The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (Émile Durkheim)

Émile Durkheim’s *The Elementary Forms of Religious Life* explores how religion serves as a foundation for social cohesion. He argues that religious beliefs and rituals unite communities by creating a collective sense of belonging and shared morality. Durkheim examines Indigenous Australian beliefs as a starting point, suggesting that symbols, sacred objects, and ceremonies reinforce social bonds and reinforce societal values. Overall, he sees religion not just as spiritual but as a vital social institution that sustains and strengthens group cohesion and identity.