Topic 2 - Theories of Religion Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 3 ways that sociologists define religion
A
- Substantive definitions
- Functional definitions
- Social constructionist definitions
2
Q
Substantive deifinitions
A
- Exclusive definitions of religion
- They draw a clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs
- A belief in God or the supernatural
- WEBER defines religion as belief in a superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically
- For example, Abrahamic religions who believe in the oneness of God
3
Q
A03 Substantive definitions
A
- They are accused of western bias because they exclude eastern belief systems like Buddhism
- Defining religion in this way leaves no room for beliefs and practices that perform similar functions to religion but do not include a belief in God
4
Q
Functional definitions
A
- Functionalists do not focus on religion in terms on belief, but instead the purpose that religion serves for society, or the psychological functions its performs for individuals
- For example, DURKHEIM defines religion in terms of its contributions to social intergration
- YINGER argues that religion helps us to answer ultimate questions such as what happens after we die
5
Q
A03 Functional definitions
A
- Just because a social organisation helps to integrate people this does not make it a religion
6
Q
Social constructionist definitions
A
- Take an interpretivist approach and focuses more on the meanings that people actually give to religions, and why they consider it to be a religion in the first place
7
Q
A03 Social constructionist definitions
A
- Inclusive in the fact that they do not require a belief but this is subjective as everyone can have different beliefs about religion so it becomes impossible to define what exactly a religion is = pluralism
- ALDRIDGE argues for its followers scientology is a religion but many governemnts have denied it a legal status
8
Q
Exclusive definitions
A
- Go against the concept of postmodernity and choice
- Non-intergrating
- Attempt to maintin status quo by having a singular view of what religion is
9
Q
Inclusive definitions
A
- More accommodating of non-metaphorical belief systems
- Examine the meanings that people attach to religious based practices
- Challenge the status quo
10
Q
Functionalist theories of religion
A
- Functionalists view society as an organism, with interdependant parts and functions
- Societies most basic need is social order and solidarity
11
Q
The sacred and the profane
A
- DURKHEIM
1) The sacred: The unique ability of religion to instill in its believers a set of values which inspire emotions such as fear or wonder - performed by social groups and unite society
2) The profane: Ordinary or everyday things which hold no significance and do not unite social groups in a collective organism - DURKHEIM believed that when we consider worshipping the sacred, we are worshipping society as it unites everyone through collective practices and rituals
- Totemism (DURKHEIM) felt to properly understand religion you must study the simplest if societies and found clans came together to worship a sacred totem
12
Q
The collective consciousness
A
- DURKHEIM: We are bound in a collective way of living, and our sense of individuality changes. We become more than people, but a group with a singular purpose
- Without this collective conscience the concept of society would disintergrate.
13
Q
Cognitive functions
A
- DURKHEIM and MAUSS state religion provides us with categories (able to reason and think), e.g., the concept of time, space and could not exist without religion
- DURKHEIM belives that religion is the origin of human thought, reason, and science
14
Q
A03 - Criticising DURKHEIM
A
- Not every religion has the same sacred totems, different religions have different signs they worship = challenges collective conscience
- May apply to small societies but is harder to apply to large scale societies where theyre are many religions with conflict with each other
- Postmodern sociologist (MESTROVIC) argues that there is increased diversity in society and no longer a simple shared value system for religion to reinforce
15
Q
Psychological functions
A
- MALINOWSKI = religion promotes social solidarity, but does this by providng a psychological function and helps people when the outcome of everyday life is important but uncontrollable
There are 2 psychological functions proposed by MALINOWSKI:
1) The Trobriand Islands
2) When Life is in Crisis
16
Q
The Trobriand Islands
A
- MALINOWSKI
- Here, fishing takes place either in a lagoon, or in the ocean
- In the lagoon, fishing is predictable as poison is used, so the islanders do not turn to spirituality
- In the ocean, fishing is uncertain as it is open, so “canoe magic” is used
- This helps the islanders gain confidence psychologically, but also unites them as a society
17
Q
When Life is in Crisis
A
- MALINOWSKI
- When life is uncertain or testing, e.g., birth/death/marriage, turning to religion provides individuals with a level of comfort that unites them
- Death = main reason for the existance of religious belief
18
Q
PARSONS - Values and meanings
A
1) Creates and legitimises society’s central values: makes them sacred, e.g., protestantism is the core to American values
2) Primary source of meaning: answers “ultimate” questions such and why do the good suffer and why do some die young
- Both of these functions help maintain socail stability and prevent anomie
19
Q
Civil religion
A
- BELLAH
- What happens when there is more than one belief system within a society?
- Civil religion = e.g., in America, there is the concept of “One nation under God”, this is the same belief for Jewish people, Muslims, Christians, and Athiests
20
Q
A03 Criticising functionalism
A
- Emphasise the positive function religion serves but ignores the negative effects, e.g, religion being a souce of oppression for the poor and women
- Ignores religion as a source of conflict e.g., Northern Island = hard to see how religion can unite and promote intergration
- Civil religion does overcome this to some degree by explaining how some societies have overarching beliefs shared by all, is this really religion?
21
Q
Marxist theories of religion
A
- Opposite of functionalists, everyone is working towareds a similar goal, or that we are all apart of a collective consciousness
- Society based on class conflict between the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat
- Conflict would only end when the Proletariat rise up against the Bourgeoisie
22
Q
Religion as ideology
A
- LENIN = religion is an apparatus used by the Bourgeoisie to legetimise their control over the Proletariat
- Religion misleads the Proletariat into believing that their suffering in this life is valuable, and will lead them to a better life afterwards
- LENIN = religion as a “spiritual gin”: doled out to the masses by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place = “mystical fog” that obscures reality
- Creates a false consciousness
23
Q
The drug of the oppressed
A
- “Religion is the opium of the people. It is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, the soul of soulless conditions…”
- Religion becomes a mechanism of coping when the Proletariat are exploited on a daily basis = alienation
- Salvation = religion = this worldly existance
- Results in an ideological state apparatus (ALTHUSSER)
24
Q
A03 Marxism
A
- Ignore the positive functions that religion serves such as those of social solidarity (DURKHEIM), and the physiological functions (MALINOWSKI). Neo-marxists see religion as helping not hindering social change
- ALTHUSSER rejects the idea of alienation as we do not have one true self, therefore this is inadequate
- Capitalism and religion have not always gone hand in hand (ABERCROMBIE and TURNER)
25
Q
Feminist theories of religion
A
- Society is based on conflict between men and women (patriarchy)
26
Q
Evidence of patriarchy in religion: Religious organisations
A
- Most religions are male dominated, e.g. Catholicism forbid eomrn to become priests
- ARMSTRONG sees womens exclusion as women becoming marginalised
27
Q
Evidence of patriarchy in religion: Places of religion
A
- Women are often segregated or seated behind men in places of worship, where men occupy more of an important role
- HOLM women are devalued = seen as impure when pregnant
28
Q
Evidence of patriarchy in religion: Sacred texts
A
- Religious scripture always depicts tales of male Prophets/Gods and usually written by men
- Stories are usually anti-female
29
Q
Evidence of patriarchy in religion: Religious laws and customs
A
- May give women fewer rights, e.g., access to divurce, decision making, and dress code
- Religious influence on cultural norms can also lead to unequal treatment such as punishment for sexual behaviour, e.g., Catholic church ban abortion
30
Q
A03 Feminism
A
- ARMSTRONG women in the middle-ages were depicted as Godesses, 4000 years ago exclusive religions submerged = social construct as being subordinated
- WOODHEAD religious feminism cannot be generalised (instead there are religious forms of feminism)
- BRUSCO found belonging to the Pentecostal Church can be empowering by freeing women from the machismo culture men take part in
- RINALDO = piety movement
