Functionalist theory to religion

Key ideas;

• each institution performs certain functions to maintain the social system by meeting a need
• societies most basic need is social order and solidarity
• for durkheim the key feature of religions is a fundamental distinction between the sacred and the profane
  • the sacred are things set apart and forbidden, inspiring feeling of awe, fear and wonder with taboos and inhibitions
  • the profane are ordinary things with no special significance
• durkheim argues that something creates powerful feelings in believers because they are symbols representing something of great power, and this thing can only be society
• when people worship…