Functionalism on Beliefs

Religion distinguishes between the sacred and the profane: this creates value consensus.

Worshipping something sacred is like worshipping society.

Study of the aboriginal tribe in Australia found people worshipping Totems; this act brought the society together.

Studied Trobriand Islanders

found beliefs played 2 psychological roles;

• a coping mechanism (e.g rituals for hatching/matching and dispatching) 
•  During times of uncertainty (e.g when going dangerous ocean fishing).

Agreed with Malinowski, but added some more things.

Religion gives individuals a sense of meaning and answers the big questions in life.

Also, religion is a mechanism of adjustment (e.g praying for a job during unemployment)

this maintains social order.

Talks about 'civil religion'

In diverse societies (such as America), value consensus and social solidarity are maintained through civil religion. For example, pledging allegiance to America.