Theories of Religion - Conservative Force

Question 1

Functionalism & Religion (Key thinkers)

Answer 1

> Durkheim (Sacred & Profane, Totemism, Collective Conscience & Cognitive Functions)

> Malinowski (Psychological Functions)

> Parsons (Values and meaning)

> Bellah ( Civil Religion as Functional Alternative)

Question 2

General Functionalist view of Religion

Answer 2

> Religion plays a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and solidarity.

Question 3

Durkheim (Sacred & Profane)

Answer 3

The sacred are things set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe, fear and wonder, with taboos and prohibitions.

The profane are ordinary things that have no special significance.

Question 4

Durkheim (Totemism & Rituals)

Answer 4

> Totems of the aborigines group (e.g. animals & plants with magical qualities) symbolises the clan’s identity.

> Worship of the totem/rituals group creates social solidarity actually worshipping society.

Question 5

Collective Conscience

Answer 5

Making cooperation possible (thinking as one), without these society would disintegrate.

Question 6

Malinowski & 2 Psychological Functions

Answer 6

> Canoe magic helps cope with stress which could undermine social solidarity

>

At times of crisis
>

When the outcome is uncertain (e.g. sea fishing)

Question 7

Malinowski (role of religion in times of crisis e.g. birth & death)

Answer 7

> At death, funerals reinforce solidarity, idea of heaven gives people comfort

> At birth people get baptised, gives idea of protection by god, so gives security.

Question 8

Malinowski & Uncertain Outcomes

Answer 8

> e.g. Trobriand Islanders took part in Lagoon & Ocean fishing

Lagoon: Safe & unpredictable = no ritual
Ocean: Dangerous & uncertain, so used rituals for safe journey, gives sense of control, eases tensions & reinforces solidarity

Question 9

Briefly outline Parsons functions of religion

Answer 9

Answers to life’s big ultimate questions that could undermine commitment to society’s values

Question 10

Parsons (religion answers life’s big ultimate questions)

Answer 10

> e.g. purpose of life, afterlife, why good people suffer

> Evil defended as test rewarded in heaven

> Helps people cope with adversity maintains social solidarity.

Question 11

Bellah (Civil Religion)

Answer 11

> Creates social solidarity in US, in a way individual religions can’t.

> e.g. loyalty to nation, expressed by symbols & beliefs e.g. oath of allegiance to the flag

> Sacralises US way of life, binds different people together from different backgrounds

> Unlike churches, only for some Americans

Question 12

Postmodernist Criticisms of Durkheim

Answer 12

> No longer applicable, society more diverse & fragmented.

> Religion no longer binds everyone, no longer a shared value system, we now have individual value systems.

Question 13

Marxism (3 Key thinkers)

Answer 13

Marx (Opium of Masses)
Marx (Ideological Weapon)
Lenin (Spirtual Gin)

Question 14

General Marxist view on Religion

Answer 14

> Justifies exploitation & inequality, aiding the ruling class
In a classless society there is no need for religion and it will disappear.

Question 15

Marx view on Religion as an Opium of the Masses

Answer 15

> Dulls pain of exploitation, form of consolation - afterlife, cushions pain of oppression.

> Temporary and achieved with rituals in the same way that temporary comfort is achieved by taking opium.

Question 16

False class consciousness

Answer 16

Distorted view of reality so you are unaware of your exploitation, stops poor trying to change position.

Question 17

Marx (Religion is a ideological weapon through promise of an afterlife)

Answer 17

> Religion promises escape from suffering, with promises of salvation in afterlife.

> So the poor are more likely to put up with exploitation, this creates false class consciousness

Question 18

How does Marx believe religion is a ideological weapon through the idea of supernatural intervention?

Answer 18

> Gives false reality if you pray hard enough, God may change your situation, maintains bourgeois (ruling class) dominance.

Question 19

How does Marx believe Religion is an ideological weapon through justification of unequal social hierarchy?

Answer 19

> Rulers have been chosen by God this is part of God’s plan, so shouldn’t be questioned, as power has been divinely obtained.

> Makes disobedience sinful & challenge to God’s authority.

Question 20

What is Lenin’s idea of religion as a spiritual gin?

Answer 20

> Bourgeoisie use religion as spiritual gin to confuse them

> And stop working class overthrowing them, keeping them in a mystical fog to hide reality.

Question 21

How do Neo-Marxists criticise Marxists

Answer 21

Gramsci, Maduro see certain forms of religion as assisting, not hindering the development of class consciousness e.g. Liberation Theology

Question 22

General feminist view on Religion

Answer 22

Patriarchal institutions & ideologies perpetuates inequality, legitimates women’s subordination.

Question 23

Examples of Patriarchy in Religion

Answer 23

> Religious Figures
Religious Laws & Customs
Reinforcing Women’s Role
Portrayal of Women in Sacred Texts
Places of Worship

Question 24

Religious Figures - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

Answer 24

In monotheistic religions all gods & prophets, imams, priests are male.
Holy books focus mainly on male activities, written for men by men.

Question 25

Portrayal of Women in Sacred Texts - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

Answer 25

Eve portrayed negatively persuading Adam to eat forbidden fruit.

Question 26

Places of Worship - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

Answer 26

• Women segregated from men e.g. in mosques.
• In Islam women can’t read Quran whilst menstruating, Jews can’t read from the Torah at all.

Question 27

Religious Laws & Customs - Evidence of Patriarchy in Religion

Answer 27

Men can have 4 wives in Islam
In Christanity women seen as men’s property
In Iran women flogged for dress-code violations or stoned for adultery.

Question 28

El Saadawi

Answer 28

Culture is oppressive, not religion

Question 29

Woodhead (Hijab & Male Gaze)

Answer 29

> Seen as symbol of oppression by men

> But actually resistance to oppression, due to protection from male gaze

Question 30

Changing role of women in religion

Answer 30

> Church of England now ⅕ of priests are female

> Reform Judaism & Sikhism allow female priests.

Question 31

How can Religion be seen as a conservative force?

Answer 31

Keeps things as they are, gives stability & social order, maintains beliefs on running of society, preserves the status quo.

Question 32

Theories seeing religion as conservative force

Answer 32

Functionalism
Marxism
Radical Feminism