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A society whose members are united by the fact that they think in the same way in regard to the sacred world and its relations with the profane world, and by the fact that they translate these common ideas into common practices, is what is called a Church. In all history, we do not find a single religion without a Church.
Emile Durkheim
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote explains that a Church is formed by a society united in shared beliefs and practices regarding the sacred and the profane.

Emile Durkheim's quote highlights the essential role that collective beliefs and shared understandings play in forming a religious community, or Church. He emphasizes that throughout history, every religion has had some form of institutional structure that reflects the common ideas and practices of its members, illustrating the importance of social cohesion and shared values in the development of religious institutions.

Themes

ChurchSocietyBeliefsReligionCollective

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a discussion about the role of religious institutions in society.

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