Our attempt to study about and understand religion is located within the broader sociological frames of reference in a spirit of open and willing engagement with other disciplines. As a learning community, we aim to engage available perspectives in sociology and other social sciences in order to highlight the dynamics of religion and its interaction with the larger society. In doing this, we endea
vor to bring the sociology of religion to the wider public, believing that it contributes toward the formation of opinions and selection of courses of action in people’s lives. Religion can be defined in different ways, depending on what perspective one takes in understanding it. Following themes and perspectives in sociology, we regard religion as a social thing, that in the process of knowing about religious realities in society, one becomes aware that religion is about an artifact and a discourse. As an artifact, religion is a constituted reality in society, being produced and re-produced in the endless interplay of social structures, culture and agency. As a discourse, religion is a constituting reality, a means through which meanings are produced, shared, validated and legitimated by social agents. Institute of Religion, University of Santo Tomas
President
Emmanuel D. Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas
Vice President
Virgilio A. Rivas, M.A. Institute of Social History/Research Institute for Politics & Economics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila
Acting Secretary
Hadje C. Sadje
Undergraduate student, Department of Sociology, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila
Acting Treasurer
Precious E. Velasquez, M.A. (units)
Sagip Pasig Movement
Public Relations Officer
Cristita A. Mallari, M.A. Department of Sociology, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila
Auditor
Vivencio O. Ballano, Ph.D. College of Arts, Education & Sciences, St. Paul University, Quezon City
Patria Gwen M.L. Borcena, M.A. Alternative Research for Empowerment, Quezon City
Emanuel C. De Guzman, Ph.D. Department of Sociology, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila
Eduardo M. Domingo, Ed.D. Theology & Religious Education Department, De La Salle University, Manila
Manuel Victor J. Sapitula, M.A. Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore
Alon D. Delos Reyes,
Graduate student, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ateneo de Manila University
