Beliefs- Topic 1 (Paper2)

Question 1

Substantive definitions.

Answer 1

These focus on the content or substance of religious belief such as belief in God or the supernatural.

Question 2

Functional definitions.

Answer 2

Rather than defying religion in terms of specific kinds of belief functional definitions define it in terms of the social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society.

Question 3

Constructionist definitions.

Answer 3

Social constructionist take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion.

Question 4

What is society’s most basic need?

Answer 4

Social order and solidarity.

Question 5

How is order possible in society?

Answer 5

The existence of value consensus.

Question 6

What is menat by the sacred?

Answer 6

They are things set apart and forbidden, that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder, and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions.

Question 7

What is menat by the profane?

Answer 7

They are the things that have no special significance- things that are ordinary and mundane.

Question 8

What’s the significance of the totem in clan worship?

Answer 8

It’s the clan’s emblem, such as an animal or plant that symbolises the clan’s origins and identity.

Question 9

What is menat by the collective conscience?

Answer 9

It’s the shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge that make social life and cooperation between individuals possible.

Question 10

How do rituals reinforce the collective conscience?

Answer 10

Participating in shared rituals binds individuals together, reminding them that they are part of a single moral community to which they owe their loyally.

Question 11

Two cognitive functions of religion.

Answer 11

In order to share our thoughts, we need to use the same categories as others.
To think at all we need categories such as time, space, cause, substance, number etc.

Question 12

3 Criticisms of Durkheim’s views on religion

Answer 12

It applies better to small-scale societies.
It caht be applied to contemporary societies.
It declines church attendance and collective worship so isn’t applicable to Western Societies.

Question 13

According to Malinowski, how does religion promote social solidarity?

Answer 13

By performing psychological function for individuals, helping them cope with emotional stress that would undermine social solidarity.

Question 14

What are the two types of situations in which Malinowski suggests religion promotes social solidarity.

Answer 14

-Where the outcome is important but is uncontrollable and thus uncertain.
-At times of life crises-events such as births, puberty, marriage and especially death.

Question 15

According to Parsons, what are the 2 essential functions of religion?

Answer 15

-It creates and legitimises society’s central values.
-It is the primary source of meaning.

Question 16

How does religion act as a source of meaning.

Answer 16

It answers ‘ultimate’ questions about the human condition.

Question 17

What is meant by civil religion?

Answer 17

A belief system that attaches sacred qualities to doctors itself.

Question 18

How does civil religion bind Americans together?

Answer 18

American civil religion involves loyalty to the nation-state and a bleif in God, both of which are equated with being a true American.

Question 19

3 criticisms of the functionalist view of religion.

Answer 19

-It ignores religion as a source of division and conflict.
-It neglects negative aspects of religion.
-It ignores what makes religion distinctive and different.

Question 20

How do Marxists see society?

Answer 20

Divided into 2 class, one of which exploits the labour of the other. Working class and Ruling class.

Question 21

According to Marx, how will exploitation be overcome?

Answer 21

When the working class become conscious of their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism.

Question 22

What will happen to religion in a classless society?

Answer 22

There won’t be a need for religion.

Question 23

Define ideology.

Answer 23

It’s a belift system that distorts people’s perceptions of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class.

Question 24

How does religion act as an ideological weapon?

Answer 24

By the ruling class to justify suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god-given.

Question 25

What did Lenin mean by the claim that religion is ‘spiritual gin’?

Answer 25

An intoxicated doled out to the masses by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place.

Question 26

How does religion legitimise the power and privilege of the dominant class?

Answer 26

By making their position appear to be divinely ordained.

Question 27

Define alienation.

Answer 27

Involves becoming separated from or losing control over something that one has produced or created.

Question 28

How is religion a product of alienation, according to Marx.

Answer 28

It arises out of suffering and acts as a consolation for it, but fails to deal with its cause, namely class exploitation.

Question 29

3 criticisms of the Marxist view of religion.

Answer 29

-He ignores positive functions of religion like psychological adjustment to misfortune.

-Some like Althusser (1971) reject the concept of alienation as unscientific and based on a romantic idea that human beings have a ‘true self.’

-Religion doesn’t necessarily function effectively as an ideology to control the population.

Question 30

Define patriarchy.

Answer 30

Male dominated.

Question 31

How do feminists regard religion?

Answer 31

A patriarchal institution that reflects inequality like not having female leaders in the church.

Question 32

How do religious organisations demonstrate patriarchy?

Answer 32

Mainly male dominated despite the fact that women often participate more than men in these organisations.

Question 33

How do place of worship demonstrate patriarchy?

Answer 33

Often segregated the sexes and marginalise women. Women’s participation may be restricted. Taboos that regard menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth as polluting may prevent participation.

Question 34

How do sacred texts demonstrate patriarchy?

Answer 34

Largely feature the doings of male gods, prophets etc and ste usalky written and interpreted by men.

Question 35

How do religious laws and customs demonstrate patriarchy?

Answer 35

May give women fewer rights.
Many religions legitimate and regulate women’s traditional domestic and reproductive role.

Question 36

According to Armstrong, in what ways had the position of women within religion changed?

Answer 36

Goddesses were introduced.
Early religions often placed women at the centre.

Question 37

What is one example of how some women use religion to gain greater freedom and respect?

Answer 37

Despite the strong belief in trandional gender roles that such groups hold, women are able to use religion to increase their power and influence.

Question 38

What are piety movements and which women are most likely to join them?

Answer 38

They are conservative movements that support traditional tecahings about women’s role, modest dress, prayer and Bible study. They include pentecostal and evangelical groups, and some forms of non-christian religions.

Question 39

What are liberals Protestant movements?

Answer 39

They are often committed to gender equality and women play leading roles.