Interpretivism and Religion
- Interpretivist approaches study the meanings and interpretations of people in order to
understand their behaviour
- They explore the way religion is used by followers to create meanings and interpretations
of the world
Name: BERGER
Concept: A universe of meaning, theodicy and a sacred canopy
- BERGER argues that religion provides what he calls a ‘universe of meaning’
- Universe of Meaning- a set of beliefs and values that helps people make sense of the world
and gives life some focus, order and meaning
- The universe of meaning provided by religion gives individuals a sense of meaning and
explanation in the face of a chaotic world
- Religion provides a theodicy
- Theodicy- religious framework which enables people to make sense of seemingly
inexplicable and fundamental questions about human existence
- BERGER sees religion as a kind of sacred canopy stretching over society, providing a shield
that protects people from the uncertainties, meaninglessness and pointlessness of life
Does religion still provide a universe of meaning and a sacred canopy?
- BERGER argues that in postmodern societies, religion is losing its role for most people as
the provider of a universe of meaning
- Reason, logic and science have largely replaced faith and superstition in people’s
consciousness as the means of understanding and making sense of the world
- In a media-saturated (BAUDRILLARD), globalised society, there is increasing diversity and
fragmentation of beliefs and lifestyles
- Religion is losing its validity as a universe of meaning and as a theodicy for human suffering
- BERGER suggests that the sacred canopy of religion has therefore been lost
Name: STARK and BAINBRIDGE
Concept: Religion as a compensator
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE see religion meeting the needs of individuals when their sense of
social order his disrupted by economic hardship, loneliness, grief and ill-health
- Argue that belief in God, religion and religious organisations provides a means for individuals
to make sense of and come to terms with such events
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE see religion acting as a general compensator
- General compensator- a belief that if individuals act in a particular way, they will eventually
be rewarded
- Providing hope for life after death is an important compensator, with the promise of future
rewards in an uncertain world
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE suggest that religion in some form or another will never disappear
as it provides answers to universal questions and offers general compensators meeting
universal human needs
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE suggest that religion, by acting as a compensator, is contributing to
the maintenance of stability in social life
- Interpretivist approaches study the meanings and interpretations of people in order to
understand their behaviour
- They explore the way religion is used by followers to create meanings and interpretations
of the world
Name: BERGER
Concept: A universe of meaning, theodicy and a sacred canopy
- BERGER argues that religion provides what he calls a ‘universe of meaning’
- Universe of Meaning- a set of beliefs and values that helps people make sense of the world
and gives life some focus, order and meaning
- The universe of meaning provided by religion gives individuals a sense of meaning and
explanation in the face of a chaotic world
- Religion provides a theodicy
- Theodicy- religious framework which enables people to make sense of seemingly
inexplicable and fundamental questions about human existence
- BERGER sees religion as a kind of sacred canopy stretching over society, providing a shield
that protects people from the uncertainties, meaninglessness and pointlessness of life
Does religion still provide a universe of meaning and a sacred canopy?
- BERGER argues that in postmodern societies, religion is losing its role for most people as
the provider of a universe of meaning
- Reason, logic and science have largely replaced faith and superstition in people’s
consciousness as the means of understanding and making sense of the world
- In a media-saturated (BAUDRILLARD), globalised society, there is increasing diversity and
fragmentation of beliefs and lifestyles
- Religion is losing its validity as a universe of meaning and as a theodicy for human suffering
- BERGER suggests that the sacred canopy of religion has therefore been lost
Name: STARK and BAINBRIDGE
Concept: Religion as a compensator
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE see religion meeting the needs of individuals when their sense of
social order his disrupted by economic hardship, loneliness, grief and ill-health
- Argue that belief in God, religion and religious organisations provides a means for individuals
to make sense of and come to terms with such events
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE see religion acting as a general compensator
- General compensator- a belief that if individuals act in a particular way, they will eventually
be rewarded
- Providing hope for life after death is an important compensator, with the promise of future
rewards in an uncertain world
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE suggest that religion in some form or another will never disappear
as it provides answers to universal questions and offers general compensators meeting
universal human needs
- STARK and BAINBRIDGE suggest that religion, by acting as a compensator, is contributing to
the maintenance of stability in social life
