Functionalism on Religion

Question 1

Key term: The Sacred vs. The Profane

Answer 1

Scared: things set apart and forbidden, that inspire awe, fear & wonder

Profane: things that are ordinary and have no special significance

Question 2

Key term: Collective Conscience

Answer 2

Shared norms, values, beliefs & knowledge that make social life & cooperation between individuals possible

Question 3

Key term: Social Solidarity

Answer 3

Action or moral principle by which society as a whole tries to eliminate certain adverse situations that some of its members suffer

Question 4

Key term: Sacralise (verb)

Answer 4

to treat something as having a sacred quality

Question 5

Cognitive Functions - Durkheim

Answer 5

Religion was origin of concepts and categories that we need for reasoning, understanding world & communication. Argues that people need concepts such as time, space, cause, substance and number to make sense of the world, & that we need to share these concepts with other to communicate effectively.

Question 6

Psychological Functions - Malinowski

Answer 6

Religion helps people to cope with emotional stress which could undermine social solidarity.
1. When outcomes is important but uncontrollable and uncertain. (e.g. Triobrand tribe lagoon fishing)
2. At times of life crisis - major life events such as birth, death, marriage and puberty can be a cause of major disruption and religion serves to minimise that disruption.

Question 7

Values and Meanings - Parsons

Answer 7

Religion helps people to cope with unforeseen situations and uncontrollable outcomes.
Two essential functions:
1. Creates & legitimates societies central values by sacralising them which serves to promote a value consensus
2. Primary source of meanings by trying to answer ultimate questions about human conditions such as why people suffer and good die young. Which enables people to make sense of these & helps society maintain stability

Question 8

Civil Region - Bellah

Answer 8

Belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself. (e.g. “American way of life”)
Argues that civil religion integrates society in way that all different churches & religions in America cannot. Expressed through various symbols & rituals such as pledge of allegiance, national anthem. Phrases such as “one nation under God”

Question 9

Criticism of functionalist definitions of religion

Answer 9

• Ignores negative aspects of religion such as hate crimes, oppression of certain social groups & fundamentalism
• Hamilton & Dysfunction: ignores ways which religion can be source for social division (e.g. Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics)

Question 10

Pros of Religion (Functionalism)

Answer 10

-Emphasises social nature of religion
- Religion acts as a conservative force & reinforces sense of belonging to society (Durkheim)
- Religious rituals help maintain order in times of social change (Parsons)
- Religion can help make sense of tragic events (Malinowski)
- Religion can strengthen national identity (Bellah)

Question 11

Cons of Religion (Functionalism)

Answer 11

• Neglects negative aspects (e.g. oppression of poor or women)
• Religion can act as source of conflict, especially in modern societies where there if more than 1 religion
• Ignores role that religion can play in social change
• Secularisation means that religion has declining functions