesion as a result. Another source of social cohesion is the participation in rites and rituals associated with totemic religions. Social is facilitated through the actions and common beliefs that are represented through rites and rituals. For example, in order for a ceremony or ritual to run smoothly and be done appropriately, followers of a totem must act together. This cooperation is one way in which social cohesion results. Another way is through collective effervescence. Collective effervescence is Durkheim’s idea that individuals participating in a ritual will experience the same feelings and emotions, which results in the unification of individuals. During the rare occasion that a ritual is occurring, the energy and spirits are high, which give the members of the clan a collective meaning and purpose. This shared feeling, meaning and purpose is what provides for social