beliefs in society

Durkheim-functionalist theories of religion

religious institutions play an important part in maintaining value consensus, order and solidarity

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Durkheim-the sacred and profane

Sacred- things set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe, fear and wonder Profane- ordinary things that have no special significance

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Durkheim-totemism

Arunta- bands of kin come together to perform ritual worship of a sacred totem. The totem symbolises the clans identity, a maintains the clans solidarity. However Durkheim did not carry out the research himself

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Durkheim- the collective conscience

collective conscience- the shared norms, values and beliefs that make cooperation between individuals possible

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Durkheim- cognitive functions of religion

religion provides the concepts and catergories we need for understanding the world and communicating with others

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Durkheim and Mauss

religion provides basic catergories such as space,time and causation

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Malinowski- psychological functions

Trobriand Islanders- lagoon and ocean fishing- ocen fishing is dangerous therefore its accompanied by 'canoe magic'- rituals to ensure a safe expedition

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Malinowski- times of life crisis

Events such as birth, puberty, marriage, puberty and especially death are potentially disruptive changes. He argues death is the main reason for the existence of religious belief.

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Parsons- values and meanings

creates and legitimates basic norms and values. Also provides a source of meaning, answering ultimate questions

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Bellah- civil religion

religion unifies society, especially a multi faith society like America. This is due to the civil religion. It binds together Americans from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds

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Marx- religion as ideology

religion is an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimise the suffering of the poor. Religion misleads the poor into believing they will be rewarded in the afterlife

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Lenin- religion as ideology

describes religion as 'spiritual gin' that confuses the working class and keeps them in their place. the ruling class use religion to prevent the poor from overthrowing capitalism

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Marx- alienation

religion is a product of alienation- becoming separated from or losing control over something that one has produced. Religion acts an an opiate to dull the pain of exploitation(opium of the people)

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Armstrong- examples of patriarchy

sees womens exclusion from the priesthoods of most religion as evidence of marginalisation

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Woodhead- Religious feminism

there are some 'religious forms of feminism'- ways women use religion to gain greater freedom and respect

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Rinaldo- religious feminism

women may use religion to gain social status and respect for their roles within the home and family

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Weber- religion as a force for change

calvanists lead an ascetic lifestyle shunning all luxury, working long hours and practising rigorous self-discipline

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Weber- Hinduism and confucianism

calvinist beliefs were only one of capitalisms causes. Certain material or economic factors were necessary

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Bruce- religion and social protest

American Civil rights movement and New christian right

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Bruce- New Christian right

NCR has been largely unsuccessful as its never had the support of more than 15% of the population

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Bloch-principle of hope

religion has a dual character, religion inhibits change but can also encourage protest and rebellion. Religion is an expression of the 'principle of hope'

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Worsley- Millenarian movements

Cargo cults- millenarian movements in Melanesia, where islanders felt deprived when 'cargo' arrived (meant for the natives) but was diverted by the whites for themselves

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Gramsci- religion and hegemony

hegemony- ideological domination or leadership of society- the way the ruling class are able to use religion to maintain control

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Billings- religion and class conflict

coalminers and textile workers- both were working-class and evangelical Protestant, but the miners were much more militant, struggling for better conditions

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Crockett- secularisation in Britain

1851- 40% or more of the adult population attended church on sundays.

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Wilson- secularisation in Britain

Western societies have been undergoing a long term process of secularisation where religious beliefs, practices and institutions lose social significance

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Bruce- Religious institutions today

The influence of religion as a social institution is declining. Religion once affected every aspect of life but now is regulated to the private sphere of individual and family

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Weber- Rationalisation

rational ways of thinking and acting replace religious ones

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Parson- structural differentiation

a process that occurs with industrialisation as many specialised institutions develop to carry out the different functions previously performed by a single institution

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bruce- structural differentiation

religion has become separated from wider society and privatised in the home and family

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Wilson- social and cultural diversity

in pre-industrial society, local communities shared religious rituals that expressed their shared values, but industrialisation destroys these stable local communities and so destroys religions base

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Berger- religious diversity

another cause of secularisation is the trend towards religious diversity. Alternative versions of religion enable people to question all of them and this erodes the absolute certainties of traditional religion

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beliefs in society

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