Beliefs and Society: Topic 1- Theories of religion

Question 1

What is a religion?

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 religion?

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 religion?

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 a religion?

What is the functionalists view on religion?

Answer 4

They believe religion helps bring people together and performs functions for individuals or society with a value consensus.

Question 5

What is a religion?

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

What is a religion?: Functionalist

What is Durkheim argument for religion- Totemsim?

Answer 6

• He believed the essence of religion can be found in the simplest form- clan society
• Study of the Arunta clan with a clan system
• The clan comes together to worship the sacred totem
• The totem symbolises the clans identity, by worshipping it, they worship society.
• Provides feelings of awe

Question 7

What is a religion?: Functionalist

What is Durkheim argument for religion- Sacred and Profane?

Answer 7

• Religion is a fundamental distinction between the sacred (things set apart & forbidden) and profane (have no special significance
• Religion also involves rituals and practices
• The sacred evokes powerful feelings
• So worshipping a sacred symbol is wordshiping society, uniting a community

Question 8

What is a religion?: 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

What is a religion?: 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

What is a religion?: 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

What is a religion?: 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

What is a religion?: 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

What is a religion?: 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

Marxist theories of religion

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

Marxist theories of religion

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

Marxist theories of religion

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

Marxist theories of religion

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

Marxist theories of religion

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 religion controls the distribution of ideas in society
• Legitimises the suffering of the poor and will be favoured in the afterlife
• Preventing them from changing their status

Question 21

Marxist theories of religion

What does Marx argue about religion and alienation?

Answer 21

• Sees religion as a product of alienation as individuals create a powerful being which has control over them
• They give up their right to make decisions denying their true humanity

Question 22

Marxist theories of religion

What are the strengths for the marxist view on religion?

Answer 22

Many religious people are poor and oppressed, reinforcing the oppression they face

Question 23

Marxist theories of religion

What are the weaknesses for the marxist view on religion?

Answer 23

• Religion benefits and brings people together
• Can help the poor with organisations and break their poverty
• Theory lacks validity

Question 24

Feminist theories of religion

What is the feminist view of religion?

Answer 24

• Believe its a patriachal institution
• Religion perpetuates gender inequality
• It legitimises female subordination

Question 25

Feminist theories of religion

How is religion patriachal according to feminists?

Answer 25

• Lack of women representatives- argues organisations are male dominated
• Control of female identity- Islamic veil can be seen as form of control
• Place of worship- Women are segregated from men as they’re seen as ‘distracting’

Question 26

Feminist theories of religion

How is religion not patriachal according to women?

Answer 26

• Women in religious positions- Judaism allows women to become rabbis
• Freedom to change- Women have more freedom in their religion- islamic veil
• Functionalists- Religion allows women and men to have roles that suit their nature