Theories of religon Flashcards
Functionalist approach to religion
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Durkheim - sacred and the profane
- Religion is defined by the distinction between the sacred and profane
- sacred things are symbols that represent power which symbolises society itself - worship of sacred symbols therefore is equivalent to worshipping society, uniting believers into a single community
- the profane are things that have no special significance - opposite of sacred
Durkheim - collective conscience
- Durkheim argues social life would be impossible without value consensus and a common moral code of conduct - which is collective conscience
- Religion reinforces this as during worship the values and belief are emphasised along with promoting social solidarity when members join together - reinforcing further
Parsons - values and meaning
- religions socialises people into shared values - which is often stated quite directly by religion for example the 10 commandments
- further argues religion answers ultimate questions beyond science giving meaning to existence
Malinowski - psychological function
- Religion helps individuals deal with anxious and stressful situations, these unpredictable events can cause instability and disruption in society - therefore religion keeps stability of society
- this can be seen in events such as births and deaths were religious ceremonies preserve stability
Support of the functionalist approach
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Against the functionalist approach
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Supporting the Marxist approach
- slave owners in the southern states of America often converted slaves to Christianity
- the Catholic Church is extremely wealthy however does not do enough to tackle inequality
Against the Marxist approach
- fails to consider secularisation- doesn’t apply now seen by less than 10% going to church (no ideological power)
- not only the oppressed go to church many is the middle class
marxist approach to religion - marx
• Marx believed that people become ‘alienated’ or detached from each other as a result of their lives being determined by external forces (capitalism)
• Religion is a product of this alienation; people seek to regain some purpose and acceptance of their place in society, it is a series of myths which justify inequality and oppression of the masses
• the supernatural realm has no reality - religion is merely a social construction.
• religion can dull the pain of oppression.
marxism - religion and social control
• maintains the existing system of exploitation and reinforcing class relationships.
• justifies misery as Gods will and with promises of salvation in the afterlife, discouraging people from attempting to change their situation.
• offers an illusion of hope in a hopeless situation, preventing thoughts of overthrowing the system (false consciousness)
• diverts attention away from source of oppression so helps maintain ruling class power
the relationship between church and state
• The Church and the State were seen as one in former times, as today it is in certain countries
• the bourgeois and the church support one another: the former generously funded the later, and church legitimated social inequality, thus maintaining the established social order.
• eg in feudal England when the landed classes’ decisions were frequently legitimated be religious decree
religion as a patriarchal institution
• There are several versions of feminism, but they have a number of things in common. Most use patriarchy as a key idea.
• Patriarchy refers to a social system which is organised for the benefit of males, a system in which male dominance is supported by beliefs, values and norms.
• Many feminists claim that religion is a patriarchal institution. Teachings and practices from a range of religions suggest that they systematically benefit males over females, particularly in reinforcing an ideology of the family.
Anderson & Gordon - socialisation moral codes and patriarchal social control
• In a number of religions, or in cultures heavily influenced by religion, differential treatment occurs.
• Women have fewer options or receive less favourable treatment than men in daily life.
• They are often significantly more limited than males with regards to what they can do, where they can go and with whom they may associate.
• Women face sanctions if they do not conform to norms underpinned by religious codes.
Anderson & Gordon - Showed how witch-hunting had a misogynous ideological basis which reflected the low status of women. Witches were invariably identified as being feminine, evil and anti-christ
Swale - Collective organisation
• In all world religions, the majority of religious professionals are male.
• In most religions, women are likely to be the congregation. Yet their role tends to be secondary - they do not often participate actively in the service.
• Women’s bodies and sexuality are also feit to be dangerous by many religions - as women menstruate and give birth they are considered to have a greater capacity to ‘pollute’ religious rituals along with distracting the men from their more important roles involving worship.
Swale - The church service illustrates how deep-rooted the masculine nature of the church is, using male pronouns and commands for women to take a subservient role
