Beliefs and Society: Topic 1- Theories of religion

Question 1

What is a substantive definitions of religion? Give a sociologist argument and an evaluation.

Definition, sociolist argument, AO3.

Answer 1

• Meaning: The belief in God or supernatural
• Sociologist: Weber says religion is a belief in supernatual power that isnt explained scientifically
• AO3: This excludes religiong without a god. e.g. buddhism

Question 2

What is a functional definitions of religion? Give and evaluation.

Definition, sociolist argument, AO3.

Answer 2

• Meaning: Belief in social functions performs for individuals of society
• Sociologist: Durkheim defines religion in terms of the contribution, it makes to social integration.
• AO3: Just becasue an instituion helps integrate others doesnt make it a religion. e.g. football

Question 3

What is a social construct definitions of religion? Give and evaluation.

Definition, sociolist argument, AO3.

Answer 3

• Meaning: Its not possible to produce a single definition of religion to cover all cases
• Sociologist: Aldridge argues it shows for its followers, scientology is a reliong whereas several governments deny it.
• AO3: Makes it impossible to generalise about the nature of religion

Question 4

What is the functionalists view on religion?

Answer 4

They believe religion helps bring people together and performs functions for individuals or society.

Question 5

What are the functionalist theory of religion?

What and which sociologist

There are 4 different thoeries, 1 with 3 in it.

Answer 5

• Durkheim- Totemism, sacred and profance, worshipping society
• Malinowski- psychological functions
• Parsons- Reinforcing values and meanings
• Bellah- civil religion

Question 6

Functionalist

What is Durkheim argument for religion- Totemsim?

Answer 6

• He believed the essence of religion can be found in the simplest form
• Arunta clan
• The totem symbolises the clans identity, by worshipping it, they worship society.
• Providing a sense of community

Question 7

Functionalist

What is Durkheim argument for religion- Sacred and Profane?

Answer 7

Worshipping sacred symbols is worshipoing society itself. Symblos unite individuals to a single moral code.

Question 8

Functionalist

What is Durkheim argument for religion- Worshipping of society?

Answer 8

He argues that the tribe of the ‘group’ exists becasue of the totem, which symbolises worshipping the tribe itself. The members are unconsiouscly worshipping their own social group identity.

Question 9

Functionalist

What is Malinowski’s argument for religion?

Psychological functions

Answer 9

• Religion helps provide security and explanations are times of uncertaintity and crisis. E.g. Trobriand islanders- fishing in the lagoon is seen as safe, but the ocean is risky due to the uncertainty
• Many people turn to religion at times of crisis

Question 10

Functionalist

What is Parson’s argument for religion?

Answer 10

• He believes religion helps people cope with unforseen events. There are 2 main functions:
• It creates and legitimises societys centred values by promoting value consensus
• It is the primary source of meaning by answering questions about humans purpose, afterlife.

Question 11

Functionalist

What is Bellah’s argument for religion?

Answer 11

• He argues America has a civil religion
• Civil religion claims the loyalty of all americans, nation, state, and god. e.g. national anthem
• This binds americans from different ethnicites

Question 12

Functionalist

What is a strength for the functionalist view?

Answer 12

Relion is a universal neccessity in most societies, therefore can be argued its function is needed.

Question 13

Functionalist: 7 options

What are the weaknesses of the functionalist view?

Answer 13

• Marxists say it only benefits the ruling class
• Feminists say it only benefits patriachy
• There are many different faiths so its hard to unite people
• People dont look into religion anymore, more into new age movements
• Causes conflicts and wars
• Malinowski’s study isnt representative to all societies
• Religion can be harmful- making them fearful and afraid

Question 14

What is marxist view on religion?

Answer 14

They believe religion only benefits the ruling class and keeps control over the W/C

Question 15

Marxism

How does religion serve the interest of the ruling class?

Answer 15

• Disorting reality
• Legitmises class inequality
• Is the opiate of the masses

Question 16

Marxism

How does religion disort reality?

Answer 16

• Religion blinds the W/C for the real reason they’re poor
• The reason has been justified by religious ideas
• By disorting their view, they create a false class-consciousness to help them accept their position in society

Question 17

Marxism

How does religion legitimise class inequality?

Answer 17

• Justifies the inequality as fair through God
• A religious hymn “The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them”
• This minimises the W/C going against Gods words

Question 18

Marxism

What does Marx argue about how religion act as the opiate of the masses?

Answer 18

• He believes religion ‘drugs’ the W/C by providing comfort from attacking the real cause of their poverty by promising eternal happiness in the afterlife
• They accept poverty for the reward in the afterlife
• Marx says W/C saw the illusion of happiness after death

Question 19

Marxism

What are marxists theory for religion?

Answer 19

• Religion as ideology
• Religion and alienation

Question 20

Marxism

What does Marx argue about religion as ideology?

Answer 20

• He argues institutions like church, education and media controls economic production
• This misleads W/C to think their suffering will make them favoured in the afterlife
• Creating a false consciousness
• Religion legitmises the power and privilege of the dominant class making their postition seem divinely ordained

Question 21

Marxism

What does Marx argue about religion and alienation?

Answer 21

• Sees religion as a product of alienation
• Workers are alienated because they dont have control of production and therefore no freedom for their creativity
• Religion arises out suffering and acts as a consolation for it but has to deal with class exploitation that legitimises suffering of poor and privilege of ruling class