Religion acts as a Conservative Force

Question 1

Functionalism

Answer 1

• Religion keeps things the way they are. Society stays the way it is.
• Religion maintains the status quo by promoting integration and social solidarity; e.g. religion offers support at moments of crisis, answers big questions.
• Religion is a force for stability and order; discourages change.
• Religion brings people together, maintaining social solidarity.
• Religion ensures that people are socialised into the core values of society and therefore there is less risk of anomie.

Question 2

Interpretivism

Answer 2

• Religion keeps things the way they are by providing universes of meaning, giving people’s lives focus, meaning and order; no need to change society.
• Religion maintains the status quo by acting as a sacred canopy, helping people to make sense of the world as it is.
• Religion is a force for stability and order.

Question 3

Traditional Marxism

Answer 3

• Religion keeps things the way they are. Hierarchy is ‘god-given’.
• Religion maintains the status quo.
• Religion is a force for stability and order.

Question 4

Feminism

• Radical
• Marxist

Answer 4

• Religion keeps things the way they are.
• Religion maintains the status quo. e.g. stained glass ceiling.
• Religion is a force for stability and order.

Question 5

Religious Fundamentalism

Answer 5

• They want to maintain traditional values and are against modernity.