Functionalist Theory Of Religion

Question 1

Durkheim- sacred vs profane

Answer 1

Sacred- things that are set apart and inspire feelings of awe

Profane- ordinary things

Question 2

Durkheim- When believers worship scared symbols, what are they actually worshipping?

Answer 2

Society itself because it is the only thing strong enough it evoke such strong emotions

Question 3

Durkheim- totenism

Answer 3

Arunta clans come together to perform rituals with sacred totems that are venerated

When they worship the totem symbol, they worship society itself

Question 4

Durkheim- collective conscience

Answer 4

Regular shared rituals reinforce the collective conscience by reminding participants that they are part of one moral community

Question 5

Durkheim- cognitive functions

Answer 5

Religion is the origin of the concepts we need to think rationally.e.g. ideas about creationism occuring at the beginning of time helps to comprehend time

Question 6

Durkheim Criticism- postmodernists

Answer 6

Mestrovic- his ideas cannot be applied to modern societies because they are too diverse which has caused a fragmented collective consciousness

Question 7

Malinowski- What are the psychological functions of religion? When are these functions performed?

Answer 7

Coping with emotional stress

1. When the outcome is important but uncontrollable
   - lagoon vs ocean fishing (trioband islanders)
2. At times of life crises
   - funeral rites give solidarity for survivors

Question 8

Parsons- functions of religion. Give examples

Answer 8

Creates and legitimates societies values by making them sacred e.g. protestantism sacrilises core American values

Primary source of meaning.e.g. answers ultimate questions

Question 9

What is a civil religion?

Answer 9

Bellah- a belief system which attaches sacred qualities to society itself and is capable of uniting multi faith societies

Question 10

Evaluation of functionalism (a positive and a negative)

Answer 10

• emphasises positive functions that religion performs

- ignores religion as a source for conflict (N. Ireland)