Theories of Religion – Essay Plans
Outline and explain two functions of religion (10 marks)
Establish social solidarity:
For Durkheim, sacred religious symbols perform the function of uniting believers into a
single moral community.
For example, totem clan worship symbolises the clan’s origin and identity.
The shared totemic rituals serve to enforce the group’s solidarity and belonging.
For Durkheim, this worship is really a worship of society – although they themselves are
not aware of this fact.
However, Durkheim’s theory is arguably only applicable to small scale societies with a
single religion.
His theory may explain social integration within communities, but not the conflict
between them.
E.g. Northern Ireland.
Psychological functions – coping with emotional stress;
Malinowski argues that religion is a coping mechanism at times of life crisis.
For example, death marks major and disruptive changes in social groups.
Funeral rituals reinforce a feeling of collectiveness, unity and solidarity among survivors
to help them get through this tough time.
Religion effectively minimises the disruption.
However, critics argue that this view ignores the negative aspects of religion.
Feminists and Marxists would argue that it ignores how religion could be a source of
oppression to women and the poor.
, Theories of Religion – Essay Plans
Analyse ways in which religion can lead to social change (10 marks)
Social protest:
Religion inspires people into believing in one thing and push for change.
Mobilising public opinion.
For example, MLK and the black clergy provided meeting places and sanctuary from the
threat of white violence. Their rituals were a source of unity in the face of oppression.
Bruce argues the Black clergy were able to shame whites into changing the law by
appealing to their shared Christian values of equality.
Movement gained national support.
Also, channelling dissent – religion provides channels to express political dissent.
Funeral of MLK was a rallying point for the civil rights movement.
However, this doesn’t always work as shown in the case of the New Christian Right.
They aimed to mobilise opinion on taking America ‘back to god’ and make abortion,
homosexuality, gay marriage and divorce illegal.
Turning back on the liberalisation of American culture. This gained minimal support.
Economic change:
Can be a means of bringing about new economic changes – capitalism.
For example, Weber argues Calvinism brought about modern capitalism.
Their work ethic, imbedded in their belief, drove them to wealth by the most efficient &
rational means possible.
By not permitting themselves to squander it on luxuries, they re-invested, and their
business grew and prospered.
For weber – this is the very spirit of modern capitalism, the acquisition of more and
more money as an end in itself.
However, Tawney argues that technological changes, not religious ideas, caused the
birth of capitalism.
It was only after capitalism was established that the bourgeoisie adopted Calvinist
beliefs to legitimate their pursuit of economic gain.
Outline and explain two functions of religion (10 marks)
Establish social solidarity:
For Durkheim, sacred religious symbols perform the function of uniting believers into a
single moral community.
For example, totem clan worship symbolises the clan’s origin and identity.
The shared totemic rituals serve to enforce the group’s solidarity and belonging.
For Durkheim, this worship is really a worship of society – although they themselves are
not aware of this fact.
However, Durkheim’s theory is arguably only applicable to small scale societies with a
single religion.
His theory may explain social integration within communities, but not the conflict
between them.
E.g. Northern Ireland.
Psychological functions – coping with emotional stress;
Malinowski argues that religion is a coping mechanism at times of life crisis.
For example, death marks major and disruptive changes in social groups.
Funeral rituals reinforce a feeling of collectiveness, unity and solidarity among survivors
to help them get through this tough time.
Religion effectively minimises the disruption.
However, critics argue that this view ignores the negative aspects of religion.
Feminists and Marxists would argue that it ignores how religion could be a source of
oppression to women and the poor.
, Theories of Religion – Essay Plans
Analyse ways in which religion can lead to social change (10 marks)
Social protest:
Religion inspires people into believing in one thing and push for change.
Mobilising public opinion.
For example, MLK and the black clergy provided meeting places and sanctuary from the
threat of white violence. Their rituals were a source of unity in the face of oppression.
Bruce argues the Black clergy were able to shame whites into changing the law by
appealing to their shared Christian values of equality.
Movement gained national support.
Also, channelling dissent – religion provides channels to express political dissent.
Funeral of MLK was a rallying point for the civil rights movement.
However, this doesn’t always work as shown in the case of the New Christian Right.
They aimed to mobilise opinion on taking America ‘back to god’ and make abortion,
homosexuality, gay marriage and divorce illegal.
Turning back on the liberalisation of American culture. This gained minimal support.
Economic change:
Can be a means of bringing about new economic changes – capitalism.
For example, Weber argues Calvinism brought about modern capitalism.
Their work ethic, imbedded in their belief, drove them to wealth by the most efficient &
rational means possible.
By not permitting themselves to squander it on luxuries, they re-invested, and their
business grew and prospered.
For weber – this is the very spirit of modern capitalism, the acquisition of more and
more money as an end in itself.
However, Tawney argues that technological changes, not religious ideas, caused the
birth of capitalism.
It was only after capitalism was established that the bourgeoisie adopted Calvinist
beliefs to legitimate their pursuit of economic gain.
