Definitions of religion

The different types of definitions of religion

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  • Created by: Name24
  • Created on: 30-10-12 17:28
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  • What is religion?
    • Substantive definitions:Focus on the content or  substance of religious belief such as the belief in God or the supernatural.
      • Conform to a widespread view of religion as a belief in God.
      • Leaves no room for beliefs + practices that  do not involve the belief in God.
        • Conform to a widespread view of religion as a belief in God.
        • Western bias because religions such as Buddhism which do not have the western idea of God are excluded
    • Social  constructionist definitions: Take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion.
      • Don't assume that religion always involves a belief in God or the supernatural.
      • Doesn't assume that religion performs similar functions for everyone in society.
      • Approach allows them to get close to the meanings people themselves give to religion
      • Impossible to generalise about the nature of religion
    • Functional definitions:Define in terms of the social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society.
      • The definitions are inclusive
        • No bias against non-western religions
          • Just because an institution helps integrate individuals into groups it does not make it a religion.
      • No bias against non-western religions
        • Just because an institution helps integrate individuals into groups it does not make it a religion.

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