definitions of religion

Question 1

substantive definitions

Answer 1

Weber (1905)
-Defines religion a believing in a superior or supernatural power, that can’t be explained scientifically.

Question 2

criticisms of substantive definition

Answer 2

-Ignores religions which don’t believe in a god
-Accused of western bias, they exclude religions such as Buddhism which doesn’t have a western idea of a god

Question 3

Functional definitions

Answer 3

Durkheim (1915):
-Describes religion as an institute which contributes to social integration
Yinger (1970):
-Identifies the functions that religion performs for individuals e.g. answering ultimate questions about the meaning of life + what happens when we die.

Question 4

criticisms of functional definitions

Answer 4

-Just because an institution contributes to social integration, doesn’t make it a religion

Question 5

Constructionist definition

Answer 5

-There isn’t one exact definition for religion, but instead focus on the different meanings
Aldridge (2013):
-Shows how, for its followers, scientology is a religion, but several govts seek to ban it and denied it legal status.
-Shows definitions of religion can be contested and are influenced by those in power

Question 6

Criticisms of constructionist definition

Answer 6

-There’s a wide variety of definitions, so it’s difficult to generalise