Civil religion Evaluation Functionalism linked to religion
- America, despite this so-called unity, is still widely divided, undergoing numerous
severe social conflicts every year. There is a sense of community amongst people and they are brought together.
- Christianity as a religion is still highly important to lots of Americans. The New There is a sense of
Value consensus/social
Christian Right still possesses a lot of political power and influence. belonging amongst people.
solidarity
- The concept of ‘civil religion’ is arguably less applicable to other countries such as
the UK (except on occasions). We are usually less patriotic and religion has a larger Social/psychological
part in shared culture than we realise. Religion still tends to underpin British values, Reassurance/feeling of
being looked after/over support system
such as predominant heterosexuality, uniform in school, and the retained presence in
many faith schools.
Durkheim (focused
- Some people argue that ‘civil religion’ isn’t actual ‘religion’ in its Offers a sense of Courage/sense of
on society)
truest sense. protection purpose
Robert Bellah - -‘Civil religion’ doesn’t provide the individual
Civil religion Religion creates a ‘collective
psychological support that Parsons conscience’ - this creates shared
previously identified from religion. values and morals that we all follow.
This is a modern extension to the functionalist
theory. Bellah argues that in countries such as
He suggested that as everyone is following the same
the USA where there’s no dominant religion, a
religion, it creates a sense of belonging and community.
sense of patriotism (a civil religion) is serving the Beliefs -
same purpose as religion.
Functionalist
It acts as a sacred canopy.
America is a nation of immigrants, from lots theory of
of different countries and cultures. religion
Religion helps to maintain stability in
Despite many differences between people, they all society.
have the pride of ‘being American’ in common. There is something eternal in religion,
Evaluation e.g. we will always have it as we need it.
(The president serves as a
Parsons (focused
‘God’, the constitution is a on the individual)
holy book, White House is a
In reality, religion Malinowski (focuses on
special building, national
causes conflict and individuals and society)
anthem being hymns, etc.)
wars in many cases,
such as the Israel He believed that religion is really important for
Studied the Trobriand Island individuals as it serves a psychological function.
Palestine situation. fishermen/islanders.
Secularisation; not all people or many at
all are religious today in comparison to Despite being a tiny, undeveloped community
the past. The larger demographics are they held religious ceremonies before the men It helps to allow people to cope with difficult
typically older people. had to go fishing in the dangerous open seas. scenarios and life events, and gives the
support, courage and reassurance.
It brought the community together and helped them cope
Religious pluralism; we are multicultural as with a scary, uncertain situation.
a society and there is not just one dominant
religion anymore.
- America, despite this so-called unity, is still widely divided, undergoing numerous
severe social conflicts every year. There is a sense of community amongst people and they are brought together.
- Christianity as a religion is still highly important to lots of Americans. The New There is a sense of
Value consensus/social
Christian Right still possesses a lot of political power and influence. belonging amongst people.
solidarity
- The concept of ‘civil religion’ is arguably less applicable to other countries such as
the UK (except on occasions). We are usually less patriotic and religion has a larger Social/psychological
part in shared culture than we realise. Religion still tends to underpin British values, Reassurance/feeling of
being looked after/over support system
such as predominant heterosexuality, uniform in school, and the retained presence in
many faith schools.
Durkheim (focused
- Some people argue that ‘civil religion’ isn’t actual ‘religion’ in its Offers a sense of Courage/sense of
on society)
truest sense. protection purpose
Robert Bellah - -‘Civil religion’ doesn’t provide the individual
Civil religion Religion creates a ‘collective
psychological support that Parsons conscience’ - this creates shared
previously identified from religion. values and morals that we all follow.
This is a modern extension to the functionalist
theory. Bellah argues that in countries such as
He suggested that as everyone is following the same
the USA where there’s no dominant religion, a
religion, it creates a sense of belonging and community.
sense of patriotism (a civil religion) is serving the Beliefs -
same purpose as religion.
Functionalist
It acts as a sacred canopy.
America is a nation of immigrants, from lots theory of
of different countries and cultures. religion
Religion helps to maintain stability in
Despite many differences between people, they all society.
have the pride of ‘being American’ in common. There is something eternal in religion,
Evaluation e.g. we will always have it as we need it.
(The president serves as a
Parsons (focused
‘God’, the constitution is a on the individual)
holy book, White House is a
In reality, religion Malinowski (focuses on
special building, national
causes conflict and individuals and society)
anthem being hymns, etc.)
wars in many cases,
such as the Israel He believed that religion is really important for
Studied the Trobriand Island individuals as it serves a psychological function.
Palestine situation. fishermen/islanders.
Secularisation; not all people or many at
all are religious today in comparison to Despite being a tiny, undeveloped community
the past. The larger demographics are they held religious ceremonies before the men It helps to allow people to cope with difficult
typically older people. had to go fishing in the dangerous open seas. scenarios and life events, and gives the
support, courage and reassurance.
It brought the community together and helped them cope
Religious pluralism; we are multicultural as with a scary, uncertain situation.
a society and there is not just one dominant
religion anymore.
