Theories of religion sociology a2

Functionalist theory of Religion

Functionalists see society as a system of inter-related parts.
Society is like an organism, with basic needs that are met by different institutions which perform different functions.
Only society can survive through value consensus, without this individuals would pursue their own selfish desires and society would disintegrate.
DURKHEIM
SACRED AND PROFANESacred are things that are apart and forbidden and inspire feelings of awe, it is surrounded by taboos and prohibitions
Profane are things that are ordinary and mundane and have no special significance Durkheim believes that symbols represent greater power, which can only be society as that is the only thing powerful to evoke such feelings.
The essential function for Religion is unity into a single moral community
TOTENISMTHE COLLECTIVE CONCIENCEAustralian Aboriginal simple clan society
Totem is the clan’s emblem, that symbolises the clan’s origins and identity.
It serves to reinforce the group’s solidarity and social stability.
Argues that they are actually worshipping society as it represents the power of the group on which the individuals are totally dependant.
Regular social rituals reinforce the collective conscience and maintain social integration.
This brings people’s loyalty to each other and remind them of dependence of the powerful society.
Religion strengthens us and helps face life’s trials and motivates us to overcome obstacles that otherwise defeats us as it makes us feel that we are part of something greater than us.
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　- can not be applied to large scale society
- Even if totenism concept is correct this does not prove he has discovered essence of other Religions
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May explain social integration not conflict
Postmodernists argue that Durkheim’s ideas can not be applied to contemporary society- no longer a single shared value system for Religion to reinforce.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

Bronislaw Malinowski (1954) agrees that Religion promotes solidarity.
Does so performing psychological functions for individuals.
1) Where the outcome is important but it uncontrollable and thus uncertainTrobirand Islands of the Western Pacific
- Lagoon fishing us safe and there is no ritual
- Ocean fishing is dangerous and is followed by a ritual to ensure a safe and successful expedition
This gives people a sense of control and confidence.
2) At times of life crisisEvents such as life, death, birth, puberty
Services provoke feelings of social solidarity, while the notion of immorality gives comfort, belief in life after death helps them cope.
Religion gives them security.
　

PARSON’S: VALUE AND MEANING

Talcott Parsons (1967) also sees essential functions that Religion performs in modern society.
1) Creates and legitamises society’s central valuesBy making the value’s sacred and promotes value consensus and thus social stability
2) Primary source of meaningAnswers ultimate questions about human conditions thus enables people to adjust yo adverse events or circumstances and help maintains stability.

CIVIL RELIGION

Robert Bellah (1970)
Americanism ‘American way of life’ and American society.
Civil religion is where a belief system that attaches sacred qualities are attached to society itself.
Civil Religion can claim loyalty of all Americans despite the individual religion of all .
This involves loyalty to the nation state and belief in God which are equated to being a true ‘American’
Binds people together from different ethnic and Religious backgrounds.
FUNCTIONAL ALTERNATIVESNon- Religious beliefs and practices that perform similar functions to that of an organised Religion.
Some other belief system Bellah argues that any other belief system could perform the same functions such as Nazi Germany to unite society

EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONALISM

　
Neglects negative aspects, such as Religion as a source of oppression of the poor and women
Ignores Religion as a source of division and conflict especially in societies which has more than one Religion
Can civil Religion be called a Religion when it has no belief in the supernatural or in a higher being
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

MARXIST THEORY OF RELIGION

Marx predicted working class would realise their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism. Resulting in a classless system with no exploitation.
Marxism sees Religion as a feature only of class divided society.
Therefore as a result in a classless society Religion will disappear.
RELIGION AS AN IDELOLOGY Religion is a belief system that distorts people’s perception of reality in ways that serve the interest of the ruling class.
The class that controls the economic production also produces and distributes ideas in society through the Church, education system and media.
Ideological weapon- suffering of the poor is inevitable and God given and is to be rewarded immensely in the hereafter.
False consensus is created which is a distorted view of reality to make the poor not change their situation.
Lenin (1890-1924)- ‘spiritual gin’ manipulate masses and prevents them from overthrowing ruling class by creating a ‘mystical fog’.
Religion also makes higher class position appear divinely ordained
‘Divine right of Kings’.
RELIGION AND ALIENATION Alienation- losing control or being separated from something one has created or produced.
Under capitalism, workers are alienated as they do not own what they produce and have no control.
Religion performs some form of consolation ‘opium of the people’
Religion masks the pain and does not solve underlying problems.
Religion acts as an ideology that legitimises both the suffering of the poor and privileges of ruling class.
HINDU CASTE SYSEM Hindus are born into and marriage is forbidden between the castes.
Priest - warrior - merchant - slaves and labourers - untouchables.
Belief in reincarnation means that they are born into the caste depending on past life’s purity.
Higher class are pure whilst the untouchables are the lowest and need to perform cleaning ritual if they touch the lowest.
This controls society as it has been ordained on one’s own account.
　
　
EVALUATION
1- Neo- Marxist sees Religion as assisting not hindering the development of class consciousness
2- Althusser (1971) concept of alienation is unscientific as it is based on romantic idea the humans have a ‘true self’
3- Turner et al (1978) in Pre capitalist society Christianity had not much impact on peasants
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

FEMINIST THEORY OF RELIGION

Religious beliefs function as a patriarchal ideology that legitamises female subordination.
EVIDENCE OF PATRIACHY Religious organisations:
Karen Armstrong (1993) see women’s exclusion from the priesthood of most Religions as an evidence of marginalisation
Places of worship

society
Sacred texts
Demise of mankind due to women.
Religious laws and customs

and reproductive role.
However, some believe that women have not always been subordinate to men within Religion.
Karen Armstrong (93)
Early Religions often placed women at the centre and female priesthood were found throughout Middle East about 6000 years ago.
From monotheistic Religions which formed 4000 years ago it gave way to patriarchy through belief in a one supreme Male God.
Nawal El Sadawi (1980)
Argues that Religion is not direct cause of subordination.
It is a result of patriarchal forms of society coming though few thousands of years ago.
Patriarchy thus began to influence and reshape Religion.
WOODHEAD: RELIGIOUS FEMINISMSome Muslim women choose to wear a hijab to escape confines of home and enter into education and employment.
Hijab is a symbol of liberation which enables them to enter public sphere without losing their culture and history,
Position of women are changing such as new form of Priesthood in Christianity.

　Women have fewer rights than men Decision making and dress codes. Some Religions legitimises women’s domestic Male God and Prophets.Jean Holm (94) describes this as devaluation of women in contemporary Segregated. Taboos that regard menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth as a pollution. CAPITALIST EXPLOIT WORKING CLASS COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS OF RELIGIONDurkheim sees Religion as the source of intellectual or cognitive capacities- our ability to reason and think conceptually.
Religion is the origin of the concepts and categories needed for reasoning, understanding the world and communicating.
Provides basic categories such as time, space and causation.
The division of tribes into clans giving humans their first notion of classification.
Durkheim- Religion is the origin of human thought, reason and science.
Warsley (1956) - Totenism- no sharp divison between the sacred and profane