8 Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is civil religion according to Bellah?
The belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself, like ‘the American way of life’.
It integrates society in a way that different churches and religions in America can’t.
How does Malinowski view the role of religion in social solidarity?
Religion promotes social solidarity by helping people cope with emotional stress in situations such as lagoon fishing and ocean fishing.
What is the difference between ocean fishing and lagoon fishing according to Malinowski?
Ocean fishing involves rituals and ‘canoe magic’ due to its danger and uncertainty, while lagoon fishing is safer and more predictable.
How can religion assist during a life crisis according to Malinowski?
Religion provides answers that enable individuals to adjust to adverse events and maintain stability.
What does Durkheim mean by the sacred and the profane?
The sacred refers to things special due to a higher power, while the profane refers to ordinary things with no special meaning.
What did Durkheim study in relation to totemism?
He studied the Arunta Aboriginal tribe, which worshipped a sacred totem representing the clan’s origins and identity.
What is the collective conscience according to Durkheim?
It is the shared norms, values, beliefs, and knowledge that make social living possible, reinforced by regular religious rituals.
What is Worsley’s criticism of totemism?
He argues there is no evidence for a sharp division between the sacred and the profane, and that different clans share the same totems.
What do postmodernists criticize about Durkheim’s view?
They argue it cannot be applied to contemporary society due to increasing diversity that fragments the collective.
What is the ‘stained glass ceiling’ according to Armstrong?
Women are blocked from obtaining senior positions within religious organizations, with many religions forbidding women from being priests.
How are women marginalized in religious customs according to Holm?
Women often pray behind men or screens, and in Islam, menstruating women are not allowed to touch the Quran.
How are women represented in sacred texts?
Sacred texts largely feature male prophets and often represent women negatively, such as Eve being seduced by the snake.
