Evaluations

Question 1

Evaluation of functionalism

Answer 1

Ignores the negative aspects of religion such as hate crimes, oppression of certain social groups and fundamentalism. Hamilton and Dysfunction: Ignores the ways in which religion can be a source of social division, for example in Northern Ireland between the Protestants and the Catholics.

Question 2

Evaluation of marxism

Answer 2

Abercrombie, Hill and Turner –Religion doesn’t necessarily function as an ideology to control the population. In pre-industrial society Christianity was a major element of the ruling class ideology but had very little impact on the peasantry. Althusserrejects the idea of alienation as being unscientific and more of a romantic notion of people having a true self. This would make it an inadequate concept to base a theory of religion on. Ignores the positive functions of religion as set out by the Functionalists. Neo Marxists see certain forms of religion as assisting not hindering the development of class consciousness.

Question 3

Evaluation of neo-marxism

Answer 3

See religion as being socially significant in modern society despite the evidence of secularization. Pope John Paul llrejected the Liberation theory and told priests to focus on their religious responsibilities.