Functionalist Theories of Religion

Question 1

What are the 6 functionalist theories of religion?

Answer 1

• sacred symbols which unite people
• collective conscience
• cognitive ability
• psychological role
• meaning in life
• civil religion

Question 2

According to Durkheim, how does religion provide people with sacred symbols which unite communities?

Answer 2

Interested in how religious belief systems revolve around the creation of sacred objects. Most objects are “profane” but to religious followers, they are “sacred”. For example, holy books such as the Koran and the Bible. Each religion has symbols as well such as the cross in Christianity.

Question 3

According to Durkheim, what do sacred symbols and objects do?

Answer 3

He believed that sacred symbols and objects are a visible representation of a persons belief in the supernatural. These symbols are powerful tools in bringing people together to maintain social order.
Because Durkheim did not believe in the supernatural himself, he saw people worshipping as people worshipping society. God was made to make sense on the world around them so any worshipping that takes place is worshipping society which is a powerful tool in bringing communities together.

Question 4

What example did Durkheim use to illustrate his theory about sacred symbols bringing communities together?

Answer 4

Totemism in Aborigine Communities
Clans worshipped spirits by carving them out of objects known as the Totem pole. Such pole is sacred to the clan and is a visual representation of people worshipping the society they reside in

Question 5

Evaluation of Durkheim’s claim that sacred symbols bring communities together?

Answer 5

• not everyone needs a faith to feel a sense of belonging
• symbols can bring about conflict
• some symbols can oppress certain groups i.e. islam

Question 6

According to Durkheim, how does religion promote collective conscience?

Answer 6

Durkheim identified two practical benefits of religion

Question 7

According to Durkheim, what are the two ways religion can bring about collective conscience?

Answer 7

• value consensus

- social integration

Question 8

According to Durkheim, how does religion promoting value consensus lead to collective conscience?

Answer 8

Leads to a shared agreement over the key norms and values. He notes that most of societies key values come from traditional religious teachings.
Example – moral codes and law followed in western society are traced by to Christian origin. Ten Commandments ect

Question 9

According to Durkheim, how does religion lead to social integration which leads to collective conscience?

Answer 9

This is achieved by providing people with sacred objects to reinforce their membership of a faith. Integration starts early when parents socialise their children into a faith and making them apart of a community
Combination of consensus and integration leads to collective conscience whereby everyone in a faith is taught and believe the same things, everyone acts in the same way creating a cohesive community

Question 10

Evaluation of Durkheim’s claim that religion creates collective conscience through consensus and integration?

Answer 10

• not all members of a faith group follow it the same way
• migration has meant that different religions don’t mix
• securlarisation

Question 11

According to Durkheim, how does religion contribute towards the cognitive ability of individuals?

Answer 11

Durkheim believes that is was religion that helped people develop their cognitive ability. He did not believe God was real but it was created by humans in order to make sense of the world around them e.g. creationism
Therefore religion was the original source of knowledge
Even today religion still plays an active role in debate keeping peoples ability to discuss argue and reason

Question 12

Evaluation of Durkheim’s claim that religion contributes towards cognitive ability?

Answer 12

• science

- securlarisation

Question 13

According to Malinowski, what is the psychological role of religion?

Answer 13

Agrees that religion promotes solidarity but also helps that stress and anxiety that undermines social solidarity

Question 14

According to Malinowski, what are the 2 reasons that religion is a psychological role?

Answer 14

• life crises

- uncertain times

Question 15

According to Malinowski, how does religion help with life crises?

Answer 15

Death, puberty are all difficult times which undermines social solidarity. Religion helps through funerals e.c.t

Question 16

According to Malinowski, how does religion help with uncertain times (Trobriand example)?

Answer 16

Trobriand islanders had an animistic faith (fate controlled by spirits). They livelihood was deep sea fishing which is dangerous. The religious rituals that preceded such fishing helped the islanders deal with the stress of uncertain times, helped maintain a sense of order. Unified the group against a threat.

Question 17

Evaluation of Malinowksi’s view that religion helps psychologically?

Answer 17

• other institutions to help cope

- does a difficult experience make people rethink religion?

Question 18

According to Parsons, how does religion provide people with a source of purpose and meaning in life (3 reasons)?

Answer 18

• help people make sense of difficult events
• outlining central values
• make sense of illogical things

Question 19

According to Parsons, how does religion help people make sense of difficult events (religion providing a purpose)?

Answer 19

When people pass away, funerals are given to help bereaved individuals in their coping. Afterlife and part of Gods plan

Question 20

According to Parsons, how does religion outline central values (religion providing a purpose)?

Answer 20

Religion helps outline acceptable behaviour with guidelines on living e.c.t key norms and values

Question 21

According to Parsons, how can religion be used to make sense of illogical things (religion providing a purpose)?

Answer 21

People may question why there is so much suffering on earth or why some people are extremely wealthy. War and famine. Suffering on earth will lead to a life in heaven Christianity claims

Question 22

Evaluation of Parsons view that religion gives people meaning in life?

Answer 22

• secularisation
• science
• gods plan could take away rational thought

Question 23

According to Bellah, why is the USA moving towards a civil religion?

Answer 23

In Western Societies there has been a rise in religious diversity, even if religion is declining people still have their behaviour regulated by religious values. Therefore a civil religion is formed whereby religious values have been applied to an otherwise non-religious society

Question 24

According to Bellah, what are the 5 ways in which western societies are based upon traditional religion?

Answer 24

-hierarchy of leaders
-sacred symbols
-rituals and ceremonies
-special days of celebration
American culture promotes the idea that their land is the one chosen by god, bounding societies together

Question 25

Evaluation of Bellahs view that western societies are bound by civil religion?

Answer 25

• western societies are not solid

- leader of country is not a sacred figure