Religion as a conservative force

Question 1

Religion is to …

Answer 1

Maintain status quo in society

Question 2

DURKHIEM IDEA (functionalist)

clue - social solidarity

Answer 2

Religion promotes social solidarity (ceremonies, artifacts, rituals etc) …. it gives people a sense of belonging

Question 3

PARSONS IDEA (functionalist)

Clue- commitment

Answer 3

Religion provided answers to questions that could destabilise an individuals commitment to society

Question 4

MARX IDEA

clue - ideological basis legitimising inequality

Answer 4

the Ideological basis of religion discouraged challenges to the ruling class, legitimising inequality in society as gods will ….. promotes promises of rewards in the afterlife for being poor

Question 5

FEMINIST VIEWS and SIMONE DE BEAVOUIR

clue- patriarchal structures

Answer 5

• Focuses on patriarchal structure of society

- Religion is organised on patriarchal structures that view women as inferior to men

Question 6

EVIDENCE

clue- reverting to traditional values

Answer 6

• rise of fundamentalism in the face of globalisation and changing social attitudes
• New right in the USA look to revert back to traditional values, challenging abortion and LGBT rights

Question 7

EVALUATION

Answer 7

Other Marxists feel that religion has a dual purpose in aiding revolution, offering hope and challenging dominant ideologies