beliefs key sociologists

Question 1

Weber

Answer 1

(substantive) Religion is a belief in a superior supernatural power above nature.

Question 2

Durkheim

Answer 2

(functional) Defines religion in terms of the social or psychological functions it performs in society. Also outlined the sacred and the profane (totemism).

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

Helps people cope with unforeseen events and uncontrollable outcomes.

Question 4

Bellah

Answer 4

Civil religion unifies American as it is an American way of life.

Question 5

Marx

Answer 5

Ideology is a belief system that distorts peoples perceptions of reality in ways that serve interests of the ruling class. - Product of alienation.

Question 6

Woodhead

Answer 6

Religious forms pf feminism ways women can use religion to gain freedom.

Question 7

Gramsci

Answer 7

Hegemony is used by the ruling class to use religion as a form of social control.

Question 8

Bruce

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Wilson

Answer 9

Church going is the American way of life.

Question 10

Weber

Answer 10

Rationalisation and Disenchantment of society.

Question 11

Berger

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Davie

Answer 12

Religion is more private and not in decline , believing without belonging.

Question 13

Lyon

Answer 13

Traditional religion is giving way to new forms of religion and there is a shift from modern to postmodern , a re-enchantment,

Question 14

Stark and Bainbridge

Answer 14

We will die but religion promises a life after death.

Question 15

Helland

Answer 15

Religion online and online religion

Question 16

Norris and Inglehart

Answer 16

Reject religious market theory as it only applies to America.

Question 17

Huntington

Answer 17

Religious differences between civilisations, now major source of conflict - Globalisation makes nation state less important.

Question 18

Kuhn

Answer 18

Science has a set of paradigms and shared ideas. Interpretivists believe that science is socially constructed.

Question 19

Popper

Answer 19

Science is an open belief system open to scrutiny.

Question 20

Davie

Answer 20

Women are closer to birth and death and this brings them closer to ultimate questions about the meaning of life etc.

Question 21

Bruce

Answer 21

Growth of sects and cults today is a response to social changes involved in modernisation and secularisation.

Question 22

Brown

Answer 22

Decline of female piety - women are also withdrawing from religion.

Question 23

Woodhead

Answer 23

New Age beliefs are attractive to women as they engage in the individual sphere - third sphere.