Critical Sociology(ies) of Religion: Unity in Diversity?

This paper sets out to examine the diverse interpretations of a "critical sociology of religion" as proposed by various scholars. Some have argued that scholars should avoid acting as guardians or protectors of their object of study, advocating instead for a more critical stance that positions them as cultural critics (McCutcheon 2001). Others emphasize the roles religion plays in both oppression and emancipation, arguing that a value-based perspective evaluates religion in relation to key principles such as democracy, freedom, equality, justice, and inclusion (Goldstein 2009). Hjelm (2014) suggests that a critical sociology of religion should investigate how religion contributes to the reproduction or transformation of social inequalities. Meanwhile, Altglas and Wood (2018) propose a reflexive approach, seeking to distance critical sociology from the belief systems within the religious field itself. Advocating the return of the social into the study of religion, they also view religion as a lens through which broader social dynamics can be understood. This paper will explore the differences and shared points among these perspectives, particularly their common focus on social power and its role in the study of religion. Finally, it will consider whether a unified agenda for this approach to the subfield might be possible.