DEFINING RELIGION

Question 1

SUBSTANTIVE DEFINITION

Answer 1

belief in a supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically. This definition is EXCLUSIVE- draws a clear line between what ARE RELIGIOUS and NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, to be a RELIGION THERE MUST BE A BELIEF IN GOD or THE SUPERNATURAL

Question 2

FUNCTIONAL DEFINITION

Answer 2

EMPHASISES how RELIGION CONTRIBUTES to SOCIETY: PSYHCOLOGICALLY + SOCIALLY

DURKHEIM: religion STRENGTHENS SOCIAL SOLIDARITY+INTEGRATION

YINGER: religion ANSWERS QUESTIONS about the MEANING of LIFE

Question 3

CONSTRUCTIONIST DEFINITION

Answer 3

there is not a UNIVERSAL DEFINITION OF RELIGION, interested in how DEFINITIONS are CONSTRUCTED + FOUGHT OVER.

ALDRIDGE: SCIENTOLOGY is a RELIGION to its believers but GOVERMENTS HAVE DENIED ITS LEGAL STATUS and SOUGHT to BAN IT.

Question 4

5 FEATURES OF RELIGION

Answer 4

1. belief in the sacred
2. distinction between the sacred and profane
3. ritual acts based on the scared and profane
4. moral code with supernatural origins
5. prayer and other forms of communication with supernatural beings