THEORIES OF RELIGION-THREE DEFINITIONS

THEORIES OF RELIGION: THREE DEFINITIONS TO DEFINE RELIGION:

There are three definitions to define religion. There are Substantive, Function and Social constructionist.

Substantive: focus on the substance and content of belief. For example WEBER says that religion involves belief and god and the supernatural. Anything that is above nature. In addition they draw a clear line between religious and non religious beliefs. Exclusive. Furthermore they have western bias as they ignore the beliefs and practises that perform similar functions to religion but do not involve belief in god. For example Buddhism.

Functional: they look at the social and psychological functions…