Beliefs perspectives Flashcards
evaluation of the functional definition
Robertson= argued that when a significant part of the world was communist rule, the functionalist definition allowed it to be viewed as a religion
since this definition do not specify belief in god or the supernatural
there is no bias against non-western religions e.g. Buddhism
avoids ethnocentrism
functional definition
defined by the social and psychological functions it performs for individuals and society
Durkheim=defines in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration, rather than any specific belief in god or the supernatural
substantive definition
focus on the content or substance of religions belief, e.g. a belief in god or the supernatural
Weber= religion is a belief in the supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically
substantive definitions are exclusive- line between religious and non-religious beliefs
evaluation of substantive definition
Budd (1970)- people are reluctant to share their belied
Pritchard = the Neur tribe in east Africa did not refer to god as a noun but through adjectives, verbs or metaphors
social constructionist definition
an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion
it is not possible to produce a single universal definition of religion to cover all cases, since in reality different individuals+ groups mean very different things by ‘religion’
evaluation for social constructionist
definition
impossible to generalise about the nature of religion, since people may have widely differing views about what counts as a religion
difficult to measure
Religion maintains a value consensus order + social solidarity
Durkheim= key features - not a belief in god but a fundamental distinction between sacred and profane found in religion
ritualism
Durkheim= not just a set of beliefs but rituals + practices in relation to the sacred + are collective
fact that sacred things cause strong emotions = symbols of greater power= society itself
Durkheim’s totemism
studied the arunta tribe- simplest from of society= clan society
bands of kin who come together to worship the totem
they are revering themselves as a community
think they are worshipping something eternal but they are really worshipping society
the collective conscience
Durkheim’s view= sacred symbol represents societies collective conscience
regular shared religious rituals reinforce the collective conscience+ maintains social integration
cognitive functions
durkheim + mauss= religion provides basic categories such as time, soace, number, reason etc
e.g. the creators creating the universe + the beginning of time
thus religion is the origin of thought, science+ reasoning
criticisms of functionalist perspective
Worsley= there is no sharp division between the sacred and the profane
totemism might be true for smaller clans but this doesn’t mean the essence of all religion
explains integration within small communities but not the conflicts between them
Malinowski
agrees with D that religion= social solidarity but does by performing psychological function for individuals
1) where the outcome is important but uncontrollable and uncertain
2) at times of crisis
the Trobriand islands
lagoon fishing safe + predictability successful = no ritual
ocean fishing dangerous + uncertain = “canoe magic”- gives people a sense of control, eases tension, reinforces group solidarity
At time of crisis = malinowski
major disruptive changes to social groups
religion helps to minimise disruption
reinforces feelings of solidarity among the survivors + notion of immortality gives comfort to bereaved
not as applicable due to secularisation
explains why people are religious sometimes and not others
parsons
agrees with Malinowski but sees 2 other important functions
1) creates + legitimises societies central values
reinforces them via religion
2) it is a primary source of meaning
Bellah
what unifies american society is civil religion
a belief system which attaches sacred qualities to society itself
civil religion has replaced religion
americanism unites faiths
integrates society in a way churches cannot
Criticisms of bellah
functional alt. could be criticised in some way as functional definitions of religion
it ignores what is distinctive about many religions = the belief in the supernatural= too inclusive
Althusser
religion as an ISA= an institution spreading the dominant ideologies
links to Gramski = hegemony= consent + acceptance by people that their positions were unchanged + inevitable = the american dream
Marx and alienation
alienation exists in all capitalist societies the exploited turn to religion as a form of consolidation
religion acts as an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation with no help on earth but promises for the after life
theodicy of disprivilege = explanation
evaluation of Marx
like any drug = only if people take it
doesn’t explain secularisation
trad. M = ignore religion as a form of resistance to the powerful + as an agent of social change
Neo Marxist
disagree that religion is simply a part of the dominant ideology
religion can have some relative autonomy + independence from the ruling class
Gramski = counter hegemony = islamic fundamentalist fighting americanism of religion
Maduro
liberation theology
Christ as a revolutionary like Che Guevara
how catholic priests in 60s and 70s played major roles in fighting the military dictatorship
combined teachings of marx+ Christ catholic priests = encouraged the poor to overthrow oppressive gov.
Weber
studied Calvinists = in part led to the creation of capitalism
believed in being frugal with money + pre-destination (chosen for salvation)
looks for signs of being chosen + invest in communities
Bruce + the civil rights movement
American civil rights vs New Christian right
ways =
1) taking the moral high ground = pointed out hypocrisy of clergy preaching love thy neighbour but supporting segregation
2) Acting as an honest broker= churches are often seen as a neutral ground and are often respected by many people
Why was the New Christian Right unsuccessful according to Bruce
campaigners find it difficult to cooperate with people from other religious groups even on the same issue
lacks wide spread support+ met with strong opposition from groups who stand for freedom of choice
Enoch Block
principle of hope
religion has a dual character
our idea of a utopia + better society
vision of a better world if combined with political organisation can bring about social change
El Saadawi
radical feminist
religion as a conservative force
religion isn’t patriarchal but maintains dominant culture which is
religious prop of cultural ideas + maintains patriarchy
Armstrong
Women’s exclusion from the priesthood is clear evidence of marginalisation + patriarchy
Evaluation of Armstrong
Woodhead
intersectional feminist
religious forms of feminism
hijab as a tool for freedom not oppression
De Beauvoir
men traditionally have controlled patriarchy + use women to indoctrinate women into patriarchy + religion
instrument of deception = women believe religion is to better themselves but really it is to maintain patriarchy
