Theories of Religion as a Conservative Foce

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

Argued that the fact that thousands of religions exist suggests that God and the supernatural have no foundation. He believed that religion was a set of myths and imaginary forces constructed by human beings which functioned to bring out social order societies.

Question 2

Durkheim

Answer 2

Argued that all societies divide the world into two categories: the ‘sacred’ and the ‘profane’. Durkheim suggests that sacred things are symbols, they represent something. He argues that to understand the role of religion in society, the relationship between sacred and profane and what they represent must be established.

Question 3

Worsley; Durkheim EV

Answer 3

Notes that there is no sharp division between the sacred and the profane, and that different clans share the same totems.

Question 4

Mestrovic

Answer 4

Argue that Durkheim’s ideas cannot be applied to contemporary society, because increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscience, so there is no longer a single shared value system for religion to reinforce.

Question 5

Malinowski; psychological functions of religion

Answer 5

Agrees with Durkheim that religion promotes solidarity. It does do by preforming psychological functions for individuals, helping them cope with emotional stress that would undermine social solidarity.

Question 6

Malinowski’s two types of psychological roles

Answer 6

1. In times of life crisis; religion functions to appease the stress and anxieties created by life crises such as birth, puberty, marriage and death
2. Where outcomes are uncontrollable and uncertain; islanders preform rituals to give people a sense of control and reinforce group solidarity

Question 7

Parsons; values and meanings

Answer 7

Agreed with the ideas of Malinowski and suggested religion preformed three major functions;
1. Promotes and legitimates society’s central values
2. Preforms psychological functions
3. The primary source of meaning; gives meaning to life

Question 8

Bellah

Answer 8

Argues that secular belief systems, such as nationalism, have successfully incorporated elements of religion into their rituals, ceremonies and ideologies, and consequently participation in these movements is similar in character to believing in and belonging to a religious group.

Question 9

Davie; vicarious religion

Answer 9

Argues that in some countries ‘belonging without believing’ is the norm. Surveys of people in these countries indicate very little religious belief and yet the churches in these countries are well-maintained because the people are happy to pay a church tax for that very purpose

Question 10

Marx; religion as a conservative force

Answer 10

Argued that religion was a conservative force in society. However, he did not agree that his force is beneficial to society. Marx argued that religion was part of the superstructure of capitalist society and consequently religion was an ideological apparatus which functioned to reproduce, maintain and legitimate the class inequalities.

Question 11

Marx; religion as ideology

Answer 11

Ideology is a belief system that distorts people’s perception of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class. He argues that the class that controls economic production also controls the production and distribution of ideas in society.

Question 12

Marx; product of alienation

Answer 12

He also sess religion as the product of alienation. Alienation involves becoming separated from or losing control over something that one has produced or created.

Question 13

Marx; opium of the people

Answer 13

Religion acts as an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation. so it masks the underlying problem of exploitation that creates the need for it.

Question 14

Halevy

Answer 14

Suggests that Methodism played a key role in preventing a revolution in Britain in 19th century. Discontented workers expressed their dissatisfaction with the organisation of capitalist society by deserting the CoE.

Question 15

Leach

Answer 15

Is critical of the conservatism of the CoE. He analysed the class composition of the ruling body and noted that 80% of bishops were educated at private school and Oxbridge and most church officers were upper middle class

Question 16

Abercrombie, Hill and Turner

Answer 16

Argue that pre-capitalist society, while Christianity was a major element of ruling-class ideology, it had only limited impact on the peasantry

Question 17

Feminist evaluation of Marx

Answer 17

Argue religion acts to preserve male, patriarchal power, not ruling-class power and Marxists ignore gender inequality

Question 18

Karen Armstrong; Evidence

Answer 18

Sees exclusion from the priesthood as evidence of women’s marginalisation

Question 19

Karen Armstrong

Answer 19

Argues that early religions often placed women at the centre e.g. earth mother goddesses. However, from about 4,000 years ago, the rise of monotheistic religions saw the establishment of a single all-powerful male God

Question 20

Nawal El Saadawi

Answer 20

Argues that women are sometimes seriously oppressed in Islamic states e.g. FGM. She argues that while religion may be used to oppress women, it is not the direct cause of their subordination.

Question 21

Simone de Beauvoir

Answer 21

Argued men usually control religious organisations and claim that their authority come from God. It deceives women into thinking they are equal to men.

Question 22

Linda Woodhead

Answer 22

Argues that there are ways in which women use religion to gain greater freedom and respect e.g. the hijab can be worn as a means of liberation

Question 23

Elizabeth Brusco

Answer 23

Belonging to a pentecostal group cab be empowering for some women, they can use religion to increase their power and influence, activities linked to the church can be used to chare experiences and find support

Question 24

Rachel Rinaldo

Answer 24

Argues that women may sometimes find ways to further their own interests