Topic 1: Theories of religion

Question 1

Functional definitions

Answer 1

In terms of social/psychological functions for individuals.
Durkheim- contribution made to social integration
Yinger- functions for individuals, ultimate questions
Inclusive.

Question 2

Social constructionist definitions

Answer 2

How members of society define religion
Universal definition not possible
Aldridge- Scientology is religion to its followers but governments have sought to ban it. Shows definitions can be contested and influenced.

Question 3

Durkheim’s functions of religion

Answer 3

The sacred and the profane- worshipping society itself, unites believers into single moral community
Totemism- Arunta, Australian Aboriginal tribe
The collective conscience- rituals reinforce this and remind us of the power of society
Cognitive functions- Gives us categories needed to reason and think conceptually. Allow us to communicate.

Question 4

Worsley

Answer 4

Durkheim criticism- no sharp division between sacred and profane. If he is right about tote sim it does not prove the essence of all religions has been discovered.

Question 5

Mestrovic

Answer 5

Durkheim criticism- ideas cannot be applied to contemporary society as diversity has fragmented the collective conscience

Question 6

Malinowski

Answer 6

Psychological functions for individuals:

1. Where outcome is important but uncontrollable (e.g. Trobriand Islanders- lagoon/ocean fishing- canoe magic)
2. At times of life crisis- minimises disruption e.g. Funeral reinforce solidarity among survivors and immortality denies the fact of death

Question 7

Parsons

Answer 7

Values and meaning:

legitimates society’s norms and values by sacralising them; promoting value consensus and social stability.

Provides ultimate source of meaning- answers ultimate questions. Helps people accept dire events that make live appear meaningless and could undermine commitment to society’s values, maintaining stability

Question 8

Bellah

Answer 8

Civil religion- attaches sacred qualities to society itself e.g. Americanism
Binds together people of many different ethnic and religious backgrounds

Functional alternative- other beliefs and practices That can perform the same functions of shared values and social cohesion as organised religion for society

Question 9

Criticisms of functionalism

Answer 9

Neglects negative aspects- oppression of poor and women

Ignores religion as a source of division and conflict- how can it unite with religious pluralism?

Civil religion is not really a religion

Question 10

Marx

Answer 10

Religion as ideology- distorts perception of reality to serve ruling class interests. Ideological weapon to legitimate suffering as inevitable and god-given.
Ideas create a false consciousness- a distorted view of reality preventing poor from acting to change situation 
Legitimates power and privilege of dominant class by making it seem divinely ordinated 

Alienation- workers do not own what they produce, monogamy of process
Religion therefore acts as the ‘opium of the people’ to dull the pain of exploration

Question 11

Lenin

Answer 11

Religion is a ‘spiritual gin’ doled out to the masses to confuse them and keep them in their place, creating a ‘mystical fog’ that obscures reality.

Question 12

Criticisms of Marxism

Answer 12

Ignores positive functions.
Neo-Marxism sees certain forms of religion as assisting not hindering class consciousness 
Other Marxist Althusser rejects the concept of alienation as unscientific.
Abercrombie and Turner- religion does not necessarily function effectively as an ideology to control the population- in pre-capitalist society Christianity had limited impact on the peasantry.

Question 13

Armstrong

Answer 13

Women’s exclusion from the priesthood of most religions is evidence of their marginalisation. Religious organisations are male dominated despite women often participating more than men.

Early religions often placed women at the centre (e.g. Earth mother goddesses, fertility cults and female priesthoods) However the rise of monotheistic religions saw the establishment of ansingle all powerful male God.

Question 14

Holm

Answer 14

Places of worship segregate the sexes and female participation is restricted. Taboos regrading mensturation, pregnancy and childbirth as polluting also prevent participation. Holm describes this as the devaluation of women in contemporary religion.

Question 15

El Saadawi

Answer 15

Religion is not the cause of female subordination, but as a result of patriarchal society patriarchy began to influence and reshape religion, and men reshaped beliefs in ways that favoured patriarchy. Thus, religion now continues to women’s oppression.

Agreeing with Armstrong, El Saadawi sees the rise of monotheism as legitimating men’s power over women

Question 16

Woodhead

Answer 16

Woodhead- the exclusion of women from the Catholic priesthood reveals the Church’s deep unease with female emancipation generally

Religious forms of feminism: Hijab/veil allows women to escape the confines of the home and enter education/employment without losing cu,untrue and identity
Women use religion to gain status/respect for their roles within the home and family- belonging to an evangelical group can empower women

Question 17

Substantive definitions

Answer 17

Focus on content of belief I.e. God and the supernatural.
Weber- A belief in a power above nature that cannot be explained scientifically.
Exclusive.