Is religion part of a people's culture in sociological terms?

Question

I have heard certain practices eg wearing of hijab by Muslim women described as "not religious but cultural" and wondered whether this is a valid contrast as sociologists understand culture
Of course I don't question that they are distinct things

Answer 1

Religion does impact one's cultural make-up. To argue that wearing a certain style of clothes is strictly religious is faulty, even in this case. Foreigners (for the extreme) are often encouraged to dress accordingly because it is the culturally accepted norm in those countries. The visitors are not of that religion though.

So, all though it may have roots in the religious it has crossed that boundary and has become part of the overarching culture for the area, as many things do.

Answer 2

Religion is often central to peoples cultural practises, and therefore religion can be seen to be embedded in culture. Take for example Indian "culture" which cannot be even looked at without knowing about Hinduism.

Hijab came about long before Mohamed, as, for example, it was worn by mother Mary (a Jew) and by many women (both before and after her time) throughout the middle east, southern Europe and northern Europe, and therefore is a cultural item that then became a part of a religious practice.
Catholic women were until fairly recently made to wear black head scarves when entering church and even to this day in Italy and Spain we see Catholic widows wearing these black scarves.

Answer 3

The phrasing distorts how sociologists view this.


Religious beliefs, institutions, and practices are part of a scociety's culture. Wearing certain cloths, symbols, etc. Are part of culture. In the case of your example, the custom is religious in its meaning--but its not "either" religion or culture.

Answer 4

I think that such things were often originally religious but have now become cultural as the concept of there being a god or supreme being has lost much credence. People still wear and do things that they are comfortable with, for example many people wear a christian cross as a fashion item without being a christian....many Indians wear a turban to keep their hair clean without them being a Hindu.

Answer 5

Yes.

Basically often (usually over vast periods) cultures can be defined by certain religions.

Religion is also one of the secondary socialising agents of society. (giving people morals and values and sets of behaviour.)

That specific example of the hijab is cultural because it is not a 'rule' defined in the koran, (their religious text) but a societal and tribal rule.

Answer 6

A Marxixst would view religion as a way of controlling the masses in order to aid capitalism and a functionalist would view it as part of the mechanisms for a smooth running society,, therfore with religion being so deeply rooted in peoples culture for whatever benefit I would argue that it is.

Answer 7

It could be. By the same token, the past tribal / cultural practise of tattooing ones body (+ face and arms) had cultural / religious significances. Apart from some 'fashion fad or fancy' of today, I often wonder just what is the justification for this practise in the European today?

Sash.

Answer 8

Its sense part cause any one have sense towards who creates all this world and he must wander

so from here we have religion and many people know the truth of creator and others is not , but it have to be just one religion

thanks