Beliefs- Topic 1 (Paper2) Flashcards
(39 cards)
Substantive definitions.
These focus on the content or substance of religious belief such as belief in God or the supernatural.
Functional definitions.
Rather than defying religion in terms of specific kinds of belief functional definitions define it in terms of the social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society.
Constructionist definitions.
Social constructionist take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion.
What is society’s most basic need?
Social order and solidarity.
How is order possible in society?
The existence of value consensus.
What is menat by the sacred?
They are things set apart and forbidden, that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder, and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions.
What is menat by the profane?
They are the things that have no special significance- things that are ordinary and mundane.
What’s the significance of the totem in clan worship?
It’s the clan’s emblem, such as an animal or plant that symbolises the clan’s origins and identity.
What is menat by the collective conscience?
It’s the shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge that make social life and cooperation between individuals possible.
How do rituals reinforce the collective conscience?
Participating in shared rituals binds individuals together, reminding them that they are part of a single moral community to which they owe their loyally.
Two cognitive functions of religion.
In order to share our thoughts, we need to use the same categories as others.
To think at all we need categories such as time, space, cause, substance, number etc.
3 Criticisms of Durkheim’s views on religion
It applies better to small-scale societies.
It caht be applied to contemporary societies.
It declines church attendance and collective worship so isn’t applicable to Western Societies.
According to Malinowski, how does religion promote social solidarity?
By performing psychological function for individuals, helping them cope with emotional stress that would undermine social solidarity.
What are the two types of situations in which Malinowski suggests religion promotes social solidarity.
-Where the outcome is important but is uncontrollable and thus uncertain.
-At times of life crises-events such as births, puberty, marriage and especially death.
According to Parsons, what are the 2 essential functions of religion?
-It creates and legitimises society’s central values.
-It is the primary source of meaning.
How does religion act as a source of meaning.
It answers ‘ultimate’ questions about the human condition.
What is meant by civil religion?
A belief system that attaches sacred qualities to doctors itself.
How does civil religion bind Americans together?
American civil religion involves loyalty to the nation-state and a bleif in God, both of which are equated with being a true American.
3 criticisms of the functionalist view of religion.
-It ignores religion as a source of division and conflict.
-It neglects negative aspects of religion.
-It ignores what makes religion distinctive and different.
How do Marxists see society?
Divided into 2 class, one of which exploits the labour of the other. Working class and Ruling class.
According to Marx, how will exploitation be overcome?
When the working class become conscious of their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism.
What will happen to religion in a classless society?
There won’t be a need for religion.
Define ideology.
It’s a belift system that distorts people’s perceptions of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class.
How does religion act as an ideological weapon?
By the ruling class to justify suffering of the poor as something inevitable and god-given.
