THEORIES OF
RELIGION
Functional definitions
Theses define religion in terms of the social or psychological functions that it
performs for individuals.
Durkheim defined religion as ‘a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to
sacred things...’
This shows Durkheim sees religion as a combination of belief and practices. The
‘sacred’ part makes religion special and not like the mundane things in the
world. Religion can unite and divide people at the same time.
Includes a wide range of beliefs
Tends to include things people won't agree as religious e.g., nationalism
Some would argue science has replaced religion regarding fundamental
questions
Substantive definitions
Looks at what the religion is rather than what it does. Weber defined religion as a
belief in a superior power.
Based on western monotheistic beliefs and are too narrow
Social constructionist definitions
An interpretivist view which focuses on how members of society define religion
themselves. Argues that it is not possible to produce a single universal definition
of religion.
Their approach makes it impossible to generalise about the nature of
religion
,Functionalism Overview
Sees society as an organism, with basic needs that must be met to survive
Different institutions perform different functions to contribute to
maintaining the social system
What makes order possible is the existence of value consensus - shared
norms and values
Durkheim
Key feature of religion is the fundamental distinction between the sacred
(inspires feelings of awe) and profane (has no special significance) found
in all religions.
Emphasises the importance of sacred symbols as they all perform the
essential function of uniting believers and represents societies' collective
conscience.
He looked at the Arunta clan which consist of bands of kin who come
together to worship a sacred totem that symbolises the clan’s origin and
identity. The totem inspires feeling of awe as it represents the power of
the group in which the members are dependent on.
For Durkheim, when clan members worship their totemic animal, they are
worshiping society.
Religion makes individuals feel part of something which is greater than
themselves.
Durkheim's theory is harder to apply to large scale societies where religion
may be in conflict.
Postmodernists argue that his ideas can't be applied to contemporary
society because increasing diversity has fragmented the collective
conscience.
Malinowski
Suggests religion performs psychological functions for individuals
Religion helps us deal with unexpected, uncontrollable events
Help individuals deal with the stresses that come with significant life
events, such as birth, death, marriage, and puberty.
Parsons
Parsons thought religion created a feeling of collective consciousness even
in those who were not religious, as the societal norms and values creating
social cohesion were often based on religious traditions.
People used religion as a 'mechanism of adjustment' in times of difficulty
and meaninglessness
Evaluating the functionalist theory of religion
Shows how religion impacts both society and the individual.
We have evidence that people turn to religion in times of stress and crisis,
like 9/11.
, Often, religion is at the heart of social conflict. For example, Northern
Ireland experienced terror and violence because of religious differences.
Religion served to promote conflict there, instead of providing peace
Increasing secularisation suggests that religion is not the social glue it
once was.
Marxism Overview
Marxists identified two key functions of religion
1. Religion and Ideology – the ruling class uses religion to oppress the
working class
2. Religion and Alienation – it is used by the working class to cushion the
effects of oppression
Religion as a conservative force
Lenin: The Ruling Class use religion to manipulate the proletariat by
creating a fog which obscures reality and therefore makes them believe
that there is no way out. (false consciousness)
Religion Legitimates the power of the dominant class by making their
position divinely ordained e.g., the King is God's representative
Workers are alienated because they don't own what they produce and
have no control. This dehumanises them so they turn to religion as a form
of consolation for their exploitation.
The ruling class controls the production and distribution of ideas in
society, through institutions such as the church, the education system and
the media
Evaluation
Ignores positive functions of religion, such as psychological adjustments to
misfortune. Neo - Marxists see certain forms of religion as assisting not
hindering the development of class consciousness
Secularisation - Religion seems to have declined in many Western
societies, suggesting it is no longer needed to maintain ruling class power.
Feminist Criticisms - Religion acts to preserve male, patriarchal power, not
ruling class power. Marxists ignore gender and inequality.
Engels and Neo-Marxists views on religion as a radical force
Religion plays an active role in bringing about revolutionary social change.
He argued that Christianity originated as a way of coping with exploitation
among oppressed groups.
However, it has become a source of resistance to the oppressors and a
force for change - this can turn into political movements.
RELIGION
Functional definitions
Theses define religion in terms of the social or psychological functions that it
performs for individuals.
Durkheim defined religion as ‘a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to
sacred things...’
This shows Durkheim sees religion as a combination of belief and practices. The
‘sacred’ part makes religion special and not like the mundane things in the
world. Religion can unite and divide people at the same time.
Includes a wide range of beliefs
Tends to include things people won't agree as religious e.g., nationalism
Some would argue science has replaced religion regarding fundamental
questions
Substantive definitions
Looks at what the religion is rather than what it does. Weber defined religion as a
belief in a superior power.
Based on western monotheistic beliefs and are too narrow
Social constructionist definitions
An interpretivist view which focuses on how members of society define religion
themselves. Argues that it is not possible to produce a single universal definition
of religion.
Their approach makes it impossible to generalise about the nature of
religion
,Functionalism Overview
Sees society as an organism, with basic needs that must be met to survive
Different institutions perform different functions to contribute to
maintaining the social system
What makes order possible is the existence of value consensus - shared
norms and values
Durkheim
Key feature of religion is the fundamental distinction between the sacred
(inspires feelings of awe) and profane (has no special significance) found
in all religions.
Emphasises the importance of sacred symbols as they all perform the
essential function of uniting believers and represents societies' collective
conscience.
He looked at the Arunta clan which consist of bands of kin who come
together to worship a sacred totem that symbolises the clan’s origin and
identity. The totem inspires feeling of awe as it represents the power of
the group in which the members are dependent on.
For Durkheim, when clan members worship their totemic animal, they are
worshiping society.
Religion makes individuals feel part of something which is greater than
themselves.
Durkheim's theory is harder to apply to large scale societies where religion
may be in conflict.
Postmodernists argue that his ideas can't be applied to contemporary
society because increasing diversity has fragmented the collective
conscience.
Malinowski
Suggests religion performs psychological functions for individuals
Religion helps us deal with unexpected, uncontrollable events
Help individuals deal with the stresses that come with significant life
events, such as birth, death, marriage, and puberty.
Parsons
Parsons thought religion created a feeling of collective consciousness even
in those who were not religious, as the societal norms and values creating
social cohesion were often based on religious traditions.
People used religion as a 'mechanism of adjustment' in times of difficulty
and meaninglessness
Evaluating the functionalist theory of religion
Shows how religion impacts both society and the individual.
We have evidence that people turn to religion in times of stress and crisis,
like 9/11.
, Often, religion is at the heart of social conflict. For example, Northern
Ireland experienced terror and violence because of religious differences.
Religion served to promote conflict there, instead of providing peace
Increasing secularisation suggests that religion is not the social glue it
once was.
Marxism Overview
Marxists identified two key functions of religion
1. Religion and Ideology – the ruling class uses religion to oppress the
working class
2. Religion and Alienation – it is used by the working class to cushion the
effects of oppression
Religion as a conservative force
Lenin: The Ruling Class use religion to manipulate the proletariat by
creating a fog which obscures reality and therefore makes them believe
that there is no way out. (false consciousness)
Religion Legitimates the power of the dominant class by making their
position divinely ordained e.g., the King is God's representative
Workers are alienated because they don't own what they produce and
have no control. This dehumanises them so they turn to religion as a form
of consolation for their exploitation.
The ruling class controls the production and distribution of ideas in
society, through institutions such as the church, the education system and
the media
Evaluation
Ignores positive functions of religion, such as psychological adjustments to
misfortune. Neo - Marxists see certain forms of religion as assisting not
hindering the development of class consciousness
Secularisation - Religion seems to have declined in many Western
societies, suggesting it is no longer needed to maintain ruling class power.
Feminist Criticisms - Religion acts to preserve male, patriarchal power, not
ruling class power. Marxists ignore gender and inequality.
Engels and Neo-Marxists views on religion as a radical force
Religion plays an active role in bringing about revolutionary social change.
He argued that Christianity originated as a way of coping with exploitation
among oppressed groups.
However, it has become a source of resistance to the oppressors and a
force for change - this can turn into political movements.
