Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Beliefs In Society - Millie > Theories of religion > Flashcards

Theories of religion Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

what are the three main ways sociologists define religion?

A

substantive, functional, constructionist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are substantive definitions?

A
  • focus on content/substance of religious belief: e.g. belief in God, beliefs are connected to holy text, places and objects revered as ‘holy’
  • exclusive in nature - belief systems can only be classed are religions if they have these particular features.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

how does WEBER define religion in a substantive way?

A

religion - belief in a supernatural power that cannot be explained scientifically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are the problems with defining religion substantively?

A
  • exclusivity leaves no room for beliefs/practices that perform similar functions to religion but don’t involve a belief in God.
  • accused of Western bias - they exclude religions such as Buddhism which don’t have Western idea of God.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are functional definitions?

A

analyse what social/psychological functions a religion performs for individuals and society. e.g it may bring comfort to its believers.
inclusive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are the benefits and criticisms of functional definitions?

A

BENEFITS:
inclusive - allows us to include a wide range of beliefs and practices
don’t specify a belief in god/supernatural so no Western bias
CRITICISMS:
inclusivity means any belief system can be classed as a religion if it performs certain functions. e.g. collective chanting at football.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

how does DURKHEIM define religion?

A

in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration, rather than any specific belief in the supernatural.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What approach do social constructionists take?

A

Interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are social constructionists interested in?

A

How definitions of religion are constructed, challenged and fought over.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How does ALDRIDGE show how definitions of religion can be contested and are influenced by who has power to define the situation?

A

For it’s followers Scientology is a religion but several governments have denied it legal status as a religion and sought to ban it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the positives and criticisms of constructionist definitions?

A

POSITIVES:
Don’t assume religion always involves a belief in God or that it performs similar function for everyone
Allows them to get close to the meanings people themselves give to religion

CRITICISMS:
makes it impossible to generalise about the nature of religion since people have widely differing views about what counts as religion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what approach do social constructionists take and what do they focus on?

A

Interpretivist approach - how members of society define religion, arguing it isn’t possible to produce a universal definition of religion to cover all cases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

how does ALDRIDGE show how definitions of religion are constructed, challenged and fought over?

A

for its followers scientology is a religion but several govs have denied it legal status as such.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

according to functionalists what do religious institutions do?

A

create and maintain value consensus, order and solidarity. It is a conservative force - tends to maintain society as it is> encourage social change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does DURKHEIM claim the main purpose of religion is?

A

to differentiate between the sacred and profane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is the difference between the sacred and profane?

A

sacred - things that inspire awe, fear and wonder. product of higher power.
profane - no special significance - mundane.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what do the sacred things represent according to DURKHEIM?

A

Society - since it is the only thing powerful enough to command such feelings.
When people worship sacred things they are worshipping society itself.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what are many religions based upon according to DURKHEIM?

A

Totemism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

who did Durkheim study?

A

the Arunta - Australian Aborigines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what did the tribe studied by Durkheim do?

A

came together periodically to worship the sacred totem which symbolised their identity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what did the sacred symbols represent according to Durkheim?

A

society’s collective conscience - the shared norms, values and beliefs that make social life and cooperation possible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what did the worship of the totem do?

A

Reinforce collective conscience and maintain social integration.
Individuals are reminded that they are part of a single community to which they owe their loyalty.
Religion reinvigorates and strengthens us to face life’s trials and motivate us to overcome obstacles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what does DURKHEIM mean by claiming religion is the source of our cognitive capacity?

A

religion provides followers with the intellectual capacity to understand the world by helping congregations understand concepts such as space, time and causation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

why does WORSLEY criticise DURKHEIM?

A

no sharp division between sacred and the profane
diff clans share sane totems
his theory only applies to small-scale societies with single religions
his theory explains social integration within communities but not conflicts between them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

why does postmodernist MESTROVIC criticise DURKEIM?

A

his ideas cannot be applied to contemporary society - diversity has fragmented the collective conscience - no shared value system for religion to reinforce.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

In MALINOWSKI’s view, how does religion promote social solidarity?

A

by performing psychological functions for individuals - helping them to cope with emotional stress that would otherwise undermine social solidarity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what two situations does MALINOWSKI identify where religion performs psychological functions?

A

1 - where the outcome is important but uncontrollable

2 - at times of life crises

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

what did MALINOWSKI’s study of the Trobriand islanders reveal about the functions of religion?

A

ocean fishing = dangerous and uncertain and was accompanied by ‘canoe magic’. This gave people a sense of control, which eased tension.
Religious rituals were able to reinforce social solidarity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what function does religion perform during times of life crises?

A

events such as puberty, marriage, death are surrounded by ‘rites of passage’ to help believers deal with stress, anxiety and grief - enabling them to return to normality ASAP.
religion is a vital source of stability by minimising levels of disruption.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

other than helping people cope with unforseen events, what does PARSONS see religion as performing?

A

creates and legitimates society’s central values

primary source of meaning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

how does religion create/legitimate society’s central values?

A

through sacred texts, religion elevates the values of a society into sacred moral codes. e.g. 10 commandments of Christianity underpin UK law and culture. By entrenching same values into national religion, the sanctions for breaking those values become more effective as a form of social control

32
Q

how is religion’s answering ‘ultimate questions’ about human condition such as why the young die, important?

A

these events defy our sense of justice and make life seem meaningless which could undermine commitment to society’s values.
the answers e.g. test of faith, enable people to adjust and maintains stability.

33
Q

what is BELLAH interested in?

A

how religion unifies a society - especially a multi-faith society life US.

34
Q

what does unite a diverse society such as USA according to BELLAH?

A

civil religion

35
Q

what is civil religion?

A

a belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself.

36
Q

what does civil religion do that normal religion cannot?

A

claim the loyalty of all Americans by sacrilising the American way of life

37
Q

what does civil religion involve? (americanism)

A

loyalty to nation-state and belief in God.

expressed in rituals such pledging allegiance to the flag, singing anthem.

38
Q

what are functional alternatives to religion?

A

non-religious beliefs/practices that perform similar functions to those of organised religion. e.g. social cohesion
e.g. Nazi Germany had secular beliefs and rituals around which they sought to unite society

39
Q

what is the problem with the idea of functional alternatives?

A

ignores what makes a religion distinctive - its belief in the supernatural

40
Q

why is the functionalist view of religion criticised?

A
  • ignores negative aspects e.g. source of oppression of women
  • ignores religion as a source of conflict/division e.g. NI with religious pluralism
  • HAMILTON - religion has dysfunctions such as encouraging irrational thought which prevents positive change
  • civil religion argues societies still have a shared, over-arching belief system but this may not be classed as religion
41
Q

what does religion operate as according to MARX?

A

an ideological weapon used by ruling class to legitimate the suffering of the poor as inevitable.

42
Q

what is false consciousness?

A

distorted view of reality.

the proletariat are never fully aware of their exploitation by the capitalist system

43
Q

how does religion mislead the poor?

A

makes them believe their suffering is virtuous and that they’ll be favoured in the afterlife. ‘it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter heaven.

44
Q

how does religion legitimate the power of the dominant class?

A

making their position seem divinely ordained. e.g. 16th century Divine Right of Kings

45
Q

religion is part of the ……………….. according to MARX?

A

superstructure of capitalism

46
Q

What does MARX see religion as the product of?

A

alienation

47
Q

what does alienation involve?

A

becoming separated from what one has produced.
In capitalism workers have no control over the production process especially in the division of labour resulting from industrialisation where minute tasks are repeated endlessly.

48
Q

how is alienation related to religion?

A

workers turn to religion as a form of consolation - ‘the opium of the masses’ - dulling the pain of oppression through promises of the afterlife.

49
Q

why does ENGLES claim socialism and Christianity have similar features?

A

both ideologies target the poor and promise a better life BUT socialism promises better future in this life.

50
Q

how does the caste system if Hinduism illustrate how religions justify inequalities?

A

system of social stratification based on ascribed status.
Doctrine of karma teaches that if you behave by accepting and observing rules of caste, after death you will be reincarnated into higher caste.
Hindus in lower castes are encouraged not to question exploitation in the hope of social mobility later.

51
Q

why does LEACH support marxist theory of religion?

A

strong connection between the powerful and national religion that is imposed.
e.g Queen is head of Church of England.
13% of bishops in Church attended state comprehensives illustrating how it is dominated by wealthy elite

52
Q

why do NORRIS AND INGLEHART support marxists?

A

the poor are most attracted to religion - existential security theory: the most vulnerable are more likely to be religious as they are less secure in predicting their future existence but religion is a source of comfort they have in providing security within this life/next.

53
Q

what does HALEVY refer to to support marxist theory of religion?

A

religions have a history of preventing revolutions.
Methodist church appeased the workers’ disconnection with the corrupt Anglican church by having simple chapels and relaxed sermons.
Instead of revolting, the workers used this as a way to vent their frustration.

54
Q

why can the Marxist theory of religion be criticised?

A
  • fails to ignore the positive functions of religion e..g psychological adjustment
  • MARX’s analysis mainly focuses on conservative nature of religion - doesn’t consider examples where religion has influenced positive change for the most vulnerable.
  • MARX predicted religion would cease to exist under communism but this has not occurred.
55
Q

how do neo-marxists differ from marxists?

A

recognise that religion can bring about social change

56
Q

what does religion have according to BLOCH?’

A

dual character - positive and negative effects on social change.
it acted as a conservative force but could be seen as ‘principle of hope’ that inspires proletariat to revolt

57
Q

what is GRAMSCI’s view on religion?

A 
it does maintain cultural hegemony (dominant set of beliefs)
BUT religious leaders could take the role of organic intellectuals, building a counter-hegemony, popularising ideas that ran counter to those of the ruling class and helping to build rebellion and protest.
58
Q

what are the two examples of religious leaders acting like Gramsci’s organic intellectuals and using ideas in religion to campaign for significant change?

A

The role of Martin Luther King in the US Civil Rights movement
Liberation theology in Latin America.

59
Q

what did MADURO believe churches/ religion provided in countries where protests were banned?

A

the only safe outlet of frustration for the proletariat

60
Q

what is the liberation theology movement?

A

Catholic church in some Latin American countries performed political role in protecting people from fascist oppression and organising the fightback.
Rather than being a conservative force, the Catholic Church locally performed a revolutionary role

61
Q

How did the Archbishop of El Salvador show how religion can incite social change?

A

Romero used his platform to speak out against the government, denouncing state killings and widespread torture. He also set up various schemes to assist the victims and their families.
This is a very clear example of religious figures and religious organisations causing social change

62
Q

how does the emergence of the pentecostal church undermine neo-marxist view of religion?

A

neo-Marxists claim religion influences change through instability but the Pentecostal church = dominant force in South US to instil stability.
LEHMANN - it encourages followers to focus on taking charge of their own futures by working hard > encouraging action against oppressive govs.
This could be seen as benefitting capitalism

63
Q

what type of force do feminists see religion as?

A

conservative - maintaining patriarchy

64
Q

where is there evidence of patriarchy in religious organisations?

A

mainly male-dominated
Orthodox catholicism and Judaism forbid women from becoming priests
ARMSTRONG - ‘stained glass ceiling’

65
Q

what does the reaction to the vote to allow female bishops show?

A

patriarchal nature of religion

some traditionalists within religion have been very vocal in opposition

66
Q

where is there evidence of patriarchy in places of worship?

A

sexes are often segregated and women = marginalised.
e.g behind screens while men occupy sacred areas.
Women’s participation may be restricted - not allowed to preach/read from sacred texts

67
Q

what does HOLM describe the prevention of women touching the Qur’an during menustration as?

A

the devaluation of women in religion

68
Q

where is there evidence of patriarchy in sacred texts?

A

largely feature doings of male Gods etc.
written and interpreted by men
stories reflect anti-female stereotypes, such as Eve who caused humanity’s fall from grace.

69
Q

where is there evidence of patriarchy in religious laws and customs?

A

may give women fewer rights. e.g. access to divorce, dress codes
religious influences on cultural norms = inequality e.g. FGM
Many religions legitimate the traditional domestic role - Catholic church banning abortion/contraception

70
Q

What does DALY think about the emergence of monotheistic religions?

A

it has allowed men to control the idea that God is a man and the only supernatural being.
Christian faith has sought to eliminate polytheistic religions which once included powerful female gods.

71
Q

What does SAADAWI claim about islam?

A

it isn’t patriarchal in nature.
men interpreted religious texts in ways that favoured patriarchy
e.g. Qur’an states men and women should recieve same punishment for adultery but this was circumvented by Arab culture, which allows men to have more than one wife.

72
Q

why does WOODHEAD criticise feminist explanations that equate religion with patriarchy and oppression?

A

she argues there are ‘religious forms of feminism’

73
Q

what example does WOODHEAD use to explain ‘religious forms of feminism’?

A

the hijab. Seen as a means of liberation for the wearer.

74
Q

How does BRUSCO show religion can be used to gain status and respect for women?

A

In Colombia, belonging to Pentecostal group = empowering.
a strongly held belief is that men should respect women, which gives them power to influence their behaviour by insisting they practise what they preach.

75
Q

how do liberal Protestant organisations show religion doesn’t always oppress women?

A

Quakers and Unitarians are committed to gender equality.

1/3 of Unitarian ministers = female

Beliefs In Society - Millie (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions