Theories of Religion

Question 1

Definition of religion - substantive

Answer 1

focus on content of belief e.g. belief in God

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

Question 2

Definition of religion - functional

Answer 2

defined in terms of the social/psychological functions it performs
Durkheim - religion in terms of contribution to social integration rather than belief in a particular God

Question 3

Definition of religion - constructionist

Answer 3

interpretivist approach - how individuals define religion

universality is impossible

Question 4

Definitions - evaluation

Answer 4

1. leaves no room for beliefs which function like religion
2. Western bias
3. Inclusive of a wide range of beliefs
4. just because it integrates, doesn’t make it a religion
5. hard to generalise

Question 5

Functionalism - sacred and profane

Answer 5

sacred - inspire awe
profane - ordinary and mundane
religion is never just beliefs - collective rituals
sacred things - symbols of great power
different Gods and symbols but all unite us in morals

Question 6

Functionalism - totemism

Answer 6

totem is symbol of community
religion can be understood by studying rituals
clans are bands of kin who come together to do ritual totem worship

Question 7

Functionalism - collective conscience

Answer 7

sacred symbols represent this
regular shared religious rituals reinforce this
binds together in single moral community (society over individual)
strengthens us to face life’s hardships with motivation

Question 8

Functionalism - cognitive functions

Answer 8

source of our intellectual capacities (to think we need categories e.g. time and space)
Durkheim - religion is a source of concepts we use for reasoning

Question 9

Functionalism - psychological functions

Answer 9

promotes solidarity through providing emotional solidarity (resistance to stress)

1. outcome is important but uncertain
   - Trobriand fishing
   - lagoon is safe and predictable (no ritual)
   - ocean is dangerous and uncertain (ritual used gives control and confidence to take risks)
   - god of the gaps
2. times of life crisis
   - certain points mark major and disruptive changes
   - religion minimises
   - belief in immortality comforts bereaved

Question 10

Durkheim - evaluation

Answer 10

1. evidence on totemism is unsound

2. harder to apply to societies with several religions in conflict

Question 11

Parsons - legitimation of values

Answer 11

makes values sacred

Protestantism sacralised core values of individualism, meritocracy and self - discipline

Question 12

Parsons - source of meaning

Answer 12

answers ultimate questions about human condition
- a lack of answers makes life seem meaningless, undermining commitment to value consensus
religion provides answers, allowing us to adjust and remain stability

Question 13

Bellah - civil religion

Answer 13

attaches sacred qualities to society itself
interested in how religion unifies (especially in multi - faith societies)
integrates society - loyalty to nation state (through pledge of allegiance)

Question 14

Functional alternatives

Answer 14

non - religious beliefs and practices that perform functions like religion e.g. reinforcing social cohesion

Question 15

Parsons - evaluation

Answer 15

1. ignores negative effects e.g. oppression

2. question over whether civil religion is religion

Question 16

Marxism - view of religion

Answer 16

always potential for class conflict
religion is a feature of class division
religion is an ideology
religion is used to legitimate suffering of poor as God - given (virtuous road to the afterlife)
creates false consciousness which prevents poor from changing situation

Question 17

Marxism - Lenin

Answer 17

religion is ‘spiritual gin’ and creates a ‘mystical fog’

religion makes position of power seem divinely ordained e.g. caste system

Question 18

Marxism - alienation

Answer 18

religion is a product of alienation (extreme under capitalism)
in dehumanising conditions, religion is a form of consolation
Marx - ‘the opium of the people’ (dulls pain of exploitation but hides underlying cause)

Question 19

Marxism - evaluation

Answer 19

1. ignores positive functions of religion
2. is not effective as an ideology to control in pre - capitalist society e.g. Christianity was a major part of ruling - class ideology but had limited impact on peasantry

Question 20

Feminism - beliefs about society

Answer 20

society as patriarchal (religion perpetuates inequality)

legitimates female subordination

Question 21

Feminism - evidence of patriarchy

Answer 21

1. religious organisations - male dominated e.g. can’t be priests
2. places of worship - often segregated and may not be allowed to participate
3. sacred texts - feature male Gods and prophets
4. religious laws and customs - women given fewer rights e.g. dress codes
   - may lead to unequal treatment e.g. FGM or ban on contraception
   - Armstrong found that women were not always subordinate (early religions had women at centre)

Question 22

Religious forms of feminism

Answer 22

Woodhead criticises feminist equating religion with patriarchy
Hijab - seen as liberating (able to enter higher education)
- allows them to gain status

Question 23

Liberal protestantism

Answer 23

Quakers have always been committed to gender equality and women playing central roles
CofE - female priests since 1992

Question 24

Feminism - evaluation

Answer 24

El Saadawi - says it isn’t direct cause of oppression (patriarchy is)