Theories of religion

Question 1

What is the substantiative definition of religion? (2)

Answer 1

They focus on the content or substance of the religious belief, like belief in God or the supernatural.
They are exclusive meaning they draw clear lines between religious and non-religious beliefs.

Question 2

What is the functional definition of religion? (2)

Answer 2

Define it in terms as the social or psychological functions it performs for society.
They are inclusive allowing us to include a wide range of beliefs and practices that perform functions like integration.

Question 3

What is the constructionist definition of religion?

Answer 3

It focuses on how members of society themselves define religion.
They do not assume that religion always involved a belief in God or the supernatural.

Question 4

What does religion contribute for Functionalists?

Answer 4

It contributes to value consensus and reinforces social integration.

Question 5

What did Durkheim argue about religion? (2)

Answer 5

He found out the elementary forms of religious life which linked to the sacred and profane.
This is where the sacred had special significance creating feelings of respect and the profane were ordinary everyday things.

Question 6

What was the first form of religion that was discovered?

Answer 6

Totemism

Question 7

What is totemism and what does it do? (3)

Answer 7

This is associated the Arunta which is an Australian Aborginal tribe. Each clan had their own totem.
This makes totems sacred which reinforces collective conscience which binds society together.
They also came together to perform rituals where they gained collective effervescence which is a heightened feeling of energy.

Question 8

What did Malinowski argue?

Answer 8

Religion performs psychological functions helping people cope with two types of events: uncertainty and life crises.

Question 9

How does psychological functions help with uncertainty?

Answer 9

Fishing is an important survival activity for the islanders. People performed canoe magic before fishing in the open sea.
Lagoon fishing was dangerous so doing this ritual allowed them to feel more safe.

Question 10

How does psychological functions help with life crises?

Answer 10

Certain events like birth and death can cause stress and anxiety. In all societies these life crises are surrounded by religious rituals because they reinforce a feeling of control and minimises disruptions.

Question 11

What is a strength of Durkheim’s ideas?

Answer 11

Religion today keeps society in social order and social solidarity. This means that people share the same set of norms and values.

Question 12

What are criticisms of Durkheim’s ideas? (3)

Answer 12

It is not representative because it’s only based on one religion meaning that other communities cannot be involved.
Bellah - civil religion. A belief system attaches sacred qualities to society itself. E.G: Americans perform rituals like the pledge of allegianceand national anthem.
There is now increasing diversity which means thats the collective conscience has become fragmented so there is more than one set of norms and values.

Question 13

What two concepts does Parsons argue about religion?

Answer 13

Value consensus
Mechanism of adjustment

Question 14

What does value consensus mean?

Answer 14

There are different beliefs and laws people have to follow which creates a value consensus because they are all following the same laws.

Question 15

What is mechanism of adjustment?

Answer 15

They answer existential questiond of life or death and it helps to adjust to difficult events therefore maintaining their commitment to values.

Question 16

What two quotes do Marxists use to describe religion?

Answer 16

‘Religion is the opium of the people’
‘Religion is a kind of spiritual gin’

Question 17

How does Marxism describe society?

Answer 17

It acts as a system where the infrastructure (economy) influences the superstructure (social institutions)
The superstructure transmits bourgeoisie ideology and promotes false class consciousness.

Question 18

What is evidence to support the Marxist view?

Answer 18

For the Hindus there is a natural rank order of humans which is called the Caste System.
They believe in reincarnation and people’s behaviour in previous lives will determine their caste. This maintains the status quo.
There are different ranks like the Dalits where they are considered as unclean.
You are not allowed to change their caste.

Question 19

What does ‘It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven’ mean?

Answer 19

It encourages poor people to believe that if they go through all of this struggle now they have a better chance of getting into heaven.

Question 20

How is there evidence of patriarchy in religious organisations? (3)

Answer 20

Male dominated
Stain glass ceiling
Women can’t lead a prayer.

Question 21

How is there evidence of patriarchy in sacred texts? (3)

Answer 21

Rabbi’s prayer
Double standards in Judaism
Women should remain silent in the place of God.

Question 22

How is there evidence of patriarchy in places of worship? (2)

Answer 22

Segregation of men and women
Men have better access and opportunities.

Question 23

How is there evidence of patriarchy in religious laws and customs? (3)

Answer 23

A man can marry up to 4 times but a woman can only marry 1.
Women must dress modestly.
Taliban - used religion as a way to keep patriarchy.

Question 24

What does Simone de Beauvoir argue? (3)

Answer 24

Women are seen as the second sex and she argued that the oppressors (men) use religion to control the oppressed group (women)
She argued that religion is an instrument of dection because it encourages women to accept their secondary status by promising them equality in heaven (false gender consciousness)
Religion maintains the status quo which keeps patriarchy going and keeps women and the bottom.

Question 25

What evidence is there of patriarchy accord to de Beauvoir? (3)

Answer 25

The veil.
Controls women’s bodies.
Hidden and only for men to see.
Women’s bodies are seen as a distraction.

Question 26

How can veiling be seen as positive? (2)

Answer 26

People can choose instead of being forced, allowing them to celebrate their religion.
Protectiona way from the male gaze.

Question 27

What did Mary Daly argue about religion? (2)

Answer 27

Women experience a sexual caste system which maintains patriarchal religious ideology.
Women have a mission to listen which prevents women from exerting their own opinions.

Question 28

What does Daly argue women are and what are the examples? (3)

Answer 28

They are token tortures.
E.G: FGM, Honour killings, witchcraft trials.

Question 29

What’s Daly’s solution to symbolic violence?

Answer 29

Women should join together in sisterhood and encourage the liberation of women first.

Question 30

What sociologists argue that religion is always patriarchal?

Answer 30

Simone de Beauvioir
Mary Daly

Question 31

What sociologists argue that religion is not always patriarchal?

Answer 31

Armstrong
Saadawi

Question 32

What does Armstrong argue about religion?

Answer 32

There are female godesses that are worshipped like Aphrodite which challenged patriarchy because she was in power.

Question 33

What does Saadawi argue? (2)

Answer 33

Cultures have made religion patriarchal.
E.G: The Quran ordered that both men and women were stoned to death for adultery but this was unlikely to fall on men in Arab societies (double standards)

Question 34

How has religion improved women’s status and respect? (2)

Answer 34

Stained glass ceiling has been challenged. Women can now be priests or bishops.
Quakers are committed to gender equality and women playing leading roles.

Question 35

What did Rinaldo argue? (2)

Answer 35

There were piety movements like the pentecostal gender paradox.
This is where women could take advantage and control because they have the power to influence men by insisting that they stay monogamous and faithful.

Question 36

What did Watson and Woodhead argue? (2)

Answer 36

The veil can empower people and liberate women.
Judge me for who I am, now what I wear.