Functions of Religion

Question 1

Functionalist theory

Answer 1

• Durkheim, sacred and profane
• Durkheim, Totemism
• Parsons, Meanings and Values 1967
• Civil Religion, Bellah 1970
• Malinoswki, physiological functions
• Physological functions during life

Question 2

Parsons, value and meanings 1967

Answer 2

1. ) provides guideline on human action and creates norms and values, e.g bible 10 commandments
2. )helps provide a copying mechanism with problems that disrupt social life
3. ) provides meaning and answers to inequalities in life (afterlife and karma).

Question 3

Malinowski: Physological problems

Answer 3

Agrees with Durkheim.
1.) outcome is important but uncontrollable/uncertain
2.) at times of life crisis
study of western pacific fishermen, lagoon safe and predictable, pray during ocean as dangerous.

Question 4

Bellah 1970: Civil Religion

Answer 4

a belief system that attached sacred qualities to society itself. this could be an identity or way of life with no sacredness attached to god.
E.g US, multi faith, solidarity through the flag, symbol, anthem.

Question 5

Durkheim: Sacred and Profane

Answer 5

Sacred: things that have been labelled, important or significant. things that are set apart
Profane: ordinary objects, no significance, mundane.

we come together to worship these sacred symbols, but we are actually worshipping society itself.

Question 6

Durkheim: Totemism

Answer 6

studied the simplest form of society, clan, aboriginal society. Come together to perform rituals and worship the totem. reinforces collective concious and solidarity.

Question 7

Physological functions during life

Answer 7

birth, adulthood, marriage and death. big life events, social solidarity. physically shows togetherness.

Question 8

A03 Functionalism

Answer 8

Marxist physiological funcs: believes religion acts as a reason for poverty, e.g poor you will be rewarded.

• ignores r as a reason for conflict
• neglects negs of religion, e.g women

Question 9

Marxism overall view

Answer 9

“religion is the opium of the people”
“man makes religion, religion does not make man”
religion creates FCC, especially for the underclass

idea of rewards
e.g christianity “it is easier for a camel..”

Question 10

Marxist: ideological weapon

Answer 10

religion used to justify the suffering of the w.c, inevitable and God given. Believe that pain is virtuous and will be favoured. FCC!!

Question 11

Marxist: Lenin

Answer 11

spiritual gin, given out by the ruling glass in order to keep their place and manipulate masses and stop them attempting to overthrow. “mystical fog”

Question 12

Marxist: Gramsci

Answer 12

Believes that religion is two-faced, as hegemonic control isn’t inevitable but reliogn is used instead of theoretical guidance to revolt.

Question 13

Marxist: Religion and Alienation

Answer 13

alienation is more extreme under capitalism and workers are alienated as they don’t own what they produce. therefore religion helps dull the pain of exploitation

Question 14

Feminist: Religious laws and customs

Answer 14

patriarchal society as that is what we needed historically, men appeared stronger so fulfilled this role.

Question 15

Feminist: places of worship and sacred texts

Answer 15

Catholic Church–> women have no power, speech no singing.

scared text–> wives submit to your husbands
women must remain silent in the church
women are worth half a man

Question 16

Feminist: Simon De Beavior

Answer 16

argues women are oppressed in religion through the form of sacred texts, places of worship, prophets and rules.

this suffering and oppression is justified as women are taught they will be rewarded in the afterlife.

FALSE CONCIOUSNESS

Question 17

Feminist: Christianity

Answer 17

Christianity portrays women in two ways:

1. ) pure, motherhood, innocence, Virgin Mary.
2. ) hatred towards women, slut, Mary magdeline

evidence: Mormon allowed multiple wives
monks
Catholicism, women not priests

Question 18

Feminist: Aldridge

Answer 18

argues religion is sacred and separate from socially constructed culture
men use religion to oppress women

Question 19

Feminist: AO3

Answer 19

Pos: real life examples of female oppression
Marx agree

Neg: female god, e.g greek
men also oppressed, monks
as secularisation occurs so does equality

Question 20

Postmodernism:

Answer 20

increase choice in society, disillusioned with mainstream religion, people bettering themselves, spiritual shoppers, individualism,.

Question 21

PM: modernity before 1980

Answer 21

• trad reliigon
• nuclear family
• christianity in UK, e.g bible and laws, homo

Question 22

PM: Jesus in Disneyland- Lyon

Answer 22

1.) Relocation of religion
globalisation in pm society, spread of new religions and cultures. e.g Disneyland have christian singers
2.) Re-enchantment of reliigon
recent decades of ‘re-enchantment’ although trad rel declined, growth of Nam in western c
3.) Religious consumerism
spiritual shoppers- leger, pick and choose to suit your needs

Question 23

PM: spiritual revolution- Heelas and Woodhead

Answer 23

believe trad religion is declining and being replaced by NAM, e.g aromatherapy, yoga, crystals.

Trad religion is time consuming, traditional, disciplined, objective and does not fit into our PM society.

Question 24

PM: Vicarious Religion- Davie

Answer 24

the minority are religious and pray on the majorities behalf. everyone is religious but not actively practicing.
For example, volunteering, going to church, homeless shelter.

Question 25

PM: Believing without BELONGING- Davie

Answer 25

people no longer feel the need to publicly show their religiosity through church attendance and group worship

• -> no time
• -> social stigma

see it in other ways, food, dress, cross necklace
or replaced through sport, social media.