Functionalism - The Role and Purpose of Religion

• He used secondary data gathered by anthropologists who studied Aboriginal Australians.
• He believed that all religions are based on the division of the sacred and the profane.
• He also believed that religion is based on sacred symbols and what they represent.
• "Totemism" = based on the worship of symbols/totems.
• All religions have a collective conscience.
• The collective conscience is the rejection of individualism and promotion of social solidarity.

• Theory may only apply to small-scale societies with a single religion.
• May explain social integration within communities, but not the conflict between them.

Worsley (1956)

• No sharp division between sacred and profane.
• Different clans share the same totems.
• Even if Durkheim is right, it doens't mean he has discovered the essence of all other religions.

Mestrovic (1997) Postmodernist

• The ideas cannot be applied to a contemporary society because increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscienc; so there is no longer and single shared value system.

• Date from small literate societies.
• Anthropologist in Papa New Guinea.
• Sees religion as reinforcing social norms, values, and social solidarity.
• Sees religion as concerned with the specific areas of life. (Not all areas).
• Sees religion as relating to areas of emotional stress that threaten social solidarity.
  • Death, birth, marriage, and puberty.
• Prayer provides a sense of confidence and control.

• Religion unifies society, especially multi-faith USA.
• USA is unified by a "civil religion".

• Human action is directed and controlled by norms provided by the social system.
• Cultural system gives guidelines.
  • For example, the Ten Commandments.
• Having general principles and moral beliefs gives consensus.
• When problems occur, they fall into two categories.
  • Being hit with unforeseen circumstances.
  • Uncertainty.
• Everything can be given meaning from religion. Overall it creates stability.

Emphasises positives while ignoring dysfunctional aspects.

Glock and Stark = history of Christianity is full of bloodshed and murder.

Ignores division in religious communities, for example, Catholics and Protestants (Christians) in Ireland