YR2 BELIEFS: theories of religion

Question 1

What are the 3 sociological definitions of religion CALLED?

Answer 1

• the functional definition
• the substantive definition
• the social constructionist definition

Question 2

how does the functional definition define religion?

Answer 2

functionalists like Durkheim & Parsons say that religion is defined by the social and psychological functions it performs for society. For example religion gives us comfort, a sense of community etc.

Question 3

how does the substantive definition define religion? And give an example of a sociologist with this view

Answer 3

religion is the belief in a supernatural power that is unable to be scientifically explained. Max Weber said religion requires a belief in a supernatural deity in 1905

Question 4

how does the social constructionist definition define religion?

Answer 4

diversity of religious belief means there is not one definitive definition of what religion is. It is personal to every individual. Aldridge uses this to question if scientology regarded as a religion.

Question 5

What do functionalists believe is society’s most basic need, and what concept makes it possible? (theories of religion)

Answer 5

society’s most basic need = the need for social order and solidarity.
- made possible by value consensus : a set of shared norms/values by which society’s members live by.

Question 6

do functionalists generally view religion as good or bad for society?

Answer 6

Functionalists believe religion is good for society as it generates an agreed set of values, which then operates to hold society together.

Question 7

When a group shares the same values, and thus generates a collective conscience, what does this PREVENT? which functionalists particularly appreciate.

Answer 7

it prevents SOCIAL CHANGE

Question 8

What 2 concepts does functionalist Durkheim distinguish between in relation to religion?

Answer 8

the sacred (things that are significant and inspire awe/wonder) and the profane (things with no special significance). Durkheim argues all religions have something that is regarded as sacred.

Question 9

name at least 2 key functionalists’ studies on the role of religion in society

Answer 9

-Durkheim’s 1915 study into the Arunta Clan
-Malinowski’s 1954 study into the Trobriand Islanders
-Parson’s 1967 study into values and meanings
-Bellah’s 1991 + 2013 study into civil religions

Question 10

Who were the Arunta Clan whom Durkheim studied in 1915? What did they do?

Answer 10

-aboriginal Australian tribe
-worship a sacred totem pole
-totem pole includes emblems that depict the clan’s origins and identity
-they come together to perform rituals around the totem pole

Question 11

What did Durkheim take away from his study of the Arunta clan regarding the role of religion in society?

Answer 11

-when the clan come together to perform rituals around the totem pole, it creates social solidarity and a sense of belonging
-suggested when they worship the pole, they are actually worshipping society
-this gives the group power, creates a collective conscience + social integration.

Question 12

what conclusion does Durkheim come to about the role of religion in society from his study of the Arunta Clan?

Answer 12

that religion performs SOCIAL FUNCTIONS for society. (social solidarity, collective conscience)

Question 13

Give 1 criticism of Durkheim’s study into the Arunta Clan

Answer 13

-unrepresentative: small scale study of one group which cannot be generalised
-1915 (OUT OF DATE) doesn’t apply to contemporary multi-faith society

Question 14

summarise who/what Malinowski studied in his study of the Trobriand Islanders. (without yet linking it to religion)

Answer 14

-the Trobriand Islanders of the Western Pacific fish in the lagoon and the ocean for food.
-fishing in the lagoon is safe. fishing in the ocean is dangerous, uncontrollable and unpredictable.
-islanders performed rituals (canoe magic) together before fishing in the ocean which acted to provide comfort, ensuring a safe & successful trip.

Question 15

What did Malinowski take away from his study of the Trobriand Islanders regarding the role of religion in society?

Answer 15

religion provides comfort in times of crisis, like death and puberty, and helps people cope with emotional stress that could threaten social solidarity. also suggests that death is the main reason for religion.

Question 16

what conclusion does Malinowski come to about the role of religion in society from his study of the Trobriand Islanders?

Answer 16

religion performs psychological functions for individuals in society

Question 17

Give 1 criticism of Malinowski’s 1954 study of the Trobriand Islanders

Answer 17

-unrepresentative: small scale study of one group which cannot be generalised
-1954 (OUT OF DATE) do other things, like family, provide more comfort than religion?

Question 18

summarise functionalist Parson’s study of religion in the Western world regarding the role of religion in society

Answer 18

-looked at how religion functions in the western world
-argues religion helps us to cope with unforeseen events / uncontrollable outcomes
-religion creates + legitimates society’s values and is the primary source of meaning/explanation in society
-religion puts society’s norms/values in a sacred context, giving them more importance and meaning
-religion provides answers to life’s ultimate questions (eg life and death)

Question 19

What conclusion does Parsons come to in his study of religion in the Western world regarding the role of religion in society?

Answer 19

Religion performs both social AND psychological functions for society

Question 20

Give 1 criticism of Parsons’ 1967 study into values and meanings

Answer 20

-1967 (OUT OF DATE)
-we are now multi faith and have different belief systems all providing different explanations + meanings
-do other sources (science) now provide answers to life’s ultimate questions?

Question 21

Summarise Bellah’s 2013 study into civil religions regarding the role of religion in society

Answer 21

-studied contemporary multi faith society, focusing on America
-argued we now have ‘civil religions’, often in the form of patriotism
-America has a huge faith in Americanism, which integrates individuals in a way traditional religions can’t. (national anthem, pledge of allegiance to flag)
-argued that civil religions unify society

Question 22

What does Bellah conclude from his 2013 study of civil religions?

Answer 22

civil religion performs social functions for society

Question 23

Give 1 criticism of Bellah’s 2013 study into civil religions

Answer 23

-can this be applied to other societies? Would it work in Britain? Does Britain have the same sense of patriotism?

Question 24

What did Karl Marx predict would inevitably happen in the future regarding the working class and capitalism?

Answer 24

The working class will ultimately become conscious of their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism. This would create a classless society with no exploitation

Question 25

How does Marxism generally view religion and its role in society?

Answer 25

Sees religion as a feature only of a class-divided, capitalist society, which is helping to maintain the class divide. Upholds position of ruling class

Question 26

Which 2 key Marxists look at the role of religion in society?

Answer 26

Marx + Lenin

Question 27

summarise Karl Marx’s view on religion’s function in society from 1884

Answer 27

-religion operates as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate the suffering of the poor
-creates a false class consciousness
-religion is the product of alienation, providing a form of consolation for their suffering

Question 28

what is meant by a false class consciousness? in the context of Marxist view on functions of religion.

Answer 28

a distorted view of reality that prevents the poor from acting to change their lives and revolting.

Question 29

what famous quote did Karl Marx say about religion’s role in society? what does it mean?

Answer 29

religion is the ‘opium of the masses’ . It dulls the pain of the oppression, rather than treating the underlying cause of it. It masks the exploitation by saying their position of poverty is inevitable + God - given

Question 30

summarise Lenin’s view on religion’s function in society from 1880.

Answer 30

-religion is a ‘spiritual gin’ - an intoxicant handed out to the masses by the ruling class
-religion confuses the masses + keeps them in their place. The ruling class use religion to keep them from overthrowing them.
-Religion legitimates power and privilege by making it appear to be a divine order.

Question 31

what is the Caste System?

Answer 31

-part of Hindu belief in India
-splits society into 4/5 hierarchal social classes
-strict rules. stick to the role of your caste, don’t mix with other castes.
- people in the lowest caste are enslaved, poor, get attacked etc.
-the reward for sticking to your caste and its rules = no more reincarnation + eternal bliss in the afterlife
-supports Marxist theory that religion performs ideological functions to maintain class divide

Question 32

Give an example of a Bible passage that supports Marxist theory on the role of religion in society.

Answer 32

• ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven…’

Question 33

If Karl Marx’s view on the role of religion is correct, does religion have a future?

Answer 33

If Marx is correct by saying that eventually the working class will wake up + revolt against capitalism, then one day religion will not be necessary in a classless society.

Question 34

Give at least 3 evaluative points of the Marxist theory on the role of religion in society.

Answer 34

-ignores positive functions of religion
-ignores the fact that religion can bring about social change.
-assumes that the working class are passive
-ignores the fact that religion can only be used as a controlling force if people interact with it. growing non - religious population
-theory based on assumption rather than fact
-religion is present in non-capitalist societies

Question 35

In brief terms, how do feminists view religion and its role in society?

Answer 35

-society is patriarchal and so is religion
- religion reflects society’s inequalities between men + women.
-religious belief reinforces patriarchal ideology and legitimises the subordination of women

Question 35

what 4 aspects of religion do feminists focus on to find patriarchal evidence?

Answer 35

-religious organisations
-places of worship
-sacred text
-religious laws & customs

Question 36

how are religious organisations patriarchal?

Answer 36

-mainly male - dominated despite the fact that women often participate more. For example, Catholicism forbids women to become priests

Question 37

how are sacred texts patriarchal?

Answer 37

-largely feature the doings of male Gods, prophets etc
-Usually written / interpreted by men
-Story of Adam & Eve blamed Eve for original sin

Question 37

how are places of worship patriarchal?

Answer 37

-often segregate the sexes and marginalise women
- women’s participation may be restricted. For example, taboos that regard menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth prevent participation.

Question 38

how are religious laws patriarchal?

Answer 38

-may give women fewer rights than men, such as access to divorce
-religious influences on cultural norms may also lead to unequal treatment such as genital mutation.

Question 39

What does Armstrong (1993) say about women’s position in early religion?

Answer 39

-early religions often placed women at the centre. Example, earth mother goddesses, fertility cults, female priesthoods were all found throughout the middle East
-It wasn’t until the growth of monotheistic religions, with an all powerful male God, that women began to be excluded

Question 40

How did Woodhead (2009) criticise the feminist view that religion is patriarchal?

Answer 40

• The Hijab is an Islamic veil of modesty. Women’s CHOICE to wear the hijab can empower them. Allows women to avoid men’s sexualisation.