functionalism and religion Flashcards
Durkheim’s idea
Durkheim was the first functionalist thinker to develop the idea that religion is a key institution in creating and maintaining value consensus.
For Durkheim a key feature in the definition of religion was the distinction between the sacred and the profane
the sacred
the things that are set apart and are forbidden, they inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder. They are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions
the profane
by contrast are mundane and have no significance.
E.G: Reading a romance novel is profane, reading the bible is sacred!
Arunta
The Arunta are a clan that come together to perform rituals involving the worship of a sacred totem. The totem is the clan’s emblem, E.G: an animal or plant that symbolizes the clan’s origins and identity. The rituals serve to reinforce the group’s sense of solidarity and belonging.
the collective conscience
Durkheim believed that the sacred symbol represents societies collective conscience.
Regular shared religious rituals reinforce the collective conscience and reinforce social order. People bond through shared sacred rituals and are reminded of the power of society, without which they are nothing and owe everything to.
Religion helps people feel they are part of something bigger than themselves. It helps to reinvigorate people in the face of life’s trials and motivate us to overcome obstacles.
Durkheim even thought that Nationalism was a form of religion- he called it civil religion, because it had a similar function to more conventional religions.
Cognitive functions of religion
Durkheim believed that religion is the source of the concepts and categories we need for reasoning, understanding the world and communicating. In other words our ability to reason and think conceptually!
It provides us with basic categories such as time, space and causation
evaluation for Durkheim
- Durkheim only studied small scale societies. How can generalizations be made on such a small sample? Worsley (1956) also notes there is no sharp division between the sacred and profane- different clans share totems.
- It does not applying to modern society. For example, Mestrovic (2011) argues that in a modern society Durkheim’s theory of religion could not be applied because increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscience. Durkheim’s theory of religion is therefore only really applicable to small scale societies.
- Durkheim fails to take into consideration that religion can also create conflict within society. For example, Ireland where there is more than one religion. Therefore, its role in helping to maintain social solidarity could be questioned.
- Civil religion has been particularly criticised for pushing the boundaries of possibility. Civil religion has no supernatural element and has therefore not been seen by many as a religion at all!
psychological functions
Anthropologist Malinowski agrees with Durkheim that religion promotes social solidarity.
However, he does not see religion as reflecting society as a whole, nor does he see religious rituals as worshiping society.
Malinowski believed that religion performed a psychological function in helping people cope with emotional stress that would undermine social solidarity. He identified 2 types of situation in society:
Malinowski
- Where the outcome is important but is uncontrollable and thus uncertain. (E.G: The Trobriand Islanders: fishing in the lagoon was considered safe, but when fishing in the ocean, they prayed and carried out rituals to overcome fear.
- At times of crisis, such as birth, puberty, marriage and death. Malinowski believed that death was the most disruptive of all these events. Religion helps us deal with death through the act of a funeral
What does parsons believe
Like Malinowski Parsons believes that religion helps people cope with uncontrollable events. In addition, Parson’s helps identify 2 essential functions that religion performs in society:
Parson’s helps identify 2 essential functions that religion performs in society:
- It creates and legitimates society’s central values. Religion provides a guideline by which people can live their lives and be evaluated against. E.G: , Christianity in the USA underpins the value consensus for even those who are not religious, as formal laws have their origins in Christianity. The Ten Commandments perform the basis for many social norms.
- It is a primary source of meaning. Religion helps give answers to questions we simply cannot answer. For example why do the good suffer and why some die young? This means that religion enables people to adjust to adverse events and helps maintain stability.
civil religion: Bellah (1991)
Like Parsons, Bellah is interested in how religion can unify society. However, for Bellah in an American society with multiple faiths this is achieved through a civil religion- a belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself. In America it is the ‘American way of life’.
IN WHAT WAYS DO AMERICAN CITIZENS EXPRESS THEIR LOYALTY TO THE STATE?
It is expressed in a variety of religious symbols and rituals, such as pledging allegiance to the flag. However, the god spoken of is not of any particular faith but an American god. Thus, this sacralises the American way of life bringing together Americans of all kind.
This is described as a functional alternative. (Non-religious beliefs and practices that perform functions similar to those of organised religion)
what is American civil religion all about
American civil religion involves both a belief in god and a loyalty to the nation state. By doing this people can call themselves a true American
evaluation of functionalism
- Focuses on the positive aspect of religion and fails to recognise that it can be a source of oppression for women and the poor.
- It ignores the notion that religion can be a source of conflict. For example, Northern Ireland or the Israel/Palestine conflict.
3.Where there are multiple religions it is hard to see how people can be united. One response to this could be civil religion. However, in ignoring the supernatural, civil religion has been questioned as a religion.
- It ignores the impact of secularisation. It would be difficult to use religion to create solidarity and harmony in a society experiencing religious decline.
