Functionalism is concerned with the contribution religion makes to meeting the needs of society. For example, social solidarity, value consensus, harmony and integration.
Durkheim argued that in worshipping God, people were in fact worshipping society. Society is more important and powerful than the individual, just as God is. Religion reinforces the shared norms and values (collective conscience). It promotes social solidarity. Through acts of collective worship, society is strengthened. In addition, religion performs a function for the individual by making us feel part of something greater than ourselves.
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