SOCIOLOGY
beliefs + religion
, BELIEFS - in the supernatural and/or incomprehensible powers (e.g. God) or sacred symbols (e.g. the Cross)
THEOLOGY - a set of teachings and beliefs
WHAT IS RELIGION? PRACTICE - rituals of ceremonies to express beliefs
INSTITUTIONS - some form of organisation of worshippers (e.g. churches)
CONSEQUENCES - a set of moral or ethical values to guide everyday behaviour
Substantive:
- Focuses on the belief in a supernatural power or God
- Exclusive - clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs.
- Western bias Social Constructionist:
- Widespread view of religion as belief in God - Focuses on how members of society define religion
However, defining religion in this way leaves no room for beliefs and - Takes an interpretivist approach, that focus on members of society
functions that perform similar functions to religion but don’t include themselves define religion.
God in their belief. These definitions are also accused of Western bias - Can not produce a universal definition
because they exclude religions such as Buddhism, which do not have However they don’t assume that religion always involve a belief in
the Western view of God. God or the supernatural, but the approach does show to get close
meanings people give to religion. But, it makes it impossible to
generalise about the nature of religion.
Functional:
- Focuses on social or psychological functions for an individual or
society
- Inclusive + no bias against non-Western religions.
+ Deeper meaning
- Suggests a football chant is a religion
- Impossible to generalise
However, just because an institution helps integrate individuals into
groups, this doesn’t make it religious, such as football.
, BELIEF SYSTEMS
Science Religion
Open System Popper: Scientific research is open to scrutiny, Able to adapt to social change
criticism and testing by others Herberg: May dilute beliefs to stay relevant -
known as internal secularisation
Closed System Kuhn: Science is based on a single paradigm Horton: It contains 'clauses' that prevent it in the
which is ridiculed if challenged, unless eyes of believers
undermined by evidence
Azande and Witchcraft: Case study by Evans-Pritchard
Polanyi: Beliefs are self-sustained as they have three devices
to undermine any contradictory evidence
1. Azande believe natural events are not coincidental
or by chance
1. Circularity - explaining religious ideas by using other
2. Misfortune is down to witchcraft
religious components
3. This prevents grudges and encourages neighbourly
2. Subsidiary explanations - religious leaders redirect
behaviour
focus when being challenged with some sort of
explanation that does not contradict the religion
E.g. westerners would believe a snake bit someone
3. Denial of legitimacy to rivals - reject rival beliefs to
because they were walking in the grass but the Azande
show followers that they are only possible answer
would argue someone cast a spell on the snake
beliefs + religion
, BELIEFS - in the supernatural and/or incomprehensible powers (e.g. God) or sacred symbols (e.g. the Cross)
THEOLOGY - a set of teachings and beliefs
WHAT IS RELIGION? PRACTICE - rituals of ceremonies to express beliefs
INSTITUTIONS - some form of organisation of worshippers (e.g. churches)
CONSEQUENCES - a set of moral or ethical values to guide everyday behaviour
Substantive:
- Focuses on the belief in a supernatural power or God
- Exclusive - clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs.
- Western bias Social Constructionist:
- Widespread view of religion as belief in God - Focuses on how members of society define religion
However, defining religion in this way leaves no room for beliefs and - Takes an interpretivist approach, that focus on members of society
functions that perform similar functions to religion but don’t include themselves define religion.
God in their belief. These definitions are also accused of Western bias - Can not produce a universal definition
because they exclude religions such as Buddhism, which do not have However they don’t assume that religion always involve a belief in
the Western view of God. God or the supernatural, but the approach does show to get close
meanings people give to religion. But, it makes it impossible to
generalise about the nature of religion.
Functional:
- Focuses on social or psychological functions for an individual or
society
- Inclusive + no bias against non-Western religions.
+ Deeper meaning
- Suggests a football chant is a religion
- Impossible to generalise
However, just because an institution helps integrate individuals into
groups, this doesn’t make it religious, such as football.
, BELIEF SYSTEMS
Science Religion
Open System Popper: Scientific research is open to scrutiny, Able to adapt to social change
criticism and testing by others Herberg: May dilute beliefs to stay relevant -
known as internal secularisation
Closed System Kuhn: Science is based on a single paradigm Horton: It contains 'clauses' that prevent it in the
which is ridiculed if challenged, unless eyes of believers
undermined by evidence
Azande and Witchcraft: Case study by Evans-Pritchard
Polanyi: Beliefs are self-sustained as they have three devices
to undermine any contradictory evidence
1. Azande believe natural events are not coincidental
or by chance
1. Circularity - explaining religious ideas by using other
2. Misfortune is down to witchcraft
religious components
3. This prevents grudges and encourages neighbourly
2. Subsidiary explanations - religious leaders redirect
behaviour
focus when being challenged with some sort of
explanation that does not contradict the religion
E.g. westerners would believe a snake bit someone
3. Denial of legitimacy to rivals - reject rival beliefs to
because they were walking in the grass but the Azande
show followers that they are only possible answer
would argue someone cast a spell on the snake
