Topic 1 - Theories of Religion Flashcards
Substantive definition of religion
(Weber)
- Exclusive definition - draw a clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs
- Defines religion by a belief in God or the supernatural
Criticisms of substantive definition of religion [2]
- Too narrow a definition, excludes beliefs that perform religious functions w/ no belief in God e.g. Buddhism and Jedism
- Accused of Western bias as excludes Buddism, doesn’t have Western idea of a God.
Functional definition of religion [2]
- Defined by the social or psychological functions it performs for an individual:
Durkheim: Social solidarity
Malinowski: Psyc. benefits
Bellah: Civil Religion - Inclusive, includes a wide range of beliefs. no bias against non-Western religions
Criticisms of Functional definition of religion [1]
- Institutions offering these functions are sometimes far removed from what we mean by religion, e.g. football, nationalism
Interactionist definition of religion [3]
- Not one definition for religion, it’s defined by those who practice it
- Interactionist approach - it means different things for different people
- Not assumptive about beliefs
Criticisms of Interactionist definition of religion [1]
- Religion becomes impossible to define, since many people have differing views on what counts as a religion
Durkheim’s view of religion [3]
- Religion provides the essential function of uniting believers into a single moral community
- Totemism: Arunta Aboriginal Tribe, when the tribe worshipped the totem they in fact worshipped society
- Religion represents society’s collective conscience
Criticisms of Durkheim’s view of religion [1]
- Postmodernist Mestrovic: Increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscience, so no longer is there a shared value system
Malinowski’s view of religion [2]
Religion provides psychological functions:
- Where the outcome is uncertain:
Trobiand Islanders’ study, used ‘canoe magic’ when ocean fishing to ensure safety. - At times of life crises:
Religion helps to minimise disruption at times of life and death
Criticisms of Malinowski’s view of religion [2]
- Marxists argue that the psychological function of religion is actually to promote the false class consciousness, smokescreening w/c oppression
- Less people in contemp. society are relying on religion - more on media.
Parson’s view of religion [2]
Religion provides values and meanings:
- Creates and legitimizes society’s central values -> promotes meritocracy & self-discipline
- It is the primary source of meaning -> answers ultimate questions about life & death
Criticism of Parson’s view of religion [1]
- Feminists: Religion is a source of oppression for women rather than providing meaning, it subjugates women
Bellah’s view of religion [2]
- Civil Religion in the USA unifies people into a faith of ‘the American way of life’
- Integrates society e.g. singing national anthem & American flag binds together Americans
Criticism of Bellah’s view of religion
- Civil Religion can promote Nationalism -> which can promote religious fundamentalism and extremism
Marx’s view of religion [3]
- ‘Religion is the opium of the people’, an ideological weapon used to legitimate w/c suffering
- Creates a false consciousness - a smokescreen distracting w/c from their oppression
- Divine Right of Kings reinforces Bourgeoisie power and privledge
Evaluation of Marx’s view of religion [3]
- People recognize false consciousness but economic factors prevent revolution (Abercrombie)
- Functionalists - religion can be a source of good and lead to social change e.g. CRM
- Outdated: secularisation means religion has lost its closeness to the state
Lenin’s view of religion [2]
- Religion is a ‘spiritual gin’ confusing w/c to keep them in their place
- Ruling class create a ‘mystical fog’ that obscures reality
Gramsci’s view of religion [2]
- Ruling-class can use hegemony to transfer r/c ideas
- Working-class can use counter-hegemony to enact change, e.g. US w/c miners in 1960s and 70s
Althusser’s view of religion
Part of the Ideological State Apparatus - reinforces ruling-class ideology
How are religious organisations patriarchal? [2]
- Religious organizations are male-dominated e.g. Catholicism forbids women to become priests
- Armstrong sees exclusion from priesthood as evidence of women’s marginalisation
How are places of worship patriarchal? [2]
- Segregate the sexes and marginalize women e.g. seating women behind screens
- In Islam, menstruating women are not allowed to touch the Qur’an
How are sacred texts patriarchal? [2]
- Usually feature the doings of male gods, profits e.g.
- Eve was tainted by sin and causes man’s fall from Eden
Female Genital Mutilation
El Saadawi argues FGM was used as a tool to oppress women
Evaluation of feminist views of religion [3]
- Many religions are becoming more equal e.g. CoE female priests
- Religious forms of Feminism (Woodhead) - hijab can be used by Muslim girls to improve their position
- Functionalists: Religion suits biological natures of men & women and can have psych.+ spiritual benefits for women
