Beliefs in Society - topic 1 - theories of religion

Question 1

Sociologist define religion as three things, what are they?

Answer 1

Substantive
Functional
Constructionist

Question 2

Definitions of religion: substantitive: What do they focus on?

Answer 2

They focus on the substance of religion e.g. a belief in God, there is a very clear line made between what is classed as a religion and what isn’t.

Question 3

Definitions of religion: substantitive: What do they conform to?

Answer 3

. They conform to the widespread (western) views of religion

Question 4

Definitions of religion: substantitive: What is a criticism of the substantitive definition?

Answer 4

Leaves no space for any practices outside of a belief in God.

Question 5

Definitions of religion: substantitive: How does weber define religion?

Answer 5

Weber defines religion as a belief in a superior or supernatural being that cannot be explained scientifically

Question 6

Definitions of religion: functional: What do they believe?

Answer 6

Religion plays a specific social and psychological functions for society

Question 7

Definitions of religion: functional: How does durkheim define religion?

Answer 7

Durkheim defines religion in terms of its contribution to social integration rather than a belief in God

Question 8

Definitions of religion: functional: Advantages of the functional belief?

Answer 8

Inclusive to all those who have a range of beliefs and practice functions needed for integration
There’s no western bias as no belief in god is mentioned.

Question 9

Definitions of religion: functional: What is a criticism of the functional relief?

Answer 9

Just because it helps integration doesn’t mean it’s a religion.

Question 10

Definitions of religion: constructionist: What is their view?

Answer 10

This view focuses on how the members of society define religion themselves, it isn’t possible to create one universal outlook of religion.

Question 11

Definitions of religion: constructionist: What does aldridge say about scientology?

Answer 11

Aldridge uses scientology to show how members believe that it’s a religion however the government would class it more as a cult.

Question 12

Definitions of religion: constructionist: What do they not assume?

Answer 12

They do not assume a belief in God or the supernatural, or that it performs a function for society.

Question 13

Definitions of religion: constructionist: What is a strength of this approach?

Answer 13

. Their approach allows them to get close to the followers and the definitions they give,

Question 14

Definitions of religion: constructionist: What is a weakness of this approach?

Answer 14

It is impossible to generalise what counts as a religion.

Question 15

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: The key to religion is the fundamental distinction between what?

Answer 15

the sacred and profane

Question 16

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: What does he mean by sacred?

Answer 16

the sacred are the forbidden things that are taboo or inspire awe

Question 17

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: What are the profane?

Answer 17

the profane are things that have no special significance that are ordinary.

Question 18

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: Religious worship is what…

Answer 18

religious worship is worship to society.

Question 19

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: Why is religious worship, worship to society?

Answer 19

Sacred things evoke powerful feelings due to how they represent something greater, the only greater thing is society so religious worship is worship to society.

Question 20

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: He believed to study something in great detail we must study its origin, so for society we would study what?

Answer 20

a clan society e.g. Arunta.

Question 21

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: describe the arunta tribe?

Answer 21

These tribe worship totem poles as it symbolises the clan’s origins, they create a feeling of solidarity. To Durkheim they’re really worshipping society.

Question 22

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: Sacred symbols represent what?

Answer 22

Sacred symbols represent society’s collective conscience

Question 23

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: What do sacred symbols do to society?

Answer 23

Maintains social integration and brings them all together. Also, to the individual society makes us feel part of something greater than us.

Question 24

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim: List two people who criticize durkheim?

Answer 24

Worsley (1956)
Mestrovic (2011)

Question 25

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim CRITICISM: Worlsey: What did he say?

Answer 25

Worsley (1956) found that many tribes share totems (not sacred to individual clan), and even if Durkheim is right about Totems it doesn’t prove that he has found the essence of religion.

Question 26

Functionalist theory of religion: Durkheim CRITICISM: Mestrovic: What did he say?

Answer 26

Mestrovic (2011) argues that the postmodern society doesn’t apply to Durkheim’s research, as increasing diversity has fragmented the collective conscience.

Question 27

Functionalist theory of religion: Psychological functions: Malinowski (1954) argues that religion promotes what?

Answer 27

social solidarity due to its psychological functions (helping them cope with emotional stress).

Question 28

Functionalist theory of religion: Psychological functions: In which 2 situations in does religion promote social solidarity?

Answer 28

Where the outcome is important but is uncontrollable and thus uncertain
At times of life crises

Question 29

Functionalist theory of religion: Psychological functions: Promotion of social solidarity: Give examples of uncontrollable events

Answer 29

lagoon fishing is safe but ocean fishing is dangerous so islanders perform rituals

Question 30

Functionalist theory of religion: Psychological functions: Promotion of social solidarity: Give examples of uncontrollable events Give examples of life crises

Answer 30

birth, puberty, marriage, funeral rituals

Question 31

Functionalist theory of religion: Values and meaning: Parsons: He sees religion as a way to help people with what?

Answer 31

help people cope with unforeseen events and uncontrollable outcomes.

Question 32

Functionalist theory of religion: Values and meaning: Parsons: What else did parson think religion did?

Answer 32

Religion also creates and legitimates society’s central values

Question 33

Functionalist theory of religion: Values and meaning: Parsons: Give an example of Religion creating and legitamising society’s central values?

Answer 33

Protestantism in the US sacralised the core American value of individualism) and is the primary source of meaning (it answers ultimate questions and gives meaning to lives

Question 34

Functionalist theory of religion: civil religion: What did Bellah (2013) believe?

Answer 34

religion as a way to unify society, especially in such multifaith societies as the US. A civil religion (a belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society) unifies over all e.g. ‘the American way of life’.

Question 35

Functionalist theory of religion: Evaluation?

Answer 35

Neglects the negative aspects of religion such as religion being a source for oppression.
Ignores religion as a source for conflict and division, for example societies with more than one religion (Civil religions).

Question 36

Marxist theories of religion: religion as an ideology:What does ideology mean?

Answer 36

a system of ideas and ideals,
especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Question 37

Marxist theories of religion: religion as an ideology: What did marx think religion did?

Answer 37

religion operates as an ideological weapon used to legitimate the suffering of the proletariat.

Question 38

Marxist theories of religion: religion as an ideology: Religion misleads the poor into thinking what?

Answer 38

their suffering is virtuous and will be rewarded in the afterlife.

Question 39

Marxist theories of religion: religion as an ideology: How did Lenin describe religion?

Answer 39

as ‘spiritual gin’ in how it used an intoxicant to drown out oppression, creating a ‘mystical fog’ that obscures reality.

Question 40

Marxist theories of religion: religion as an ideology: How do the ruling class justify their position in society?

Answer 40

Religion also acts a way to legitimate the position of the ruling class, they’re roles are ‘divinely ordained’

Question 41

Marxist theories of religion:Religion and alienation: How does religion act as an “opium”?

Answer 41

Dulls the pain the lower classes feel over alienation
Which is the separation they have from the rewards of their hard work.
It acts as no solution, aspects as an afterlife just provides a source of consolation.

Question 42

Marxist theories of religion: Criticisms?

Answer 42

Ignores the positive functions of religion such as psychological adjustment to misfortune.
Althusser (1971) reject alienation as a scientific concept due to the idea that humans have an idea of their ‘true self’.

Question 43

Marxist theories of religion: What do neo marxists believe?

Answer 43

Neo-Marxists see certain forms of religion as assisting not hindering the development of class consciousness.

Question 44

Marxist theories of religion: What was Althussers criticisim?

Answer 44

Althusser (1971) reject alienation as a scientific concept due to the idea that humans have an idea of their ‘true self’.

Question 45

Feminist theories of religion: Where can evidence of the patriarchy be seen in religion? (Give 4 examples)

Answer 45

religious organisations
places of worship
sacred texts
religious laws and customs

Question 46

Feminist theories of religion: Where can evidence of the patriarchy be seen in religion: Religions organisation: How???

Answer 46

(male dominated despite how women participate more)

Question 47

Feminist theories of religion: Where can evidence of the patriarchy be seen in religion: Places of worship: How???

Answer 47

segregate the sexes,
women’s participation may also be restricted,
taboos concerning periods, pregnancy and childbirth

Question 48

Feminist theories of religion: Where can evidence of the patriarchy be seen in religion: sacred texts : How???

Answer 48

(all feature male figures such as gods of prophets

Question 49

Feminist theories of religion: Where can evidence of the patriarchy be seen in religion: Religions laws and customs: How???

Answer 49

women are given fewer rights

Question 50

Feminist theories of religion: What is Armstrong’s argument that women were more valued by religion in the past?

Answer 50

Armstrong argued that a lot of earlier religion placed women at the centre e.g. mother nature or the goddess of fertility, however the development of monotheistic religions saw the establishment of a single patriarchal figure of god.

Question 51

Feminist theories of religion: Woodhead (2009) admitted what?

Answer 51

Woodhead (2009) admitted while there is a lot of oppression in many religions, it is not true of all.

Question 52

Feminist theories of religion: How is wearing the hijab seen by westerners vs muslim women?

Answer 52

Wearing the hijab is seen as modern-day oppression to westerners, however to Muslim women it is seen as a symbol of liberation that allows them to enter public spheres with being condemned as being immodest

Question 53

Feminist theories of religion: How can women use religion to gain status?

Answer 53

Women also use religion to gain status and respect within the private sphere of their home, they use activities link to the church (e.g. Bible studies) to share their experiences.

Question 54

Feminist theories of religion: What do liberal protestants believe?

Answer 54

Liberal Protestant organisations are often committed to gender equality within their religion and allow women to play leading roles

Question 55

Feminist theories of religion:

Question 56

Feminist theories of religion: