Theories of Religion
- Created by: Bethany Parsons
- Created on: 02-05-13 11:45
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- Theories of Religion
- definitions
- substantive
- focuses on the substance of religion, belief in a superior being or power, exclusive definition
- functional
- focuses the functions religion performs for society, psychological and social functions, inclusive definition
- social construct
- looks at individual definitions of religion, CAN'T have one definition, NEITHER inclusive or exclusive
- substantive
- Functionalism
- Religion maintains harmony
- Inhibits social change
- provides a positive function
- provides shared values = social solidarity
- Case Studies
- Durkheim - Totem pole
- Malinowski - canoe magic
- Parsons - stability to society, answers ulitmate questions
- Bellah - civil religion in America
- Evaluation
- ignores negative parts of religion
- ignores the conflict it causes and the oppression
- Religion can bring social change
- OUTDATED, except Bellah
- Marxism
- maintains social order
- negative force
- tool of social control - ideological state apparatus
- diverts attention from the real cause of pain (RC) to God
- promises a paradise, making life more bearable
- justifies social order by making you believe your position is inevitable
- Matthew 19:24
- Marx
- Religion is the opium of the people, acting like an opiate to dull the pain of oppression and exploitation
- dulls the pain, but doesnt stop the problem
- all societys would eventually evolve into a communist stae, NO use for religion
- Lenin
- Religion is a 'spiritual gin'
- An intoxicant handed out to the people, used to manipulate the WC and keep them from rebelling
- Religion is a 'spiritual gin'
- Evaluation
- ignores positive functions
- ignores religion bringing about social change
- based on assumption
- similar to religion, the capitalist state may not be always needed
- Feminsim
- reflects the inequalities between sexes, reinforcing patriachal ideas
- Evidence of partiachy
- Religious organisations
- Sacred Texts
- Religious laws and customs
- Places of Worship
- Religion in the past
- Armstrong (1993) early religions placed women at the centre
- Saadawi (1980) religion is not the direct cause. patriachal ideas reshaped religion
- Criticisms
- Woodhear (2002) not all religions are patriachal, women are using religion to free themselves e.g. Hijab
- definitions
- Evidence of partiachy
- Religious organisations
- Sacred Texts
- Religious laws and customs
- Places of Worship
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