Beliefs In Society - Functionalist Perspective On Religion

Question 1

What do Functionalist’s see religion as?

Answer 1

A conservative force

Question 2

What do they believe religion promotes?

Answer 2

Social harmony, integration & solidarity

Question 3

How is social harmony, integration & solidarity reinforced?

Answer 3

Through a value consensus

Question 4

What are the basic needs that must be met if society is to survive?

Answer 4

Functional prerequisites

Question 5

How is the role of religion analysed according to functionalists?

Answer 5

Functional prerequisites

Question 6

Religion is seen as?

Answer 6

Part of the culture

Question 7

SOCIOLOGIST: What is cultural defence according to Bruce?

Answer 7

Where culture acts as a focal point for the defence of community identity (seen as under threat from external force)

Question 8

SOCIOLOGIST: What is cultural transition according to Bruce?

Answer 8

Where groups (e.g. minority) move to a diff country/culture with religion providing source of identity/support during the transition

Question 9

SOCIOLOGIST: What did Durkheim see religion as?

Answer 9

important element in social integration and stability

Question 10

Who argues all societies divide world into sacred & profane?

Answer 10

Durkheim

Question 11

SOCIOLOGIST: What is the sacred, according to Durkheim?

Answer 11

Special & forbidden that are spiritual, religious or holy and can be extraordinary or fearful etc

Question 12

SOCIOLOGIST: What is the profane, according to Durkheim?

Answer 12

the ordinary, every-day non-sacred, non-special & non-holy

Question 13

SOCIOLOGIST: What does Durkheim suggest about the sacred?

Answer 13

Doesn’t necessarily have do be about supernatural phenomena but can be about anything people regard as sacred

Question 14

What is a totem?

Answer 14

A sacred object representing and having symbolic significance and importance for a group

Question 15

SOCIOLOGIST: What did Durkheim argue about totems?

Answer 15

created by society so it is sacred (symbol of society)

Question 16

AO2: How do individuals in minority ethnic communities use religion to maintain social order?

Answer 16

Often a means to maintain own cultural identity and plays key role in integrating community

Question 17

SOCIOLOGIST: How does religion create a collective conscience, according to Durkheim?

Answer 17

helps people develop moral ties
develops sense of shared identity, commitment and belonging

Question 18

AO2: What is the lives of celebrities an example of?

Answer 18

civil religions

Question 20

What are cultural religions?

Answer 20

sacred qualities are attached to aspects of society itself with non religious rituals and ceremonies performing similar functions to religion (doesn’t have link to supernatural)

Question 21

Who said the supernatural dimensions of religions would eventually disappear and be replaced by cultural religions?

Answer 21

Durkheim?