Religion on the Threshold. Georg Simmel's Theory of Religion and its Relevance for the Current Sociology of Religion

Whereas the classic works of the sociology of religion by Max Weber and Emile Durkheim are widely read, Georg Simmel's approach to the theory of religion offers potentials that remain to be raised. His sociology of religion constitutes to a certain extent an anticipative synthesis of the views brought forward by Thomas Luckmann and Niklas Luhmann in that he combines perspectives associated with the theory of individuality with analyses of the inherent logic of fully differentiated societal spheres. This article contextualizes Simmel's theory of religion in his overall work. It carries on by analysing the different strata of this theory: (psycho-)sociological approach, cultural studies and philosophy of life. Finally, it deals with the relevance of the Simmelian approach for the current sociology of religion, examining the evolution of religion and religiosity by means of Simmel's motive of 'axial rotation' and the concept of asceticism as the foundation of the religious self. Adapted from the source document.