Theories Of The Role And Function Of Religion Flashcards
Functionalists regard society as?
A social system; a set of parts that work together to form as whole. Believe that basic needs are needed to survive, like social order. Which requires social solidarity and social integration.
Durkheim’s view on religion?
Believed that religion was a set of myths and imaginary forces, constructed by humans, that is meant to bring social order in society.
Religion as a power for social good in society and says religion is necessary for everyday life.
Religion is an important agent of secondary socialisation.
Parson believed that religion performs 3 functions?
1) Provides Moral Guidelines.
2) Religion Provides A Means Of Adjusting To Events That Cannot Be Predict
3) Religion May Function By Applying A Higher Meaning And Purpose.
Malinowski’s view?
Believed religion functions to appease the stress and anxieties created by life crisis such as birth puberty etc.
Says most societies have evolved religious rite of passage ceremonies in order to minimise any potential social disruption.
Criticism of the functionalist view?
Bruce- says it is difficult to see how religion can socialise the majority of societies members into morality and social integration.
There is also evidence that religion can be dysfunctional for society.
Hamilton- says Durkheim fails to say that religion can inspire mob mentality. Can create conflict.
Says that Durkheim’s theory works if society is ruled by one religion.
Bellah Neo-Functionalism view?
Introduced the term of civil religion, which he believed was the most influential type of belief system.
Says it’s a belief system that induces a mass response, with similar levels of passion to mainstream religions. Eg Nazism and Communism.
Feurbach Marxist view?
Said that God is just a projection of humanity. While Christianity is a form of wish fulfilment.
Says that God is just fictive being made by society.
Marx view? (Marxist)
Believed that the Christian church attacked, science and socialism and was concerned with the oppression with capitalism.
Marx saw religion as ideological in two broad ways:
1) Promotes the idea that the existing socioeconomic hierarchy is natural.
2) Marx argues that the ideological power of religion is mainly aimed at convincing the poor and the powerless.
Criticism of the Marxist view?
Functionalist say that Marx ignores the positive aspects of religion to society.
Feminist argue that religion acts to preserve male or patriarchal power as well as class inequality.
Neglects world religions and also ignores individual new age religion.
Gramsci’s view? (Neo-Marxism)
Believed that hegemony was extremely influential because the subordinate class were subjected to ideological influences in the family etc.
Said many experienced a dual consciousness.
Gramsci also rejected the traditional Marxist view that the superstructure was dependent on the economic infrastructure and therefore functioned solely to transmit ruling class ideology.
Maduro view?
Suggests that, in particular circumstances, religious ideas might actually promote social change and override ruling class ideology.
Max Weber?
Began his analysis of religion by looking at connections between different types of religion and specific social groups.
Rejected the economic reductionist model of Marx.
Ever believed the role of religion was to meet social and psychological needs.
According to Weber, religious authority usually takes one of three forms?
1) Charismatic
2) Traditional
3) Legal-Rational
Weber identified one particular theodicy?
The Protestant religion of Calvinism-
Which he claimed had facilitated dramatic economic and social change.
Biggest change was the movement from agricultural production to the industrial capitalist mode of production.
Weber came to the conclusion that religious ideas were the main catalyst for the emergence of industrial capitalism in Europe.
Calvinist theology led to the development of an ethos he termed the spirit of capitalism.
Criticism of Weber?
Marshall- said Weber did not claim Calvinism caused capitalism or that it was the only influence on its influence.
Frank- suggested that slavery, colonialism and piracy were more important than Calvinist beliefs in accelerating the development of capitalism.
Kautsky- argues that capitalism pre dated Calvinism and that Calvinist ideas were adopted by early capitalists as an ideology to justify their pursuit of profit.
