crime and the media

Question 1

are substantive definitions of religion inclusive or exclusive

Answer 1

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

Question 2

how does durkheim destinguish between the sacred and profane

Answer 2

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

Question 3

explain how religion may perform a cognitive funcion

Answer 3

• 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’

Question 4

what is the significance of the totem in clan worship

Answer 4

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

Question 5

explain what is meant by civil religion

Answer 5

a belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself
‘AMERICANISM - THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE’

Question 6

critiscisms of durkheims view

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

when does religion promote social solidarity according to MALINOWSKI

Answer 7

• at times of life crisies

- where an outcome is important but uncontrollable A LEVEL EXAMS

Question 8

according to PARSONS what are the two central functions of religion

Answer 8

• creates and legitimates the central values of society

- primary source of meaning

Question 9

how can religion act as a source of meaning

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

how does civil religion bind americans together

Answer 10

• 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’

Question 11

critiscisms of the functionalist view on religion

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

according to marx what is the main cause of alienation

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

identify one way in which hinduism may legitimate inequality

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

ideology

Answer 14

a belief system that distorts people’s perceptions of reality, which benefits the interests of the ruling class

Question 15

how is religion used as an ideological weapon

Answer 15

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

Question 16

what did lenin mean by the claim that religion is a spiritual gin

Answer 16

an intoxicant given to the masses via the ruling class in order to confuse them and keep them in place.

Question 17

how does religion legitimate the power and privilege of the dominant class

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

critiscisms of the marxist view of religion

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

identify 3 ways in which religion may be patriarchial

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

give one example of how religion may be empowering for women

Answer 20

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