situation of rural religion in rural sociology

since land reform in iran, rural studies and rural sociology have been concentrated on rural society as economical and political phenomena; therefore mostly traditional systems of production and power were noted in researches. one issue that was not addressed in this academic discourse was rural religion. religion as a core of culture and the main context to reproduce social integration has a key role in this society. religion reproduce the cultural tradition and also is the main agent in legitimatizing the social changes. this paper through a meta-analysis of rural studies in social sciences investigates internal and external causes of inattention to religion in academic discourses of rural sociology (since 1960 to 2000). urban problematic and capitalist economic as the main external causes, considered rural issues as an economic and demographic issue. on the other side, marxism and positivism and their epistemological inattention to religion as central issue in culture caused this inattention. as a result, rural sociology has not been able to provide a relevant explanation for rural culture (and religion as its core) and its changes. due to this systematic inattention, cultural and social issues since 1960s to 2000, in the iranian village have continued. finally, for efficient rural policy making we have to understand and explain rural culture religion.