Theroies Of Religion Fuctionalism Flashcards
What is Durkheims theory of religion
-For Durkheim the key feature of religion is a fundamental distinction between sacred and profane
-furthermore religion is never simply asset beliefs but also involves rituals or practices
-He studied the practice of Thomism among the central Australian Arunta tribes
-They all worship a sacred object known as a totem
-When were shipping the totem they’re actually worshipping society as a the totem represented their way of life
-This helps buying society together and therefore religion acts as a conservative force
-Reinforcing collective conscience, acting is a ‘ social glue’ I’m preventing any damaging rapid social change
Evaluation of Durkheim theory
I like contemporary relevance as he studied a single faith society.
We now live in a complex multi faith society and so his theory may not apply.
Different religious values can compare people in community apart and pause threats to social order and stability
E.g. Northern Ireland.
What is Parsons theory of religion (two parts)?
- Religion, legitimate societies shared norms and values.
-It does this by sacralising them
-In the US protestantism has sexualised the core American values
-For example, individualism has been sacralised as protestantism focuses on an individual relationship with God
-This can also be seen in the protestant work ethic
-This serves to promote value consensus and thus social stability - Religion provides a source of meaning.
-It answers the ultimate questions
-e.g. Why are we here?= the creation story. Why do good people die young?= God’s plan and a test of face.
-Events like death defy our sense of justice and make life appear meaningless and this may undermine our commitment to societies values
-So by using these religious meanings, it helps society remain stable
Evaluation for Parsons 1. Religion legitimate society shared norms values.
Marxists and feminist criticise them for being rose tinted.
It legitimate the norms and values of dominant groups.
Religion used to keep the subordinate groups passive
Evaluation of Parsons 2. Religion provides a sense of comfort in times of life crisis.
Secularisation theorists such as briefs I like contemporary relevance
People today are much less likely to be religious.
Post-modernists would argue that there we have a consumer culture where retail therapy provide provides an alternative source of comfort for many
What is Malinowski’s the area religion (two parts)?
- Provide a sense of control and uncontrollable situations.
-He found this when studying the trobriand islanders
-They survived a fish that they would fish for their lagoon
-However at times it was necessary to fish in the ocean which were unpredictable and unsafe
-To gain a sense of control the island is performed a ritual ‘canoe magic’ before they went fishing in the ocean
-They believed if they performed this virtual they would return safely therefore religious ritual gives them a sense of control and uncontrollable situations - Religion provides a sense of comfort in times of life crisis.
-Religion can provide a source of comfort explanation and meaning for crisis is such as bereavement
-Bereavement= collective rituals like funerals
-Marriage breakdown= in Catholicism reconciliation and religious counselling
-Puberty = bah/bat mitzvah celebrate coming of age
Evaluation of Malinowski
His theory may like contemporary relevant. Assume that religion is the most significant ideology, however people now turned into science for certainty. For example, people use a satnav rather than religious ritual to ensure the return safe.
Postmarks would argue that in today’s consumer culture, where ‘ retail therapy’ provides an alternative source of comfort religion may not be used as much.
What is bellah’s theory of religion?
Like Parsons, he’s interested in how religion unifies society especially in a multi faith society such as America.
- What unifies America is an overarching civil religion
-this is a belief that attaches sacred qualities to society itself
-In America, the Civil War religion is Americanism
The American civil religion involves loyalty to nation state and belief in God, both of which are equated with being a true American
-It’s expressed in various rituals such as pledge allegiance or ‘ one nation under God’
-However this is not specifically a catholic God but rather an American God
-It’s sacrifices American way of life and binds together Americans from many different ethnic groups and religious backgrounds.
Evaluation of bellahs theory
Bellahs Work answers the criticisms made of durkhiems Work. As Bellah’s religion does apply to multifaith societies and therefore has contemporary relevance.
