beliefs in society

Question 1

Substantive:

Answer 1

• Focuses on the belief in a supernatural power or God
• Exclusive

. Western bias

Question 2

Functional:

Answer 2

• Focuses on social or psychological functions for an individual or society
• Inclusive

. Suggests a football chant is a religion

Question 3

Social Constructionist:

Answer 3

• Focuses on how members of society define religion
• Can not produce a universal definition

. + Deeper meaning
- Impossible to generalise

Question 4

BELIEFS;

Answer 4

in the supernatural and/or incomprehensible powers (e.g. God) or sacred symbols (e.g. the Cross)

Question 5

THEOLOGY ;

Answer 5

a set of teachings and beliefs

Question 6

PRACTICE;

Answer 6

rituals of ceremonies to express beliefs

Question 7

INSTITUTIONS;

Answer 7

some form of organisation of worshippers (e.g. churches)

Question 8

CONSEQUENCES;

Answer 8

a set of moral or ethical values to guide everyday behaviour

Question 9

belief systems; science

Answer 9

Open system
Popper: Scientific research is open to scrutiny, criticism and testing by others
Closed system
Kuhn: Science is based on a single paradigm which is ridiculed if challenged, unless undermined by evidence

Question 10

belief systems; religion

Answer 10

open system;
Able to adapt to social change
Herberg: May dilute beliefs to stay relevant – known as internal secularisation
closed system;
Horton: It contains ‘clauses’ that prevent it from being disproved in the eyes of believers

Question 11

three devices to undermine any contradictory evidence?

Answer 11

1) Circularity – explaining religious ideas by using other religious components
2) Subsidiary explanations – religious leaders redirect focus when being challenged with some sort of explanation that does not contradict the religion
3) Denial of legitimacy to rivals – reject rival beliefs to show followers that they are only possible answer

Question 12

Azande and witchcraft: Case study by Evans-Pritchard

Answer 12

• Azande believe natural events are not coincidental or by chance
• Misfortune is down to witchcraft
• This prevents grudges and encourages neighbourly behaviour
  E.g. westerners would believe a snake bit someone because they were walking in the grass but the Azande would argue someone cast a spell on the snake

Question 13

Ideology

Answer 13

Religion focuses on a spiritual meaning, but ideology focuses on the political impact