2. THEORIES OF RELIGION
Beliefs in Society – A-Level Sociology
Abstract
This topic includes how the following theories/theorists view religion as a concept, Functionalism,
Marxism, Neo-Marxism, Max Weber, Steve Bruce, Feminism and Postmodernism
, Introduction
This topic covers a range of significant Sociological theories/theorists that discuss the role that religion plays within
society. Some have positive views of religion, whereas others focus on how it promotes certain ideologies that only
benefit powerful groups. Another debate within this topic is about how religion either prevents change from
happening or promotes it. For your convenience, the following table could act as a cheat sheet that should help you
clearly signpost the views of each theory.
Religion acts as a conservative force (prevents change) Religion can promote change
Functionalists – Positive view Max Weber – Neutral view
Marxists – Negative view Neo-Marxists – Neutral view
Feminists – Negative view Steve Bruce – Neutral view but generally critical of
mainstream religions
Postmodernists – Negative view of traditional religions – focus more on the development of New Religious
movements and New Age Movements
Functionalism
The theoretical debate with regards to the functions of religion, tend to focus on whether it acts as a force for social
change or maintains social stability. Functionalists have a structural view of society and believe that religion is a vital
institution that reinforces social order. They believe that religion acts to provide stability to society and therefore is a
conservative force, as it tends to maintain society as it is rather than encouraging change.
The sacred and the profane
Durkheim believed that the foundation of religious belief was not based on a belief in a supernatural power. Instead,
he believed that its main focus was to clearly differentiate between things that were sacred or profane in our
society.
Key definitions
Sacred – things that are special, have restricted access, inspire, invoke fear, have power and are associated
with rules and taboos
Profane – things that are ordinary, average, no special meaning or purpose.
Collective conscience through secondary socialisation
As with many of the social institutions (with the exception of the family), Functionalists believe that religion acts as
an agent of ‘Secondary socialisation’, in that it teaches its followers the norms and values of society. By performing
this function, religion reinforces the value consensus that underpins social order and social solidarity.
Through his study of the Australian Aborigines, Durkheim found that religion is based on Totemism. To a community,
their chosen sacred symbol represents themselves as a society along with a higher power that protects them.
Therefore, by worshiping their god, they are also celebrating their own society.
Durkheim believed that worship was a collective activity, rather than something that was conducted on an individual
level. He claimed that by worshipping together, religion provides its community with a ‘collective conscience’ as
they would have a shared understanding of the norms, values and beliefs that held their community together.
Essentially, religion according to Durkheim, is not a belief in god but is actually about the worship of your society
(Altruism). The relationship between the individual and their god is a metaphor for the relationship each individual
has with their own society, as the individual places society as more important than themselves in the same way that
those with religious belief place their god as sacred whereas the individual is seen as profane (average).
Furthermore, Parsons believed that, through the sacred texts, religion elevates the values of a society into ‘sacred
moral codes’. For example, the Ten Commandments in Christianity generally reflect UK law and culture. By
Beliefs in Society – A-Level Sociology
Abstract
This topic includes how the following theories/theorists view religion as a concept, Functionalism,
Marxism, Neo-Marxism, Max Weber, Steve Bruce, Feminism and Postmodernism
, Introduction
This topic covers a range of significant Sociological theories/theorists that discuss the role that religion plays within
society. Some have positive views of religion, whereas others focus on how it promotes certain ideologies that only
benefit powerful groups. Another debate within this topic is about how religion either prevents change from
happening or promotes it. For your convenience, the following table could act as a cheat sheet that should help you
clearly signpost the views of each theory.
Religion acts as a conservative force (prevents change) Religion can promote change
Functionalists – Positive view Max Weber – Neutral view
Marxists – Negative view Neo-Marxists – Neutral view
Feminists – Negative view Steve Bruce – Neutral view but generally critical of
mainstream religions
Postmodernists – Negative view of traditional religions – focus more on the development of New Religious
movements and New Age Movements
Functionalism
The theoretical debate with regards to the functions of religion, tend to focus on whether it acts as a force for social
change or maintains social stability. Functionalists have a structural view of society and believe that religion is a vital
institution that reinforces social order. They believe that religion acts to provide stability to society and therefore is a
conservative force, as it tends to maintain society as it is rather than encouraging change.
The sacred and the profane
Durkheim believed that the foundation of religious belief was not based on a belief in a supernatural power. Instead,
he believed that its main focus was to clearly differentiate between things that were sacred or profane in our
society.
Key definitions
Sacred – things that are special, have restricted access, inspire, invoke fear, have power and are associated
with rules and taboos
Profane – things that are ordinary, average, no special meaning or purpose.
Collective conscience through secondary socialisation
As with many of the social institutions (with the exception of the family), Functionalists believe that religion acts as
an agent of ‘Secondary socialisation’, in that it teaches its followers the norms and values of society. By performing
this function, religion reinforces the value consensus that underpins social order and social solidarity.
Through his study of the Australian Aborigines, Durkheim found that religion is based on Totemism. To a community,
their chosen sacred symbol represents themselves as a society along with a higher power that protects them.
Therefore, by worshiping their god, they are also celebrating their own society.
Durkheim believed that worship was a collective activity, rather than something that was conducted on an individual
level. He claimed that by worshipping together, religion provides its community with a ‘collective conscience’ as
they would have a shared understanding of the norms, values and beliefs that held their community together.
Essentially, religion according to Durkheim, is not a belief in god but is actually about the worship of your society
(Altruism). The relationship between the individual and their god is a metaphor for the relationship each individual
has with their own society, as the individual places society as more important than themselves in the same way that
those with religious belief place their god as sacred whereas the individual is seen as profane (average).
Furthermore, Parsons believed that, through the sacred texts, religion elevates the values of a society into ‘sacred
moral codes’. For example, the Ten Commandments in Christianity generally reflect UK law and culture. By
