Theories of Religion Flashcards
1
Q
Parsons (F)
A
- Legitimises society’s basic norms + values (sacred) + promotes value consensus / social stability.
- Answers ultimate questions about life.
2
Q
Durkheim (F)
A
- Maintaining value consensus, order + solidarity.
- Distinguished between sacred - product of higher power + profane - ordinary.
- Rituals help to maintain a collective conscience, e.g. Australian Aboriginal tribe.
3
Q
Malinowski (F)
A
- Religion promotes psychological functions, helping to cope with emotional stress.
- Religion performs this role in uncontrollable situations + at times of life crisis.
4
Q
Bellah (F)
A
- Religion unites society.
- Civil Religion - faith in the American way of life.
5
Q
Marx (M)
A
- Opium of the Masses - dulls the pain of class exploitation.
- Religion fosters a false consciousness.
6
Q
Althusser (M)
A
- Ideological State Apparatus - religion perpetuates + reproduces dominant ideologies.
- Religion influences values + behaviours, ensuring their compliance, e.g. behave well do go to heaven.
7
Q
Weber (M)
A
- Protestant ethic contributed to the birth of capitalism.
- Developed through their values + views, e.g. asceticism (self-discipline) + work ethic.
- Kautsky: argued capitalism preceded Calvinism.
8
Q
Maduro (M)
A
- Religion can be a revolutionary force that brings about social change.
- Liberation Theology helped to bring democracy, but didn’t threaten capitalism.
9
Q
Bloch (N-M)
A
- Religion is a dual character: it inhibits change but can inspire protest.
- Religion is an expression of hope.
10
Q
Gramsci (N-M)
A
- Hegemony - r/c maintain control through popular consent, so less need for coercion.
- Dual character - religion can support the w/c see through exploitation + support their situations, e.g. trade unions.
11
Q
Woodhead (F)
A
- Traditional religion is patriarchal, but there are ‘religious forms of feminism’.
- E.g. hijab as a symbol of liberation + respect without losing their culture + history.
12
Q
De Beauvoir (F)
A
- Religion is used by men to oppress women.
- E.g. men use God to justify their control.
13
Q
El Saadawi (F)
A
- Religious Patriarchy is the result of patriarchal forms re-shaping religion.
- Religion is not oppressive, but culture.
14
Q
Daly (F)
A
- Christianity is a set of particular myths.
- Catholic church eliminated religions with female gods.
- Subordination to men (God’s Will).
15
Q
Armstrong (F)
A
- Women’s exclusion from priesthood reflects women’s marginalisation.
- Stained Glass Ceiling - prevented from entering higher positions within the church.
