Topic 1 - Theories of Religion

Question 1

Substantive definition of religion

Answer 1

(Weber)

• Exclusive definition - draw a clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs
• Defines religion by a belief in God or the supernatural

Question 2

Criticisms of substantive definition of religion [2]

Answer 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.

Question 3

Functional definition of religion [2]

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Criticisms of Functional definition of religion [1]

Answer 4

• Institutions offering these functions are sometimes far removed from what we mean by religion, e.g. football, nationalism

Question 5

Interactionist definition of religion [3]

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Criticisms of Interactionist definition of religion [1]

Answer 6

• Religion becomes impossible to define, since many people have differing views on what counts as a religion

Question 7

Durkheim’s view of religion [3]

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Criticisms of Durkheim’s view of religion [1]

Answer 8

• Postmodernist Mestrovic: Increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscience, so no longer is there a shared value system

Question 9

Malinowski’s view of religion [2]

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Criticisms of Malinowski’s view of religion [2]

Answer 10

• 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.

Question 11

Parson’s view of religion [2]

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Criticism of Parson’s view of religion [1]

Answer 12

• Feminists: Religion is a source of oppression for women rather than providing meaning, it subjugates women

Question 13

Bellah’s view of religion [2]

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

Criticism of Bellah’s view of religion

Answer 14

• Civil Religion can promote Nationalism -> which can promote religious fundamentalism and extremism

Question 15

Marx’s view of religion [3]

Answer 15

• ‘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

Question 16

Evaluation of Marx’s view of religion [3]

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

Lenin’s view of religion [2]

Answer 17

• Religion is a ‘spiritual gin’ confusing w/c to keep them in their place
• Ruling class create a ‘mystical fog’ that obscures reality

Question 18

Gramsci’s view of religion [2]

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

Althusser’s view of religion

Answer 19

Part of the Ideological State Apparatus - reinforces ruling-class ideology

Question 20

How are religious organisations patriarchal? [2]

Answer 20

• Religious organizations are male-dominated e.g. Catholicism forbids women to become priests
• Armstrong sees exclusion from priesthood as evidence of women’s marginalisation

Question 21

How are places of worship patriarchal? [2]

Answer 21

• Segregate the sexes and marginalize women e.g. seating women behind screens
• In Islam, menstruating women are not allowed to touch the Qur’an

Question 22

How are sacred texts patriarchal? [2]

Answer 22

• Usually feature the doings of male gods, profits e.g.

- Eve was tainted by sin and causes man’s fall from Eden

Question 23

Female Genital Mutilation

Answer 23

El Saadawi argues FGM was used as a tool to oppress women

Question 24

Evaluation of feminist views of religion [3]

Answer 24

• 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