Functionalist Theory of Religion

Created by: Najma2005
Created on: 30-09-23 08:28

Functionalist view of religion

Religion is a vital institution for maintaining social cohesion and social solidarity

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Durkheim view

Durkheim says the key feature of religion is a distinction between the scared and the profane not a belief in god or the supernatural

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What is the meaning of sacred?

Something holy or simply something that is worth awe or respect.

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What is the meaning of profane?

Something that is ordinary and mundane or has no significance.

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What tribe did Durkheim study?

He studied the Arunta tribe who were Australian aboriginals who worshipped a sacred totem.

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What did the totem symbolise?

The totem symbolised the tribes origin and identity.Rituals and worship symbolises social solidarity.

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What is a collective conscience?

Sacred symbols represent societies collective conscience which are shared norms values beliefs and knowledge that make cooperation possible.
Shared religious rituals reinforces collective conscience and binds individuals together.Religion makes us feel pa

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Evaluation of Durkheim theory...

1) Hard to apply to large scale societies it is better to apply it to smaller societies with a single religion.
2) There is no division of the sacred and the profane and different clans share the same totems.
3) Cant be applied to contemporary society - i

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Durkheim view

Back

Durkheim says the key feature of religion is a distinction between the scared and the profane not a belief in god or the supernatural

Card 3

Front

What is the meaning of sacred?

Back

Card 4

Front

What is the meaning of profane?

Back

Card 5

Front

What tribe did Durkheim study?

Back

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Functionalist Theory of Religion