Functionalism And Religion

Question 1

The sacred and the profane

Answer 1

It is not the believe in god but the belief in the sacred and the profane. Durkheim belied hat religion is worshipping itself not a God or the supernatural. This is because society is the only thing powerful enough to produce so much fear. It provides unity within the community.

Question 2

The sacred

Answer 2

Things set apart and forbidden, they inspire feelings of awe.

Question 3

The profane

Answer 3

Things hat are ordinary and mundane.

Question 4

Durkheim’s study of Australian aborigine cultures

Answer 4

Durkheim believed that this was the most simple and basic form of religion. It was different between clans. Each clan would have a different totem which they saw as sacred. The totem represented their society and culture so they were in fact worshipping this.

Question 5

Collective conscience

Answer 5

Represented by the communities sacred symbols and provides shared norms, values and beliefs that make social life possible. Rituals reinforce this and maintain social integration. This helps individuals to overcome obstacles in their life (life crises).

Question 6

Criticisms of Durkheim’s views

Answer 6

Durkheim’s study of totemism lacks reasonable evidence as he based it upon someone else’s research
Worsley (1956) there is no sharp division between the sacred and the profane
All religions are not the same
It may only apply to small society whom only have one religion
Mestrovic (2011), it cannot apply to modern day society

Question 7

Central values (parsons)

Answer 7

Everyone must follow the same norms and have the same values because they are sacred.

Question 8

Source of meaning (parsons)

Answer 8

Religion answers ultimate questions, which if left unanswered may cause people to rebel against society. This in turn creates stability.