Substantive/exclusive

Question 1

Explanation

Answer 1

his explains religion in terms of what it is; its substance, content or key features. E.g. places of worship, a holy book

For Weber, religion is defined in terms of belief in a God or the supernatural; a belief in a power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically. Belief in the supernatural is at the core of Christian and Islamic beliefs.

Question 2

Advantages

Answer 2

Make it easier to measure the extent of religious activity and belief in society by creating precise boundaries of study.

It reflects the common-sense view of religion ie what most people consider religion to be about.

Question 3

Disadvantages

Answer 3

Substantive definitions are sometimes said to be too exclusive and prevent some new forms of religious organisations NRMs (New Religious Movements) from being classified as a religion.

Substantive definitions have a Christian bias; they exclude religions such as Buddhism which do not have a God.

This definition is ideological as it is used by those who set out to show that religion is declining in society. It makes it easier to argue that secularisation is taking place.