crime and the media Flashcards
are substantive definitions of religion inclusive or exclusive
they are exclusive because they draw a clear line between religious / non religious beliefs. they conform to the belief that religion is limited to ONLY a belief in GOD, ignoring other beliefs and practices
how does durkheim destinguish between the sacred and profane
sacred - things in society that are set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe fear and wonder
profane - have no special significance - ordinary and mundane
explain how religion may perform a cognitive funcion
- religion allows us to reason and think conceptually because it provides basic categories like time, space and causation. divisions of tribes into clans give humans their first notion of ‘classification’
what is the significance of the totem in clan worship
the totem is seen as ‘sacred’ which evokes powerful feelings of something of a higher being.
- arunta, an aboriginal australian tribe uses a totem to reinforce group solidarity and a sense of belonging
explain what is meant by civil religion
a belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself
‘AMERICANISM - THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE’
critiscisms of durkheims view
postmodermist MESTROVIC argues that durkheim’s ideas cannot be applied to modern day society - increasing diversity means the collective concience has been fragmented
-worsley argues there is no sharp division between the sacred and the profane - different clans share the same totems.
when does religion promote social solidarity according to MALINOWSKI
- at times of life crisies
- where an outcome is important but uncontrollable A LEVEL EXAMS
according to PARSONS what are the two central functions of religion
- creates and legitimates the central values of society
- primary source of meaning
how can religion act as a source of meaning
- it makes societal norms and values sacred.
- it answers ‘ultimate’ questions about life, like why the good suffer why some die young
‘suffering’ explained as a test of faith - rewarded in heaven
how does civil religion bind americans together
- it claims the loyalty of all americans
- loyalty to the nation state and a belief in God - ‘true American’
-pledge of alleigance, national anthem, ‘one nation under god’
critiscisms of the functionalist view on religion
- functionalism only focuses on the positive aspects of religion, ignoring the fact that religion can lead to wars and conflicts
- is ‘civil religion’ really a form of religion? its not based on a belief in the supernatural
- religion can act as a form of oppression
according to marx what is the main cause of alienation
capitalism - seperates people from things they have created because workers have no control over what they produce so they have no freedom to express their nature as creative human beings.
identify one way in which hinduism may legitimate inequality
the hindu caste system legitimates inequality because it leads people to believe that their inferior position in society is because of KARMA - it assures the people at the bottom of the caste system that their obedience will be rewarded by reincarnation into a higher caste.
ideology
a belief system that distorts people’s perceptions of reality, which benefits the interests of the ruling class
how is religion used as an ideological weapon
it is used to legitimate the suffering of the poor as something ‘inevitable’ and ‘god given’. the poor are led to believe they will be rewarded in heaven
what did lenin mean by the claim that religion is a spiritual gin
an intoxicant given to the masses via the ruling class in order to confuse them and keep them in place.
how does religion legitimate the power and privilege of the dominant class
makes their position appear to be ‘divinely ordanined’
16TH CENTURY ‘DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS’ = the belief that the king is the god’s earthly represenative whom is owed total obedience.
critiscisms of the marxist view of religion
- focuses too much on the negatives of religon - it is also positive as it offers a psychological adjustment to misfortunes, making people ready and prepared.
- althusser rejects the idea of ‘alienation’ // sees it as ‘unscientific’ and based on a romanticised idea that human beings have a true self
- religion is not always effective in controlling people // abercrombie argues that in pre capitalist society christianity was a major part in ruling class ideology but only had a limited impact on the peasantry population
identify 3 ways in which religion may be patriarchial
- religious organisations / mainly male dominated - orthordox,judaism and catholicism all forbid women to become priests
- places of worship / often segregate the sexes and marginalise women - seating them behind screens whilst men occupy more central sacred spaces
sacred texts / largely feature the doings of male gods and prophets. ‘anti female stereotypes’ like eve in the garden of eden
give one example of how religion may be empowering for women
women may use religion to gain respect for their roles within the private spheres
quakers and unitatians are commited to gender equality - 1/3rd of unitatian ministers are female and the coe have had female priests since 2002
