Beliefs In Society Flashcards
What is the substantive definition of religion?
. Focus on what region believes
. WEBER: religion=belief in a supernatural power: supernatural entities with powers of action, or impersonal powers superior to humans
. EXCLUSIVE: clear distinction between religious and non-religious beliefs
. Western biased and exclude religions with no western idea of God e.g Buddhism
. Ignores practices that perform similar functions to religions but have no supernatural belief
What is the functional definition of religion?
. Focus on the function of religion i.e what religion does
. DURKHEIM: religions have sacred objects (set apart and forbidden) different to the profane (ordinary everyday)
. INCLUSIVE: includes activities that may not be religious but involve objects individuals perceive as sacred
. SOCIAL SOLIDARITY: by uniting society through sacred beliefs
What is the constructive definition of religion?
. Take an interpretivist view to look at how members of society define religion
. There is no single definition of religion because religion means different things to different individuals and groups
. Definitions of religion are constructed, challenged and fought over e.g follow of Scientology may define it as a religion but many governments do not
. However, this approach makes it impossible to generalise about the nature of religion
What does it mean when religion acts a conservative force?
Keeps society the same
What does it mean when religion acts as a radical force?
Can lead to social change.
What is Durkheims theory of religion?
Durkheim: collective consciousness and social solidarity created by sacred objects
How does sacred objects represent the collective consciousness (shared norms and values) according to Durkheim?
