RELIGION AS A CONSERVATIVE FORCE

Question 1

FUNCTIONALISTS

Answer 1

Functionalists sees that religion is a conservative force as it is an important institution that maintains social cohesion and solidarity. Additionally, as an agent of socialisation and informal form of social control, religion helps to maintain the status quo by providing a cultural basis for norms and values. MALINOWSKI sees that religion also provides explanations for big questions, fulfils the need for emotional security and relieves social stress which without religion could lead to the breakdown of social solidarity.

Question 2

FEMINISTS

Answer 2

FEMINISTS believe religion is a conservative force as it maintains patriarchy by reinforcing and reproducing inequality based on male domination and control of women. This is achieved by MARGINALISING and RESTRICTING women in RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS and ENFORCING CUSTOMS that give women fewer rights than men.

Question 3

MARXISTS

Answer 3

MARXISTS see religion as an ISA that helps to maintain R/C ideology. MARX suggested that this ACHIEVED by using religion as a ‘OPIUM of the masses’ which clouds the reality of the W/C from seeing their EXPLOITATION and OPPRESSION from CAPITALIST SOCIETY.