Beliefs in Society - Theories of Religion

Question 1

Substantive definition with examples, strengths, and weakness?

Answer 1

• Focuses on the content of religious belief such as the belief in a God, which cannot be studied scientifically.
• Christianity and Islam
• S = Conforms to widespread view of religion.
• W = Contains western bias, leaves no room for other beliefs.

Question 2

Functional definition with examples, strengths, and weakness?

Answer 2

• Focuses on the social and psychological functions that religion performs for society.
• Football and Christianity.
• S = No bias towards Western religions.
• W = Helps to integrate people into groups, this doesn’t make it a religion.

Question 3

Constructionist definition with examples, strengths, and weakness?

Answer 3

• Focuses on how individuals define religion, means different things to different people.
• Buddhism and Scientology.
• S = Understand the meanings individuals give.
• W = Impossible to generalise about the nature of religion.