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Sociology > Beliefs - Theories of Religion - 5.1 > Flashcards

Beliefs - Theories of Religion - 5.1 Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Functionalism & Religion (Key thinkers)

A

> Durkheim (Sacred & Profane, Totemism, Collective Conscience & Cognitive Functions)

> Malinowski (Psychological Functions)

> Parsons (Values and meaning)

> Bellah ( Civil Religion as Functional Alternative)

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2
Q

General Functionalist view of Religion

A

> Religion plays a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and solidarity.

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3
Q

Durkheim (Sacred & Profane)

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The sacred are things set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe, fear and wonder, with taboos and prohibitions.

The profane are ordinary things that have no special significance.

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4
Q

Durkheim (Totemism & Rituals)

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> Totems of the aborigines group (e.g. animals & plants with magical qualities) symbolises the clan’s identity.

> Worship of the totem/rituals group creates social solidarity actually worshipping society.

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5
Q

Collective Conscience

A

Norms & values, making cooperation possible, without these society would disintegrate

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6
Q

Durkheim (Rituals & collective conscience

A

> Remind people of the power of society, they powerless without it

> Makes us feel part of something greater than us, give strength to face life’s problems.

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7
Q

Durkheim & Cognitive Functions of Religion

A

> Basics of science & reason in religious texts (e.g. Bible) helps us think conceptually

> Passed through generations, so sharing thoughts & concepts.

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8
Q

Malinowski & 2 Psychological Functions

A

> Canoe magic helps cope with stress which could undermine social solidarity

>

  1. At times of crisis

>

  1. When the outcome is uncertain (e.g. sea fishing)
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9
Q

Malinowski (role of religion in times of crisis e.g. birth & death)

A

> At death, funerals reinforce solidarity, idea of heaven gives people comfort

> At birth people get baptised, gives idea of protection by god, so gives security.

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10
Q

Malinowski & Uncertain Outcomes

A

> e.g. Trobriand Islanders took part in Lagoon & Ocean fishing

  • Lagoon: Safe & unpredictable = no ritual
  • Ocean: Dangerous & uncertain, so used rituals for safe journey, gives sense of control, eases tensions & reinforces solidarity
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11
Q

Briefly outline Parsons two Functions of Religion

A
  1. Creates & legitimates norms & values

2. Answers to life’s big questions that could undermine commitment to society’s values

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12
Q

Parsons (Religion & Legitimation of Norms & Values)

A

> By sacralising them - making them sacred/special

> e.g. Protestantism sacralised American values - ‘God Bless America’

> e.g. individualism, meritocracy & discipline, promotes value consensus & social solidarity

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13
Q

Parsons (religion answers life’s big questions)

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> e.g. purpose of life, afterlife, why good people suffer

> Evil defended as test rewarded in heaven

> Helps people cope with adversity maintains social solidarity.

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14
Q

Bellah (Civil Religion)

A

> Creates social solidarity in US, in a way individual religions can’t.

> e.g. loyalty to nation, expressed by symbols & beliefs e.g. oath of allegiance to the flag

> Sacralises US way of life, binds different people together from different backgrounds

> Unlike churches, only for some Americans

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15
Q

Bellah’s (Civil Religion as a Functional Alternative)

A

> Supernatural belief not needed

> e.g. Nazi Germany with the Church of Nazism

> includes cult practices focused on worshipping German nation/army without god.

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16
Q

Why is Bellah’s idea of Religion as Functional Alternative flawed?

A

Conflicts with substantive definition of religion, needing a belief in supernatural.

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17
Q

A03 Criticisms of the functionalist view of the role of religion in society

A

> Postmodernism (Durkheim’s theory outdated in a multi-faith society)

> Hamilton (Religion can be a source of conflict not solidarity)

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18
Q

Postmodernist Criticisms of Durkheim

A

> No longer applicable, society more diverse & fragmented.

> Religion no longer binds everyone, no longer a shared value system, we now have individual value systems.

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19
Q

Briefly state two general criticisms of Durkheim

A

> His understanding of totems was flawed

> His theory is only applicable to small-scale societies

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20
Q

How is Durkheim’s study on Totemism flawed?

A

Totems not manifestations of group or society, as clans shared totems, so weren’t unique & special.

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21
Q

How is Durkheim’s theory only applicable to small-scale societies

A

Hard to apply to larger societies, where many religions are in conflict.

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22
Q

How does Hamilton criticise Functionalism?

A

> Ignores how religion can be source of social division & internal conflict

> e.g. Sunni & Shia’s, ignores hate crimes & fundamentalism.

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23
Q

Interpretivism (Key thinker)

A

> Berger (religion is a social construction)

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24
Q

Berger’s view on Religion

A

> Religion and science is a social construction

> Religion gives theodicies which are unchallengeable (e.g beliefs about God), people use these as a coping mechanism - maintains social solidarity

> Helps understand lives & universal meaning of world around us.

25
Q

Marxism (4 Key thinkers)

A

> Engels (Socialism v Christianity)
Marx (Opium of Masses)
Marx (Ideological Weapon)
Lenin (Spirtual Gin)

26
Q

General Marxist view on Religion

A

> Justifies exploitation & inequality, aiding the ruling class
In a classless society there is no need for religion and it will disappear.

27
Q

Engels (Socialism vs Christianity)

A

> Both target the poor & offer a better life (in the afterlife)

> But Christianity offers salvation in after life socialism (communism where everyone is equal) offers it now.

28
Q

Marx view on Religion as an Opium of the Masses

A

> Dulls pain of exploitation, form of consolation - afterlife, cushions pain of oppression.

> Temporary and achieved with rituals in the same way that temporary comfort is achieved by taking opium.

29
Q

False class consciousness

A

Distorted view of reality, stops poor trying to change position.

30
Q

Marx (Religion is a ideological weapon through promise of an afterlife)

A

> Religion promises escape from suffering, with promises of salvation in afterlife.

> So the poor are more likely to put up with exploitation, this creates false class consciousness

31
Q

How does Marx believe religion is a ideological weapon through the idea of supernatural intervention?

A

> Gives false reality if you pray hard enough, God may change your situation, maintains bourgeois (ruling class) dominance.

32
Q

How does Marx believe Religion is an ideological weapon through justification of unequal social hierarchy?

A

> Rulers have been chosen by God this is part of God’s plan, so shouldn’t be questioned, as power has been divinely obtained.

> Makes disobedience sinful & challenge to God’s authority.

33
Q

What is Lenin’s idea of religion as a spiritual gin?

A

> Bourgeoisie use religion as spiritual gin to confuse them

> And stop working class overthrowing them, keeping them in a fog to hide reality.

34
Q

A03 Marxism Key Sociologists

A

> Hill & Turner (Impact)

> Neo-Marxism (Hope)

35
Q

How do Hill & Turner criticise Marxists

A

Ruling class ideology doesn’t always control population, in pre-industrial society, Christianity had little impact on peasantry.

36
Q

How do Neo-Marxists criticise Marxists

A

Gramsci, Maduro see certain forms of religion as assisting, not hindering the development of class consciousness e.g. Liberation Theology

37
Q

General Criticisms of Marxism

A

> Religion still existed in Soviet Union under communism

> Islam focuses on Zakat, actually helps poor - donating a proportion of your income to support the poor.

38
Q

General feminist view on Religion

A

Patriarchal institutions & ideologies perpetuates inequality, legitimates women’s subordination.

39
Q

Examples of Patriarchy in Religion

A 
> Religious Figures
> Religious Laws & Customs
> Reinforcing Women’s Role
> Portrayal of Women in Sacred Texts
> Places of Worship
40
Q

Religious Figures - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

A
  • In monotheistic religions all gods & prophets, imams, priests are male.
  • Holy books focus mainly on male activities, written for men by men.
41
Q

Portrayal of Women in Sacred Texts - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

A
  • Eve portrayed negatively persuading Adam to eat forbidden fruit.
  • Virgin Mary & Magdalene, portrayed as virgin & whore.
42
Q

Places of Worship - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

A
  • Women segregated from men e.g. in mosques.

- In Islam women can’t read Quran whilst menstruating, Jewesses can’t read from torah at all.

43
Q

Religious Laws & Customs - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

A
  • Men can have 4 wives in Islam
  • In Christanity women seen as men’s property
  • In Iran women flogged for dress-code violations or stoned for adultery.
44
Q

Reinforcing Women’s Role - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

A

Christianity legitimates women’s domestic & reproductive role e.g. catholic church bans abortion & contraception.

45
Q

Negative Feminist Views on Religion

A

> De Beauvoir (False class consciousness)
El Saadawi (Arab Countries)
Armstrong (Decline of Goddesses)
Daly (Women & Christanity)

46
Q

De Beauvoir - False class consciousness

A

> Tricks women to believe they’re equal in eyes of god & will be rewarded for suffering, gives false class consciousness

> Socialised into worshiping male god & unconsciously see men as superior.

47
Q

El Saadawi - Arab Countries

A

> Women oppressed in Arab states through misinterpretations by men of Quran

> Used to exploit women e.g. female genital mutilation (FGM) with no justification through the Qur’an.

> However some aspects of Islam are liberating e.g. women keep surname when getting married.

48
Q

Positive Feminist Views on Religion

A

> Woodhead (Hijab & Male Gaze)
Gilrat Ray (Hijab)
Brusco (Religion & Respect)

49
Q

Woodhead (Hijab & Male Gaze)

A

> Seen as symbol of oppression by men

> But actually resistance to oppression, due to protection from male gaze

50
Q

Gilrat Ray (Hijab)

A

Hijab allows women to have parental approval to go into employment, without being condemned as immodest.

51
Q

Brusco (Religion & Respect)

A

> Use religion to get respect for role at home

> Strong belief among pentecostals/evangelicals, men must respect women & refrain from macho behaviour.

52
Q

Changing role of women in religion

A

> Church of England now ⅕ of priests are female

> Reform Judaism & Sikhism allow female priests.

53
Q

Stark and Bainbridge- Female preference for sects and cults & 3 Compensators for Deprivation

A

> Organismic Deprivation: Women likely worse health - sects and cults give healing

> Ethical Deprivation: Women are morally conservative & see world in moral decline - they share the views of sects and cults

> Social Deprivation: Attract poor - women more likely to be in poverty compared to men

54
Q

Daly (Women & Christianity)

A

> Equality will not be achieved as God’s associated with masculinty & christanity is patriarchal myth

> Rooted in male sado-ritual’ e.g. Jesus’ torture on the cross. Symbols embodies hatred for females e.g Eve .

55
Q

Armstrong (Decline of Goddess)

A

> Before monotheistic religion there were polytheistic religions that included goddesses. women were seen as close to nature due to their reproductive role

> Patriarchy led to monotheism overriding polytheism and the death of the goddesses

56
Q

Criticisms of Armstrong

A

> Some religions e.g. Hindusim still have goddesses

> Some NRMs are female centred e.g. Wicca

57
Q

Witchcraft & Feminism (Key thinkers)

A

> Anderson & Gordon (Witch Hunting)

> Turner (Midwifery)

58
Q

Anderson & Gordon (Witch Hunting)

A

> Witch hunting tried to control, female sexuality

> Seen as witches & punished

59
Q

Turner (Midwifery)

A

> Church scapegoated women doing midwifery & herbal medicine , associating them with satanic temptation

> So men can win control over female clients & female bodies

Sociology (27 decks)

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