beliefs key sociologists Flashcards
Weber
(substantive) Religion is a belief in a superior supernatural power above nature.
Durkheim
(functional) Defines religion in terms of the social or psychological functions it performs in society. Also outlined the sacred and the profane (totemism).
Parsons
Helps people cope with unforeseen events and uncontrollable outcomes.
Bellah
Civil religion unifies American as it is an American way of life.
Marx
Ideology is a belief system that distorts peoples perceptions of reality in ways that serve interests of the ruling class. - Product of alienation.
Woodhead
Religious forms pf feminism ways women can use religion to gain freedom.
Gramsci
Hegemony is used by the ruling class to use religion as a form of social control.
Bruce
CRM Provided beliefs protestors could draw on for motivation and New Christian Right failed due to lack of widespread support. He also believes science leaves no room for religious views and secularisation is in steady and unremitting decline everywhere.
Wilson
Church going is the American way of life.
Weber
Rationalisation and Disenchantment of society.
Berger
Secularisation is also caused by the growth of multiple religions. However, he has changed his views and now believes diversity and choice stimulates new interest in religion.
Davie
Religion is more private and not in decline , believing without belonging.
Lyon
Traditional religion is giving way to new forms of religion and there is a shift from modern to postmodern , a re-enchantment,
Stark and Bainbridge
We will die but religion promises a life after death.
Helland
Religion online and online religion
Norris and Inglehart
Reject religious market theory as it only applies to America.
Huntington
Religious differences between civilisations, now major source of conflict - Globalisation makes nation state less important.
Kuhn
Science has a set of paradigms and shared ideas. Interpretivists believe that science is socially constructed.
Popper
Science is an open belief system open to scrutiny.
Davie
Women are closer to birth and death and this brings them closer to ultimate questions about the meaning of life etc.
Bruce
Growth of sects and cults today is a response to social changes involved in modernisation and secularisation.
Brown
Decline of female piety - women are also withdrawing from religion.
Woodhead
New Age beliefs are attractive to women as they engage in the individual sphere - third sphere.
