functionalism and religion

Question 1

What is the substantive definition of religion

Answer 1

Focus on the content or substantive belive such as a belief in god

Question 2

What did max Weber say about the substantive definition

Answer 2

Religion is a belief in a superior or supernatural power that is above nature

Question 3

Criticism of substantive definitions

Answer 3

Accused of western bias because they exclude religions such as Buddhism where there is no god

Question 4

Functional definitions of religion

Answer 4

Defined religion in terms of its social or psychological function it performs for individuals or society

Question 5

What did Yinger say about functional definition

Answer 5

Religion answers ‘ultimate questions” about the meaning of life which helps individuals feel comfort and have a end goal of life and makes them feel part of a society

Question 6

Criticism of functional definition

Answer 6

Just because an institution helps integrate people into communities and groups doesn’t mean that chanting at a football match is a religion

Question 7

Constuctionalist definitions

Answer 7

Interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion not possible to have only 1 definition

RELIGION IS SUBJECTIVE

Question 8

What are Durkheim 4 functions

Answer 8

Cohesion
Discipline
Vitalisation
Euphoria

Question 9

What is the sacred and profane

Answer 9

Sacred- things set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe
Profane- things with no special significance

The sacred envicie feelings of power because they reprender something above them which untied believes into a single moral community

Question 10

Totemism

Answer 10

Durkheim studied the Arunta tribe and saw that they came together to perform rituals in worshiping the totem this resembles them worshiping society without knowing it as it inspires a feeling of awe

Question 11

Durkheim cognitive function

Answer 11

Religion is the origin of the concepts and categories we need for reasoning and communicating religion is originó of human thought

Question 12

Worsley criticism of Durkheim

Answer 12

No Sharp division between sacred and profane and different religions share the same totems. Therefore Durkheim’s theory may be better in small scale societies but harder to apply in large scale societies doesn’t explain conflict between communities

Question 13

Malinowski’s Two functions

Answer 13

Psychological functions:
Helping the trobiand islanders cope with emotional stress that could undermine solidarity in 2 situations

1- where the outcome is important but uncontrollable. When they go ocean fishing perform rituals to ensure a safe and successful expedition

2- at times of crisis. Events such as birth and marriage. for example funeral rituals promote feelings of solidarity among survivors

Question 14

Civil religion Bellah

Answer 14

Civil religions is a belief system that doesn’t reply in the conception of god but still inspired passionate mass response

For example the adherence to American values allowed america to be inclusion of diverse religions

Ex pledging allegiance to the flag

Question 15

Criticism of bellah

Answer 15

Is this a religion or nationalism? Concepts of civil religion question the substantive definition of religion

Question 16

Berger on religion

Answer 16

Function of religion is proving sense of meaning of life religion create shared universe of meaning and once acted like a sacred canopy

Conflict the priest does agree with idea of shared universe of meaning as they believe religion works in interest of elite groups religion tells us that inequality is gods will