Functionalism - Theories Of Religion (CF)

Question 1

Func-Religion unites people AO1

Answer 1

Durkheim- studied totemism
- practice of worshipping a sacred object represents religion
- really worshipping society, acts as a social glue
-sharing beliefs develops moral ties and a sense of shared identity
- collective conscience
-bind society together
religion acts as a conservative force
- shared regular religious rituals reinforce collective conscience and maintains social integration- preventing any damaging rapid social change

Question 2

Func-Religion unites people AO3

Answer 2

• lacks contemporary relevance, studied a single faith society
• today we have a complex multi faith society so his theory may not apply
• different religions and values can tear people apart and pose threats to social order and stability
• diminishing religiosity and growing secularisation
• perhaps religion lacks power to act as a social glue

Question 3

Func-Religion answers ultimate questions AO1

Answer 3

-about life
- answers questions about human condition eg why good die young
- such events defy sense of justice and make life appear meaningless
-may undermine commitment to societys values
- religion solves this feeling and creates a sense of belonging and comfort

Question 4

Func-Religion answers ultimate questions AO3

Answer 4

Marxists and feminists
-rose tinted
- religion passes on the ideology of the dominant group, not those of everyone
Religion is used to keep the subordinate group passive

Question 5

Func-Religion provides comfort AO1

Answer 5

Malinowski
- provides comfort and certainty in two situations
1. Where the outcome is important but uncontrollable and uncertain
-trobriand islanders
-survived on fish, necessary to fish in the ocean
- sometimes unsafe and unpredictable
-relied on ‘canoe magic’

2. At times of life crises
   - comfort, explanation and meaning for individuals when faced with crises eg bereavement
   - funeral services act as comfort
   -beliefs of life after death
   -support from gathering friends and family
   -church attendance soars during wartime

Question 6

Func-Religion provides comfort AO3

Answer 6

Malinowskis theory may lack contemporary relevance
-based on single faith society
-people today may turn to science for certainty
-eg setting on a journey you don’t know may use satnav to ensure you get back safely rather than a religious ritual

Question 7

Func-Religion integrates society AO1

Answer 7

Bellah
America is united by a civil religion

-civil religion integrates society in a way religion cannot, not many churches or denominations can claim loyalty of all Americans, civil religion can
-civil religion involves loyalty to the nation state and belief in God, both of which are equated with being a true American
-pledge of allegiance to the flag, national anthem, ‘one nation under God’
-binds Americans from many ethnic and religious backgrounds

Question 8

Func-Religion integrates society AO3

Answer 8

Bellah’s work answers the criticism made of Durkheim’s work.
Bellah’s civil religion does apply to multi-faith societies and
contemporary relevance.