Topic 1 Theories Of Religon Flashcards
What are functional detentions?
Religion in terms of functions performs to society and individuals
Durkheim: contribution to social integration
Yinger: region: answering ultimate questions
Inclusive
No bias against non western religions
Integration doesn’t mean it’s a religion..
What are social construction definitions?
Not possible to produce single unboersaldefemtiom
Interested in how definitions are constructed
Aldridge: Scientology is region but several governments governments have banned its legal status
Religion can be constructed by those in power to define a situation
What are functionalist theories of religion?
Religion maintains value consesnus
Distinction between scared and the profane: religion is never just beliefs and practices
Worshiping sacred symbols: worshiping society: unites community
What is totemism
Clan society eg. arutana tribe, worship totem, symbolise religion and identity, worshiping society.
Critics of functionalist theories
Worsley: no sharp division between sacred and the profane.. Totemism isn’t essence of all religions
Durkheim doesn’t explain conflict between them
Mestrovic: ideas cannot be applied to contemporary society as diversity has fragmented collective consciousnce.
Explain Marxist theories of religion
Feature of class divided society. Ideology belief system distorts reality, bough isle controls economic production through ideas eg. Church and education
Religion misleads poor into believing misfortune will be paid for in heaven
Lenin: spiritual gin (religion dulls the pain of exploitation)
Feminist theories of religion
Religion is patriarchal that reflects inequality
Religious organisations are male dominated, forbid women to become priests
Places of worship, segregates sexes seating the. Behind scenes etc
Mensturation women can’t touch Quaran
Sacred texts: male gods and written and interpreted by men, negative eve
Religious laws and functions: women fewer rights, access to divorce, abortion etc
Criticisms of feminism
1/5 priests women in Church of England
Woodhead: hijab, western sees as oppressive, muslims see as escape from confined home: symbol of liberation
Main theorists
Weber Durkheim ginger Aldridge Worsley metrovic parsons Lenin woodhead
What are substantive definitions?
Content/substance of religion
Eg. Belief in God
Weber: Belief in superior power that is above nature
Definitions at exclusive
Conroe to wider spread views of religious beliefs (leaves no room for beliefs that perform similar functions that don’t involve God)
