Religion creates and maintains social solidarity. It unites believers into a single community
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Distinguish between the 'profane' and the 'sacred' with examples
The sacred are things that are set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe and wonder such as the Menorah. The profane are things that have no special significance and are ordinary and mundane such as a candle used for light
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Describe Durkheim's study of the Arunta
The tribe came together to worship and perform rituals around their sacred totem pole. The totem symbolised the clan's identity and reinforced their solidarity. Durkheim argued they are essentially worshiping society itself
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What does Maliowski argue?
Religion performs psychological functions for individual, helping them to cope with emotional stress that could undermine social solidarity
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In what two situations does religion perform a key psychological function?
When the outcome is important but uncontrollable and uncertain and at times of crisis. Both of these can be applied to 9/11
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According to Parsons, what two functions does religion play?
It creates and reinforces society's norms and values by making them sacred which promotes value consensus. Religion is also the primary source of meaning. It provides answers and helps people to adjust to tragic events
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What is civil religion?
A belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself
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How is America a civil religion according to Bellah?
The 3 Fs: Faith, family and flag.
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Give two criticisms of Functionalism
It is too optimistic and ignores the negative aspects of religion like oppression and violence. It ignores religion as a source of division and conflict. When there are many religions it is hard to see how it unites people
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According to Marx, what function does religion have?
It is an ideology that distorts people's perception to serve the ruling class
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Why is religion an ideological weapon?
It justifies the suffering of the poor as something that is God given and inevitable and misleads the poor into believing they will be rewarded in heaven, creating false class consciousness
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How does the Hindu Caste System justify social inequality?
People are born into a predetermined 'caste' in society
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Why is religion the consequence of alienation?
Under Capitalism, workers do not own the goods they produce, have no control over the production process and no freedom to express themselves as creative human beings
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In what way is religion an opiate?
It dulls the pain of exploitation and masks the underlying problem of alienation
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What did Lenin mean when he described religion as a 'spiritual gin'?
It is addictive, a short time solution, blurs the vision of the proletariat and keeps them less focused on their pain
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Give two criticisms of Marxism
Postmodernists argue Marxism is outdated - the oppressed turn to the mass media or internet. Neo-Marxists argue religion can promote class consciousness e.g. Liberation Theology
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How do feminists view religion?
Religion is patriarchal and perpetuates gender based inequalities and legitimates female subordination
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Give four examples of institutional sexism and explain
Organisations are male dominated: Catholicism forbid female priests. Places of worship segregate the sexes: Women are seated behind screens. Sacred texts feature the doings of male prophets. Religious laws and customs give women fewer rights
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What do feminists argue regarding Eve and Lilth?
Anti-female stereotypes are reflected in sacred texts e.g. Eve caused the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Lilth, the orginal Eve, was written out of the bible when she refused to 'serve' Adam
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What does El Saadawi argue?
Religion is not the direct cause of female subordination but a response to a general rise in patirarchy
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What does Linda Woodhead argue?
Religion can be empowering for women because there are religious forms of feminism. The hijab can symbolise a resistance to oppression and allow women to enter the public sphere without losing their culture or history (liberation)
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What are substantive definitions?
Exclusive - They focus on the content of religious belief and conform to a widespread view of religion. There is a Western bias as they exclude religions such as Buddhism with no belief in a God
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What are functional definitions?
Inclusive - The social/psychological functions religion performs for individuals. It includes a wide range of diverse beliefs and practices
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Distinguish between the 'profane' and the 'sacred' with examples
Back
The sacred are things that are set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe and wonder such as the Menorah. The profane are things that have no special significance and are ordinary and mundane such as a candle used for light
Card 3
Front
Describe Durkheim's study of the Arunta
Back
Card 4
Front
What does Maliowski argue?
Back
Card 5
Front
In what two situations does religion perform a key psychological function?
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