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AQA A-Level Sociology Burnley College > Beliefs - Theories of Religion - 5.2 > Flashcards

Beliefs - Theories of Religion - 5.2 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)

A

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)

A

> 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)

A

> 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.

17
Q

Marxism (3 Key thinkers)

A

> Marx (Opium of Masses)
Marx (Ideological Weapon)
Lenin (Spirtual Gin)

18
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.

19
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.

20
Q

False class consciousness

A

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

21
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

22
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.

23
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.

24
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.

25
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.

26
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.

27
Q

General feminist view on Religion

A

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

28
Q

Examples of Patriarchy in Religion

A 
> Religious Organisations
> Religious Laws & Customs
> Portrayal of Women in Sacred Texts
> Places of Worship
29
Q

Religious Organisations- 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.
30
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.
31
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.

32
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.
33
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.

34
Q

Positive Feminist Views on Religion

A

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

35
Q

Woodhead (Hijab & Male Gaze)

A

> Seen as symbol of oppression by men

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

36
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.

37
Q

Changing role of women in religion

A

> Church of England now ⅕ of priests are female

> Reform Judaism & Sikhism allow female priests.

38
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

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

39
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

AQA A-Level Sociology Burnley College (36 decks)

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