Religion Flashcards
How do functionalists believe religion can help during times of life crises?
Major events in life, such as death, can be disruptive.
Religion can difuse the notion of crisis during these times by:
1. Bringing people together so they are not suffering alone.
2. Redefining religious teachings as a source of comfort and clarifying them once more.
3. Can provide a source of comfort for example during a funeral to see many people together celebrating the person’s life.
Who say religion as performing psychological functions for an individual?
Malinowski
How do religious rituals help in times of uncertainty?
- Promotes a value consensus, makes people feel they are all in this together and the risky task is worthy to engage in.
- Attempts to control the uncertainty.
- Helps to reduce any anxiety during the uncertain time.
Why did the Trobriand Islanders perform rituals?
During times of uncertainty, in the case of the Islanders before they fished in the ocean as it was seen as unsafe, they would perform rituals of ‘canoe magic’ to try and control the situation.
What is sacred?
Something thst is special, significant or symbolic in a religion, such as the wine and bread in Christianity.
What is profane?
Something that is ordinary and secular.
What does Durkheim argue religion is based on?
The division between the sacred and profane.
How is sacredness a social concept?
Durkheim argues that anything can be regarded as sacred by people and that sacredness is not an inherent, intrinsic quality built into something. Sacredness is a label attached to something.
What can sacredness provoke?
Powerful emotions and inspires love, awe and respect. It is surrounded by taboos and prohibitions.
What does religion consist of according to Durkheim?
Not simply a set of beliefs, but also involves rituals or practices in relation to the sacred. These rituals are collective and all perform the essential function of uniting believers into a single, moral community.
What is a totem?
A sacred symbol in a religion that is an outward and visible symbol of the religion and their God.
What function do rituals involving a totem have?
Rituals surrounding a totem represent the power of the religious group and thus served to reinforce the group’s solidarity and sense of belonging.
