Theories and Approaches to Religion

Question 1

how does Durkheim define religion? and what does he say about religion and what it achieves and does for society

Answer 1

‘a unified set of belief and practices relative to sacred things’ the sacred being ‘things set apart and forbidden’
religion maintains social order by integrating people into society by a value consensus. it gives a collective conscience which is the shared beliefs and values which form moral ties binding communities together
it is the origin of human thought, reason and science
he studied totemism in the Arunta tribe where the totem represented society and the power of the group who were ‘utterly dependent’ - the shared rituals reinforce the collective conscience

Question 2

who argues that religion provides basic categories such as time, space and causation and give an example

Answer 2

Mauss

the creator bringing the world into being at the beginning of time

Question 3

what does Durkheim suggest will happen to religion

Answer 3

the supernatural elements will disappear and civil religion will over take - where the sacred qualities are attached to society instead and rituals aren’t always linking to the supernatural

Question 4

what does Bellah argue about civil religion?

Answer 4

that american civil religion involves loyalty to the state and believe it God but she notes that civil religion doesn’t have to include God

Question 5

who defines religion as belief in the supernatural?

Answer 5

Weber

Question 6

how does Mestrovic criticise Durkheim?

Answer 6

argues his ideas cannot be applied to contemporary society since increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscience and there is no longer a shared value system for religion to reinforce

Question 7

Malinowski argues that religion performs psychological functions when an outcome of a situation is uncontrollable give the example he gives and explain what else he thinks about religion and the main reason religion exists

Answer 7

he used the example of the Trobiland island where lagoon fishing is safe so no ritual is performed but ocean fishing is dangerous and uncertain so rituals are carried out to ensure a safe and successful expedition.
At times of life crisis religion minimises disruption - rituals reinforce social solidarity
he argues death is the main reason religion exists which is supported by the face that church attendance soars during war time

Question 8

explain Parsons’ theory about religion

Answer 8

it underpins the core values in any culture, the norms that regulate behaviour and helps people to cope with any unforeseen, uncontrollable outcomes.
it helps to make sense of life crisis’s which might threaten social order by providing a mechanism of adjustment - providing a means of emotional adjustment in times of life crisis

Question 9

religion can only fullfil functions if people hold beliefs and practice religion but how many people go to church?

Answer 9

only 6% of the UK population go to church on an average sunday

Question 10

Functionalist approach downplays the role religion can play in social change. Give Maduro’s example of religion helping social change

Answer 10

maduro showed how catholic priests in south america in the 60’s and 70’s played major roles in fighting against military dictatorship

Question 11

different religions can tear communities apart and threaten social order give an example

Answer 11

islamic fundamentalism posing a threat in the west and within religions protestants and catholics in ireland

Question 12

Who suggests that religious identity is an important aspect for different civilisations and there can be a clash of civilisations?

Answer 12

Huntington

Question 13

Explain Marx’s view of religion

Answer 13

it reproduces and reinforces false class consciousness which is the lack of understanding among the working class that they are being exploited
religion acts as the ‘opium of the people’ being a pain relief dulling the pain of oppression and creating illusions so they can accept their position.
it helps to overcome alienation - the lack of control, power and satisfaction experienced by workers in capitalist society

Question 14

for marx how does religion provide purpose and meaning? 3 ways

Answer 14

• promises an escape from suffering in life after death - if people believe their circumstances are God’s will they are more likely to accept them. e.g. the bible states that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven
• hope of supernatural intervention - jehovah’s witnesses believe God will intervene to destroy the wicked
• religious justification for inequality - e.g. in hindu caste system if rules aren’t obeyed you are reborn in a lower caste

Question 15

how does religion legitimize power and privileges

Answer 15

through the 16th century idea of the divine right of kings as god’s representative on earth

Question 16

………. says that religion acts as an ideological state apparatus and spreads was ……… calls ………. - consent and acceptance of the dominant ideology by people and their acceptance that their position is inevitable and unchangeable

Answer 16

Althusser
Gramsci
Hegemony

Question 17

Neo marxists maintain that religion can have relative autonomy from the state, what is this?

Answer 17

the idea that social institutions can have some independence from the interests of the dominant social class

Question 18

Gramsci saw religion could sometimes have a counter hegemony, what is this? Give an example

Answer 18

a set of ideas challenging the power of the ruling class and showing alternative ways of organising societies
e.g. Maduro who showed in South america in the 60s and 70s catholic priests helped fight military dictatorship

Question 19

who argued that in pre-capitalist society, while christianity was a major element of ruling class ideology, it had little impact on the peasantry

Answer 19

Abercrombie and Turner

Question 20

Who says that religion maintains male domination as religious ideas seek to control women’s sexuality and emphasises their traditional roles

Answer 20

Beauvoir

Question 21

Berger says religion provides a universe of meaning what is this and explain his theory

Answer 21

A universe of meaning - a set of beliefs and values which enables people to give life some focus, order and meaning. this provides a theodicy which is an explanation for the contradiction in God (evil and suffering)
religion allows people to make sense of the fundamental questions. he sees religion as a sacred canopy - providing a shield that protects people from the meaningless and uncertainty of life. by explaining the darker sides of life it promotes social stability. in post modern societies however the sacred canopy is lost - science has replaced it as provider of the universe of meaning

Question 22

Lyotard says that the world can no longer be under stood…….

Answer 22

through metanarratives

Question 23

who says that post modernity is characterised by the lose of faith in metanarratives and people are less likely to accept religious authorities and there is now a crisis of meaning due to the lack of faith in traditional sources of authority

Answer 23

Bauman

Question 24

who argues religion is now a consumer product? explain this

Answer 24

Baudrillard
people can pick ‘n’ mix beliefs as they shop is the spiritual supermarket to form their identities
we now live in a media saturated society where people have access to a huge range of ideas

Question 25

what would marx argue against Baudrillards idea that people can simply pick and mix religion?

Answer 25

that tastes are influenced by their social class

Question 26

give an example of how women have subordinate roles in religion

Answer 26

all God’s 12 apostles were men

Question 27

who notes that in the Qur’an women are legally inferior to men and how?

Answer 27

Aldridge

they lack rights and must submit to husbands and are portrayed as polluting

Question 28

who says women’s menstruation is regarded as polluting and what don’t hinduism and islam allow them to do when they are?

Answer 28

Holm

don’t allow them into sacred spaces or to touch holy books

Question 29

Who argues that religious fundamentalist movements seek to reverse women’s growing independence

Answer 29

Bowker

Question 30

what does Woodhead see women’s exclusion from priesthood doing?

Answer 30

represents the churches deep unease about womens liberation

Question 31

when was women priesthood allowed in the church of england and what did it take to achieve?

Answer 31

1902

controversial and difficult campaigning

Question 32

how many priests are now female?

Answer 32

1/9

Question 33

what archbishop of canterbury say about the decision that women can’t become bishops?

Answer 33

that it has meant the church has lost credibility

Question 34

in religious laws and customs women tend to have fewer rights, give an example

Answer 34

polygamy in islam is permitted for men not women

Question 35

to Aldridge what is veiling a symbol of?

Answer 35

patriarchy, keeping women invisible and anonymous

Question 36

what does Ahmed say about veiling and who agrees?

Answer 36

it can provide an independent female identity freeing them from the male gaze and harassment
Woodhead notes it can be resistance to oppression

Question 37

what contemporary religions does older suggest gender equality can be found in?

Answer 37

quakers and unitarians