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Topic One: Theories of Religion (Functionalist Theories of Religion…
Topic One: Theories of Religion
Definitions of Religion
Substantive
Focus on the content of religious belief - belief in the supernatural, holy texts etc.
Conform to the view that religion is a belief in God
Exclusive
Functional
What does religion do for individuals and society?
Doesn't conform to the view that religion is a belief in God
Inclusive
Social Constructionist
Interpretivist approach
How do individuals define religion?
Interested in how definitions of religion are created, changed and fought over
Doesn't conform to the view that religion is a belief in God
Inclusive
Functionalist Theories of Religion
Society is a system of interrelated parts
Society has needs which are met by different institutions - religion, media etc.
Durkheim
The Sacred and the Profane
Sacred
- things that are set apart, are surrounded by prohibitions and taboos and create feelings of awe
Profane
- things that are mundane and ordinary
The powerful feelings evoked by the sacred implies that it represents something of great power - society
Totemism
Believed that the essence of religion could be discovered by studying it in its simplest form in the simplest society
The Arunta rituals around the Totem reinforce the group solidarity
The totem represents the power of the society that the individuals rely on
The Collective Conscience
Sacred symbols represent society's collective conscience
Rituals reinforce this and maintain integration
Rituals bind people together, reminds them that are part of something bigger
Cognitive Functions
Religion is the source of our ability to reason and think conceptually
Religion is the origin of shared categories - space, time etc - that allow us to think and share ideas
Religion is the origin of human thought, reason and science
Criticisms of Durkheim
Worsley
- there isn't a clear division between the sacred and profane
Explains integration within communities but not the conflict between them
Postmodernists: increasing diversity has fractured the collective conscience
Malinowksi - Psychological Functions
Religion provides psychological functions that promote social solidarity
Helps individuals cope with stress that could undermine solidarity
Studied the Trobriand Islanders
Where the outcome is uncertain
:
Fishing in the Lagoon
- no rituals as outcome is certain and situation safe
Fishing in the Ocean
- rituals, as outcome is uncertain and situation dangerous
Religion bridges the gap between the controllable and uncontrollable
At time of life crises
:
Events such as birth and death can cause disruptive changes in social groups
Religion brings people together and explains why these happen
Parsons: Values and Meanings
Religion helps people cope with uncertainty
Creates and legitimates society's values: religion sacralises values, thus promoting solidarity
Provides a source of meaning: religion answers unanswerable questions, helping people to adjust
Bellah: Civil Religion
A belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society
Integrates society in a way that individual religion can't
Involves loyalty to the nation state and a belief in God = being a true American