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Sociology > Religion & Beliefs > Flashcards

Religion & Beliefs Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

How does religion create ‘social solidarity’ and perform as a function for society to Functionalists?

A

Binds people together to worship in religious services e.g churches, mosques and temples which makes them feel part of a group

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2
Q

How does religion create ‘value consensus’ and perform as a function for society to Functionalists?

A

Religion teaches society’s values/beliefs which makes sure everyone agrees/shares the same beliefs e.g 10 commandments in Christianity

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3
Q

How does religion offer emotional support and perform as a function for society to Functionalists?

A

Religion can offer emotional support when something happens in their lives e.g the death of a friend/relative which helps them find strength/comfort

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4
Q

How does religion create ‘social control’ and perform as a function for society to Functionalists?

A

It teaches the rules of society which controls their behaviour by promising rewards/punishments for how people behave e.g heaven/hell

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5
Q

How does religion promote ‘harmony/order’ and perform as a function for society to Functionalists?

A

Religion makes sure that society stays harmonious and orderly by putting rules in place

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6
Q

Sacred + Profane definitions

A
  • Sacred = Things treated with respect and seen as ‘above’ which are awe and reverence e.g Gods
  • Profane = All non-sacred/ religious aspects of life e.g work, school, sleeping
    All societies are divided into sacred/profane which will vary in each society
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7
Q

Durkheim’s view on religion

A

Worshipping sacred symbols means people are worshipping society as it reinforces the collective conscience (shared norms, beliefs/values) which creates social solidarity as it’s binding people together

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8
Q

Functionalist’s view on religion

A

Religion performs positive functions and is a conservative force (doesn’t cause a change in society) which continues social order

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9
Q

Totemism, Durkheim’s study

A

The aboriginal clan would worship sacred symbols of totems e.g plants/animals = during these religious worships they were worshipping their society.

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10
Q

Malinowski (Functionalist)

A

Religion is important for emotional support to ensure that social solidarity and order are maintained

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11
Q

Parsons

A

Religion gives meaning to meaningless things as it provides answers e.g God’s will is a test of faith where suffering will be rewarded in heaven which helps social order and prevents anomie

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12
Q

Bellah - civil religion

A

National/state events that serve the same functions as religions are reinforcing the collective conscience/social solidarity e.g Princess Diana, Manchester Arena attack

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13
Q

Criticism of Functionalists

A
  • Ignore the dysfunctions of religion as in some cases it doesn’t promote social solidarity e.g Northern Ireland
  • In the UK there is a rise of secularisation therefore it’s unlikely religion performs these functions
  • Other functionalists disagree with Durkheim that religion is the worship of society
  • Marxists believe religion is the ideology of the RC to keep society functioning + make the WC not question their position
  • Feminists believe religion is created to exploit women and keep society patriarchal
  • Civil religion doesn’t prove it has a long-term effect on society
  • The study of totemism is outdated in modern industrial society e.g UK as people do not all share the same beliefs/values
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14
Q

How does religion create ‘social solidarity’ and performs capitalism to Marxists?

A

Religion binds people together to make them feel part of the capitalist society rather than alone which is seen as a negative because it stops the WC from wanting to change society

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15
Q

How does religion create ‘false class consciousness’ and perform capitalism to Marxists?

A

Religion teaches RC ideology which makes sure we share the same beliefs ensuring capitalism continues this is seen as a negative as it prevents the WC from a revolution by brainwashing people into believing the system is fair as religion produces/legitimates class inequality by making people believe their position in society is ‘God given’ and ensure the cycle of children accept their position

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16
Q

How does religion create meaning to meaningless things and perform capitalism to Marxists?

A

The meaningless thing is why the poor are poor and why the rich are rich which religion teaches e.g Christianity explains their position in life was given to them by God meaning it shouldn’t be questioned/challanged

17
Q

How does religion create social control and perform capitalism to Marxists?

A

Religion is a conservative force (stops change from happening in society) that controls the WC’s behaviour by keeping them obedient/docile workers for the benefit of the RC e.g Christianity promises the WC to be rewarded if they work hard whereas the rich won’t be allowed to enter heaven

18
Q

How does religion maintain social order and perform capitalism to Marxists?

A

Functions of religion is to serve to keep the capitalist system running smoothly

19
Q

What do Marxists mean by ‘The opium of the people’?

A

Religion works like a drug that dulls the pain of oppression making the WC feel better about their position

20
Q

Examples religion dulls the pain of the WC according to Marxists

A
  • Promises Heaven to those who believe in a religion that makes the WC less miserable as it gives them something to look forward to
  • Some religions say that suffering is a good thing as those who suffer will be rewarded making suffering easier to cope with
  • Tells WC that their suffering is out of their control as God created them to be WC making their misery more bearable
21
Q

Religion helps to prevent what according to Marxists?

A

Helps to prevent revolution by preventing the WC from achieving class consciousness (realising they’re being exploited) meaning religion would no longer be necessary for a communist society as there wouldn’t be class divisions/oppression and exploitation

22
Q

Examples that support Marxists’ view of religion

A
  • Caste system in India was based on Hinduism and was used to maintain discrimination between castes
  • Medieval Europe had monarchs ruled by Divine Rights which were supposedly chosen by God meaning religion gave them the power to rule
  • Slavery in USA which is defended on religious grounds as being designed by God
  • The New Christian Right Fundamentalist religions support the right-wing politicians in America who support the RC in society
23
Q

Criticisms for Marxists

A
  • Postmodernism - ‘Pick n mix identity’
  • Feminists - Ignores patriarchal ideology
  • Neo-Marxism - Religion can lead to revolution e.g Liberation Theology in Latin America priests argued that it was their duty to fight oppression and improve the position of the poor
  • Religion wasn’t a tool of control by the RC and the power comes from wealth and social contacts
  • Secularisation is happening in the UK meaning it is hard to claim that it has a powerful effect of maintaining the class system/capitalism
24
Q

How does religion create social control and perform capitalism to Marxists?

A

Religion is a conservative force (stops change from happening in society) that controls the WC’s behaviour by keeping them obedient/docile workers for the benefit of the RC e.g Christianity promises the WC to be rewarded if they work hard whereas the rich won’t be allowed to enter heaven

25
Q

How does religion create ‘social solidarity’ and performs patriarchy to Feminists?

A

Religion binds people together to make them feel part of the patriarchal society and less alone which is a negative as it stops women from change and equality

26
Q

How does religion create ‘value consensus’ and performs patriarchy to Feminists?

A

Teaches patriarchal ideology to ensure we all agree and share the same beliefs which make patriarchy continue which is seen as a negative as it stops women from achieving independence by brainwashing people into believing the system is fair

27
Q

How does religion create meaning to meaningless things and perform patriarchy to Feminists?

A

The meaningless thing is religion explains why men are more powerful than women e.g Christianity explains women’s life was given to them by God meaning if something is given by God then it shouldn’t be questioned or challenged

28
Q

How does religion create social control and perform patriarchy on Feminists?

A

Religion controls female behavior such as Catholicism has strict rules against contraception and abortion

29
Q

How does religion maintain social order and perform patriarchy on Feminists?

A

Religion is a conservative force which means it doesn’t cause a change in society and keeps a patriarchal society running smoothly

30
Q

Examples that the ideology that religion is based upon patriarchy

A
  • Most religious movements are male-centered e.g male pronouns ‘he’ refers to God
    EVAL - Gender-neutral language is now used in prayers and hymns
  • Holy scriptures promote patriarchy e.g “All wickedness is but the wickedness of a woman”
    EVAL - Christian wedding ceremonies use the word ‘obey’ in their vows
  • Many religious movements do not allow female leaders e.g Judaism, Catholicism, Islam
    EVAL - Liberal Judaism now accepts women leaders
  • Orthodox (Traditional) religions see men as superior and linked to God e.g Traditional Hindus believe in ‘Pati Parmeshwar’ which says “My husband is a God” meaning going against your husband would be similar to going against God
    EVAL - Hindus worship many female goddesses and believe God is a deity that came to Earth in the form of a woman
  • Women’s bodies are seen as dangerous and distracting to men leading women to have a dress code and men to worship separately in some cases
    EVAL - Modest dress as liberating from the male gaze
31
Q

Examples that support Feminist views on religion

A
  • Witchcraft - Women seen as deviant or going against religion were seen as witches to control women
  • The Christian Right - Wanting women to return to the role of housewives and keep abortions banned keeping them dependant on men

Sociology (4 decks)

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