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theories of religion Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

who founded the functionalist view

A

Durkheim

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2
Q

who found the Marxist view

A

karl marx

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3
Q

what do sociological perspectives say about religion

A

preserves the status quo (Marxists/ functionalists / feminists) contributes to social stability

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4
Q

how feminists say about religion

A

conservative force as it is an ideology that legitimates patriarchal power and maintains women’s subordination in the family + wider society

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5
Q

what is said about religion and consensus (functionalist)

A

prevents society from disintegrating and promotes social solidarity, also helps us to deal with stress that would otherwise disrupts society

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6
Q

what is said about religion and capitalism (Marxism)

A

Marx sees religion as conservative ideology that prevents social change, by legitimating and disguising inequality. it creates false consciousness in the WC and prevents revolution

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7
Q

what does conservative mean

A

keeping things the same eg religion keeps things the same in society

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8
Q

how can religion be seen as a conservative force

A
  • traditional upholds moral views
  • functions to preserve things the way they are
  • maintains status quo
  • stabilises society
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9
Q

note some religious conservative beliefs

A
  • oppose change such as allowing people to have more sexual freedom
  • upholds values + favour a traditional patriarchal domestic division of labour
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10
Q

what are the three main ways which sociologists define religion

A
  • substantive definitions
  • functional definitions
  • constructionist definitions
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11
Q

what is the substantive definition of religion

A
  • focus on the supernatural and the belief in God
  • exclusive= draw a clear line between religious and non religious beliefs
  • accused of western beliefs ( don’t include Buddhism)
  • leave no room for beliefs + practices that perform similar functions
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12
Q

what is the functional definition of religion

A
  • define religion in terms of social/ psychological functions it performs for society and individuals
  • inclusive= includes a wide range of beliefs + practices
  • Durkheim
  • religion is social integration
  • helps us to answer ultimate questions
  • too wide a definition
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13
Q

what is the constructionist definition

A
  • no definition as there are too many religious beliefs to describe as one type of definition
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14
Q

what do functionalist argue about society

A

interdependent and meritocratic. They compare society with the human body, each institution performs certain functions like the body is dependent on its organs.

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15
Q

what is society’s most basic need

A

social integration. what makes order possible is value consensus

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16
Q

what did Durkheim argue is the key feature of all religions

A

the distinction between sacred and the profane

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17
Q

what does sacred and profane mean

A 
profane= everyday ordinary things, no special significance 
scared= prohibition, spiritual, cross
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18
Q

are functionalist positive or negative about society

A

very positive about society

19
Q

what does consensus mean

A

people sharing set norms and values

20
Q

what are the positives and negatives of the substantive definition of religion

A

+ gives clear boundary of what religion is

- exclusive, western bias

21
Q

what are the positives and negatives of the functional definition of religion

A

+ inclusive

- too wide a definition and hard to categories

22
Q

what are the positives and negatives of the constructionist definition of religion

A

+ look at how religion is construction

- really hard to define religion

23
Q

what does social integration

A

how we come together

24
Q

what did Durkheim say about collective practices

A

when people worship symbols, they are actually worshipping society itself. Worshipping together unities believers into one single moral community with shared beliefs and values

25
Q

what does the totem represent

A

clans emblem. it symbolises the clans origin and identity. Worshipping in the group reinforces clans solidarity by bringing them together

26
Q

what does Anomie mean

A

state of normlessness. if you do not have norms, ways in which society should be, there will be chaos

27
Q

what is are the criticisms for Durkeheim theory of religion

A
  • used secondary sources- decreases validity as not his own data
  • worsley notes that there is no sharp division between the scared and profane, different clans share the same totems- even if he is right does not prove he discovered the essence of all religion
  • easier to apply to small scale religions rather than large societies- explains social integration but ignores conflict
28
Q

what does Durkheim say about cognitive functions of the brain

A

sees religion as a source of our intellectual or cognitive capacities (our ability to reason and think)
in Durkheim’s view religion is the origin of concepts and categories we need for reasoning

29
Q

what does malinowski say about psychological functions (functionalists)

A
  • religion helped individuals cope with stress that could undermine social solidarity
  • religion helps to minimise disruption and funeral rituals reinforce feeling of social solidarity
30
Q

what was Malinowski study

A

study on the trobriand islanders. studied the rituals that they did before fishing in the ocean due to the danger which comes with fishing. do a ritual called canoe magic which fills the gap of uncertainty and reinforced social solidarity. shows psychological functions

31
Q

what did Malinowski say about times of life crises

A

potentially disruptive changes - hatch, match and dispatch- malinowski argues that religion helps to deal with these maintain social solidarity

32
Q

what did parsons say about religion

A

identifies 2 other important functions of religion in modern society:
creates and legitimates society’s basic values and norms ( sacralising them= makes them bigger than ordinary)
provides a source of meaning by answering ultimate questions

33
Q

what did Bellah (1970) say about civil religion

A

civil religion means a non religious religion

  • attaches scared qualities to society itself
  • unites multi faith societies
  • integrates individuals
  • sacralises Americans way of life - legitimates American way of life
34
Q

evaluation of functionalists theory on religion

A
  • emphases social nature of religion + positive functions it performs but neglects negative aspects of religion eg religion oppressing poor
  • ignores religion as source of conflict + divisions. where there is a society with lots of religions its very hard to unite people and promote social integration
35
Q

what do marxists argue will happen to religion in a classless society

A

there is no need for religion in a class less society

36
Q

what do Marxists say about religion as ideology

A

lenin argues religion is a spiritual gin + intoxicant dolled out to the masses by the ruling class to control them and prevent revolution. Ruling class use religion sinically

37
Q

what do marxists argue about religion and alienation

A

marx sees religion as the product of alienation - becoming separated for losing control over something that you have produced or created.
religion is a form of consolation under these dehumanising conditions

38
Q

what is the evaluation of Marxists theories of religion

A
  • marxists ignores positive functions of religion
  • nep ,marxists argue that say that religion doesn’t always hinder people
  • religion does not necessary act as an controlling ideology
39
Q

how do feminists see society

A

as patriarchal, based on male domination. Therefore feminists regard religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetuates this equality. Religious beliefs function as a patriarchal ideology that legitimates female subordination

40
Q

where is there evidence of patriarchy in religious organisations

A

mainly male dominated, despite women participating more eg orthodox, Judaism and catholism forbid women to become priests

41
Q

where is there evidence of patriarchy in sacred texts

A

largely focus the doings of male Gods, prophets etc an are usually written and interpreted by men.

42
Q

have women always been subordinate in religions

A

not always subordinate

Armstrong (1993) argues that early religions often placed women at the centre eg earth mother goddesses

43
Q

is religion the direct cause of subordination

A

Nawal El saadwi argues it is not but rather is the result of patriarchal forms of society coming into existence in the last few thousand years

44
Q

how does Woodhead criticise feminists explanations of religion

A

criticises explanations that simply equate religion with patriarchy and the oppression of women. while accepting that much traditional religion is patriarchal she argues that it is not all religion and there are ways in which religion empower women

Beliefs in society (8 decks)

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