Social Action TOR

Question 1

Weber

Answer 1

Religion adds meaning to the suffering people face in this life. E.g test from god and offers eventual reward.

Religion = theodicy of the disprivileged

Question 2

Berger

Answer 2

Religion = sacred canopy

Way of understanding the complexities of the cosmos and social world

Helps navigate social interactions

Question 3

Stark and Bainbridge

Answer 3

Rational choice theory

Religion offers supernatural I.O.U for the suffering, reward is given in the next life

Question 4

Evaluation

Answer 4

Religion does similar things according to all theories, except social action. These theories focus on how it helps individuals rather than impact on a social level

Lots of people are religious and not marginalised, social action theories don’t explain their religious belief