Functions Of Religion

Question 1

Functionalist theories

Answer 1

All functionalist theories of religion suggest that religion serves as an important purpose in society - it acts as social cement strengthening society and creates social harmony and consensus.

Question 2

Durkheim - the sacred and profane

Answer 2

Sacred - objects that are regarded as sacred often revoke strong emotions or respect, awe and defence
Profane - objects that are not sacred

Durkheim believed that all societies create sacred objects and these serve to symbolise society’s shared beliefs, values, traditions and norms called collective consciousness. Without this he believed society would collapse into a state of anomie. Collective consciousness creates and provides social solidarity bringing everyone together.

Question 3

Evaluation of Durkheim

Answer 3

STRENGHTS
- supporting evidence from aboriginal tribes where each clan had a totem which distinguished itself from other clans. It was regarded as sacred and embodied collective consciousness.
- universal - universal theory that can be applied to all religious groups in all cultures

WEAKNESSES
- unrepresentative
- oversimplified
- out dated

Question 4

Malinowski - two functions of religion

Answer 4

First function - to help the individual deal with life crises such as birth, death, marriage and puberty which he said are potentially disruptive and cause stress
Second function - to deal with anxiety created by events over which people have little control with the use of ritual eg praying in a dangerous situation like hunting.

Question 5

Evaluation of Malinowski

Answer 5

STRENGTHS]
- supporting evidence from trobriand islanders where religious rituals were commonly used to deal with life crisis. He found that when the islanders fished in calm waters they carried out no religious rituals but beyond the barrier reef a large number would take place

WEAKNESSES
- unrepresentative
- misinterpreted

Question 6

Parsons - two functions of religion

Answer 6

1 - religion provides core norms for society eg in Christian society individuals follow the 10 commandments for guidelines, taken from the bible. Many of the norms of the social system are taken from religious beliefs eg thou shalt not kill

2 - it strengthens social solidarity by neutralising threats to it. For example, religion provides answers to eternal questions about humanity and the world such as why good people suffer. He says that religion helps us make sense of the apparently meaningless by helping people in their situations to promote social stability and avoid anomie

Question 7

EVALUATION of Parsons two functions theory

Answer 7

STRENGHTS
One strength of Parsons ideas is that
there is anecdotal evidence from all
major religions to show they provide
the core values in society.
It is also a universal and flexible
theory that can be applied to most
religions.

WEAKNESSES
Conflict - ideas do not account for the conflict that religious causes
What came first - religion or core norms

Question 8

Bella’s function of religion - civil region in America

Answer 8

Bellah says that Americans have a ‘civil’ religion and that religion and nationality are intertwined. Americans are very proud of their country,
therefore religion in America is about their pride and identity, not about spiritual beings and ceremonies. They have a collection of beliefs, symbols and rituals. They have respect for sacred things that are an established part
of American society although in themselves these are not actually religious;
however, they provide the USA with social solidarity. America’s civil religion
has its own prophets (Lincoln), martyrs (Davy Crockett), sacred events
(Independence Day), sacred places (White House), solemn rituals (Pledge of
Allegiance) and symbols (Flag).

Question 9

EVALUATION of Bellah Civil Religion in America

Answer 9

STRENGTH
- generalisable - civil religions may well exist in other cultures eg UK

WEAKNESS
- not religion

Question 10

Feminist theories of religion - Holm evidence that religion is patriarchal

Answer 10

1 - religious scriptures - women are often subordinate and invisible eg Eve committed the original sin whilst God, Jesus and his disciples are male.

2 - barred from religious clergy - in Catholicism women do not become priests. There is a stained glass ceiling that determines how far up the ladder a female can progress in the clergy

3- patriarchal and religious practices - for men polygamy is permitted in Islam for example but for women in many countries there are serious punishments eg in Muslim countries women can be executed for commiting adultery.