Who studied suicide statistics to compare different religious groups?

Emile Durkheim is the scholar who studied suicide statistics to compare different religious groups. His work in the late 19th century, particularly in his seminal book "Le Suicide," is foundational in sociology. Durkheim's research involved analyzing how suicide rates varied among different religious affiliations, specifically contrasting the rates among Catholics and Protestants. He argued that differing levels of integration and regulation within these religious communities influenced the likelihood of individuals committing suicide. This analysis allowed him to establish the idea that social factors significantly affect individual behaviors, a key principle in understanding sociology. His comparative method and focus on social structures and their impact on individuals helped to elevate sociology as a scientific discipline.