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Theories of Religion - Coggle Diagram
Theories of Religion
Functionalism
Durkheim
The sacred = things that are set apart from other things and create feeling like awe, featr and wonder.
The profane = ordinary things with no special significance
Example of sacred - Totemism
Case study of the Australian Aboriginal Arunta Clan
Worshiped a sacred totem which had different animals or plants to represent the clans identity. They then worship it to reinforce groups solidarity and sense of belonging.
Sacred symbols represent the society's collective consicience - shared norms, values and beliefs.
Religion is the origin of human thought and reason, so has cognitive functions
X - only studied small scare clans so it's not representative of wider society.
X - Society is more secular but value consensus still exists
Malinowski
Religion promotes social solidarity by performing psychological functions.
4 crises of life:
∆ Death
∆ Birth
∆ Puberty
∆ Marriage
Religion helps to minimise the disruption of the 4 crises by bringing comfort and support. For example, funerals to stop long grieving, keeping society functioning/minimising disruption.
Parsons
Religion helps individuals to cope with unforeseen circumstances and uncontrollable outcomes.
Two essential functions of religion:
∆ Legitimises societies values
∆ Source of meaning, answers difficult questions about life
X - fails to address negative elemtns of religion
X - does not always unify societies, can cause disagreement/war/terrorism
Marxism
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X - Doesn't acknowledge the positives of religion e.g social solidarity
X - Secularisation is occuring but capitalism still strong. Communist Russia didn't kill religion.
X - Ignores oppression of women
Feminism
Religion oppresses women
Religious organisations are male dominated with figures of authority being men.
Daly argues that the role of female figures has been demoted in historical records
Places of Worship segregates the sexes and marginalise women by sitting them behind screens and away from the more central and sacred places. Their participation may also be restricted, like not being able to read religious texts.
X - Woodhead says that the Hijab is seen by the western world as oppression for women, however for those wearing it is a sign of their liberation and freedom.
X - Religion is used to gain respect and status for their role in the family. Brusco found that religion empowers women.