Functionalist theory of religion

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Functionalist theory of religion

Advantages

  • Durkhein - Society is based on social harmony and social Cohesion. Therefore religion acts as a social glue and it is part of societies culture.
  • Durkheim - The sacred and Profane - Sacred = special to the group members. Profane = ordinary, unholy objects.
  • Durkheim (1912) - Totemism - Australia - Groups would worship their totem poles together in the group. It brought the group together and gave them a shared identity.
  • Durkheim - Religion is the origin of reasoning and understanding.
  • Malinowski - Psychological functions - Religion helps to cope with emotional stress. Eg a funeral helps to unite the family and friends of the lost one.
  • Parsons (1967) - Values and meanings - It gives humanity a primary source of meaning, it answers the ultimate question.
  • Bellah (1970) - Civil religion - Religion can unify society. Eg In America and Nazi Germany. People have pride in their country and show this through singing the worshipping the American flag, singing the national anthem and singing the pledge of allegiance.

Disadvantages

  • This is methodologically suspect as Durkheim provides no empirical evidence.
  • Wordley (1956) - There is no division between the sacred and profane. Many of the Totem clans share the same totem but may believe in different things.
  • It would be extremely hard to apply this theory to a large community. There would be disagreements and conflict may be caused.
  • Mestrovic (1997) - Postmodernist - Durkheims theory can not be applied to contemporary society as society is now to fragmented and diverse.
  • The functions of religion can only be met if a person is religious.
  • Functionalist see religion as a conservative fource, maintaining norms and values. Yet they fail to see how it also can cause major social change.
  • Religion can cause serious conflict between people and societies. Over time it has caused many wars and conflicts. Eg between the Catholic and Protestants and the Sunni and Shia.

Evaluation

Functionalists believe that religion helps to create social cohesion as it transfers shared norms and values throughout society. Religion also has many functions and it can help all people in many ways such as to cope with psychological stress and unseen traumas. Functionalists see religion as a conservative force that which preserves the values of society. 

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