religion as a force for social stability

Question 1

functionalist perspective on religion as a conservative force

Answer 1

-durkheim - religion maintains social cohesion and stability, taking on the role of agent of socialisation as well as an informal form of social control that helps maintain the status quo by providing a cultural basis for norms and values and legitimising them
-Malinowski - provides explanations for big questions, fulfils a need for emotional security, relieves social stress which could lead to a breakdown in social solidarity

Question 2

marxist perspective of religion as a conservative force

Answer 2

-ideological state apparatus helping maintain ruling class power and ideology
-Marx - opium of the masses
-promises an eventual escape in the afterlife

Question 3

feminist perspective on religion as a conservative force

Answer 3

-helps maintain patriarchy
-religion justified, reinforces and reproduces beliefs based on male domination by showing women as submissive in religious texts, marginalising their role in religious hierarchy, and religious laws giving women fewer rights eg divorce

Question 4

interpretivist perspective on religion as a conservative force

Answer 4

-Berger - universe of meaning, a set of beliefs that help make sense of the world and gives life meaning. religion provides a sacred canopy providing a shield from the uncertainties of life

Question 5

what does religion as a compensator mean?

Answer 5

Stark and Bainbridge
-religion meets the needs of an individual when their sense of social order is disrupted
-religion makes sense of the chaos and acts as a compensator