perspectives on religion and definitions

?

Definitions of Religion

functionalist- look at the psychological functions religion serves such as answering the ultimate question on life according to Yinger

Durkheim says it helps with social intergration sharing values and norms

+ looks at the importance of religion and has a indivudual meaning to everyone

- ignores the negative imapcts religion causes (9/11) and is not a clear cut division line

substantive- a religion can be a belief in god or the supernatural

Weber defines it as a belief which cannot be explained scientifically

- could be western bias as doesn't include religions like Buddhism which do not have a religious belief in God

- reductionist

+ again provides a clear dividing line between religion and non religious beliefs

1 of 10

Continued....

Social Constructivist - the belief that it is impossible to define a single universal meaning due to many different interpretations

interested in how the different meanings are constructed

Aldridge- shows how scientology is considered as a religion even though some governments have tried to ban it

+ everyones beliefs are accounted for

- however it is really hard to classify and generalise to everyone due to the so many interpretations

2 of 10

Functionalist perspective on religion

sees it as very positive focusing on the psychological functions it provides

would  place religion as the head because all state of mind, it plays a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus order and social solidarity. This was according to Durkheim

he came up with the concept collective conscience-  where sacred symbols represent societies consciousness sharing values and norms. rituals help the community bind together making us feel part of something special

Toteism- Durkheim believed the essence of religion could be found by studying the simplest forms- Arunta society came together to perform rituals worship a sacred item of the totem pole reinforcing social soildarity

Sacred and Prophane- belief in sacreed and prophane was having a religious belief. Sacred- items wiht awe and wonder evoking powerful feelings. Prophane- ordinary objects no special significance

3 of 10

Continued....

Psychological Functions- Malinowski helps cope with emotional and stressful situations.

where the outcome is important but uncertain or at times of crisis

religion can help minimise the disruption, death is said to be the main reason for people haveig a religious belief due to the worry/ uncertainty it brings

Parsons- according to parsons it creates and legitamises central values and norms answering the ultimate question. Primary source of meaning

Civil Religion- Bellah interested in how religion can unify the whole of society e.g America believe they are the chosen nation by God which integrates society sharing various rituals and beliefs bringing the community together

4 of 10

Evaluating Functionalism

- fails to recognise the conflict religiom can cause e.g 9/11 and Northern Ireland

- Worsley- No division between the sacred and prophane, may apply to small scale so cannot generalise

- civil religion can only unify to some extent

- Mestrovic- post modern cant be applied to society today

5 of 10

Feminist perspective on religion

hints in patriarchal society in religion. This can be seen in scared texts, places of worship, religious laws and customs or even religious organisations

religious organisations are male dominated and Judaism and Catholic forbid female priests, Armstrong sees women exclusion as a form of marginalisation

sacred texts- God is male, written/interpreted by a male. Stories also often reflect anti female stereotypes e.g eve is the fall of humanity

places of worship- men are in more central positions and women are restricted in participation. There are alos taboos linked with females touching the qu'aran during menstruation

religious laws and customs- fewer women rights, doesnt allow freedom of bodies regulate and legitamise the womens role as a domestic carer

6 of 10

Continued....

woodhead- accepts that patriarchy is present in certain cases however sometimes there are religious forms of feminism. Women can wear the veil gaining respect and freedom and is by choice. although westerners see it as opppressive it is actually liberating as they are not judged for their looks but instead personality and achievement

Brusco- use the example of pentecostal groups empowering for some women where they can gain respect increasing power and status. Males can refrain from macho behaviour

Rinaldo- conservative movements supporting traditional teachings. women may find ways to further their interest. Typical of urban middle class women to join

Liberal protestant organisation- Quakers and Unitarians are commited to gender equality

women play leading roles since 1992 church of england has had female priests, since 2015 female bishops

7 of 10

Evaluating Feminism

Functionalist would criticise saying that they are failing to acknowledge the positve things religion brings to society

Marxists would also criticise because it fails to recognise the exploitation between social class and not just gender inequality

Criticising Brusco would be it only focuses on a very small religious group

Criticising Rinaldo is that it only accounts for the empowering of urban middle class women ignoring others

Finally, Woodhead only looks at the idea of the hijab to whether it opressive or liberating not acknowledging or comapring to other religions

8 of 10

Marxist perspective on religion

key beliefs- marxists see all societies as divided into 2 classes. They see religion as a feature only of class divided society as such there would be no such need for religion in classless society and it will dissapear

Religion as a ideology- a belief system which distorts peooples perceptions of reality in ways which serve the interest of ruling class

controls ideas in society through instituitions such as education religion.

religion operates as a idelogical weapon to justify suffering of poor as something inevitable. leads the poor into thinking suffering is favoured in the afterlife= false consciousness, distorted view of reality

lenin describes religion as the spiritual gin- ruling class try to manipulate the masses and keep them from attempting to overthrow the ruling class by creating a mystical fog.

it legitamises the power of the ruling

9 of 10

Continued....

Religion and Alienation- religion can cause people to become separated and losing control

workers are alienated because because they dont own what they produce and have no control over production no freedom to express their own nature.

religion is the opium to dull the pain and oppression with religion masking the issues

legitamises the suffering of poor and the privellaged ruling class

evaluation....

-ignores the positive functions that functionlists say religion serves

-althusser rejects the idea of alienation as it is unscientific based on a romantic idea

-feminists would say it fails to acknowledge the gender inequality and patriarchal religious society

10 of 10

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Sociology resources:

See all Sociology resources »See all Religion and beliefs resources »