theories of religion Flashcards
how do feminists view religion
- patriarchal
- reflects and perpetuates patriarchy
- tool that men use to justify the oppression of women
how does religion perpetuate patriarchy
- the subordinate roles of women
- marginalisation of women
- religious laws
how is christianity patriarchal
- god is male, only men can become priests, bible is only written by men
how is islam patriarchal
- mohammed was male
- men make all legal judgements
- menstruating women cant touch the quran
how is hinduism patriarchal
- only mean become brahmin priests
- women cant approach family shrines when pregnant or menstruating
limitations of feminist view of religion
- not all religions are patriarchal and oppressive (quakers are equal)
- some Muslim women claim that wearing the hijab is liberating
- ethnocentric
- ignore positive roles women play in religion (greek mythology)
why might feminists see religion as a conservative force
- maintains the status quo ( patriarchal power)
- prevents women from rebelling
what does functionalism believe about religion
- mainly a conservative force, promoting social harmony through reinforcing the value consensus
- religion fills functional prerequisites (e.g common values)
what does bruce think about religion
- cultural defense – religion acts as a focal point for the defence of community identity
- cultural transition – groups (ME) move to a different country or culture with religion providing identity and support
what are the functionalist functions of religion
- socialisation – value consensus, moral codes
- social integration and solidarity
- preventing anomie
- dealing with life changing events
how does religion maintain social integration and solidarity
- collective worship integrates society by letting members express shared values
- strengthens group unity and social solidarity
- restrains deviant behaviour
- develops the collective conscience
how does religion prevent anomie
- there is no state of confusion where there is no normal
what does durkheim believe about religion
- religious institutions play a central part in creating and maintaining the value consensus
- religioun binds people together like social glue
- all societies distinguish between sacred and profane objects
what are sacred and profane objects
- sacred – objects, rituals and people which are regarded as being special
- profane – objects, activities and people that are ordinary
what does malinowski believe
- religion fulfils a need for emotional security and relieves situations of emotional stress which threaten social stability and solidarity
what does parsons believe about religion
- mechanism of adjustment
- provides a means of emotional adjustment in the face of various crises that occur in life and provides a way of returning to some sense of normality
how did marxists view religion
- a part of the dominant ideology
- reinforces the false class consciousness
how did althusser view religion
- ISA
what are the two marxist functions of religion
- acted as the opium of the people
- legitimised ans maintained power of the ruling class
examples of religion preferring poor people
- ‘it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of god’
- ‘blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth’
what are the three ways religion is ideological
- legitimises social inequality
- disguises the true nature of exploitation
- keeps the working class passive
why do marxists see religion as a conservative force
- maintains the status quo
- prevents working class from rebelling
