Functionalism and Religion

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  • Created by: BWards18
  • Created on: 24-05-17 16:57
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  • Functionalism and Religion
    • Key Functions Of Religion
      • Psychological Function - Giving comfort to individuals
      • Intergrative Function - Binding Individuals to  society (social integration and cultural identity)
      • CosmologicalFunction - Religion helps explain our place in the world and links us to the spiritual world.
      • Social Control Function - Help[ing maintain order in society, e.g. 10 common dments.
      • Moral and Ethical Code - A sense of right and wrong, e.g. 10 ommanments
    • Theorists
      • Durkheim
        • Religion is a 'unified system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things - things set apart and forbidden.
        • Studied the Arunta Tribe -  the simplest form of religion.
        • The tribe worshipped a totem but in effect where worshipping society as it unites and reinforces social solidarity/belonging.
        • Durkheims key functions of religion
          • Stability and Cohesion - Shared religion binds people together
          • Social Identity - Gives people identity and social membership
          • Collective Conscience -  Unites people In moral ways
          • Socialisation and Social Control - Represents the value system in society
          • Meaning and purpose - Gives meaning and purpose to peoples lives
        • "In worshipping religion, mean are really worshipping society" - bringing people together (LATENT FUNCTION)
        • Scared things represent something powerful (society), uniting people together!
      • Malinowski
        • Sees religion as performing a PSYCHOLOGICAL ROLE - helping individuals cope with stress, problems and anxieties.
        • Religious ceremonies deal with crisis of life accompanied with rituals to reinforce faith and solidarity within society.
      • Parsons
        • Identifies two functions of religion:
          • Reinforces society's central values (consensus and stability)
          • Primary source of meaning and comfort for questions about life, death, suffering
        • Religion is one part of the cultural system which provides guidelines and standards, e.g. 10 commandments
        • Religion solves certain problems in life such as unforeseen events and uncertainity
      • Bellah
        • Religion unifies society ion a. ultimate-faitjh society - a "CIVIL RELIGION".
    • Criticisms
      • Can't explain social change. Religion can be used to challenge social order - e.g. Islamic Revolution
      • Religion can cause conflict , e.g. fundamentalism
      • Durkheim offers an inclusive view of religion and some things hints at may not be seen as scared

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