Sociology Theories Of Religion

Question 1

Functionalist theories of Religion

Answer 1

Functionalists see society as like an organism, with basic needs that it must meet to survive. Each institution performs certain functions to maintain the social system by meeting a need.

Functionalists argue that value consensus is necessary to hold society together - without it, individual selfishness would cause social disintegration.

Society’s most basic need is for social order and solidarity. Functionalists believe what makes order possible is value consensus ( a set of shared norms and values for people to follow).

Durkheim (1915) argues religion institutions play a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and stability.

Question 2

According to Durkheim what is the key features of all religion the distinction between?

( define both fundamental distinctions)

(Give examples of sacred things and profane things)

Answer 2

For Durkheim, the key feature of all religions is a fundamental distinction between the sacred and the profane.

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.

Examples of religious things -
a religious symbol : the Christian cross

and profane things a streetlight

Question 3

What is a Ritual ?

Answer 3

A religion is more than a set of beliefs: it has sacred rituals or practices and these rituals are collective - performed by social groups.

Question 4

What does Durkheim argue sacred things create?

Answer 4

Durkheim argues that sacred things create powerful feelings in believers because they are symbols representing something of great power, and this thing can only be society.

When people worship sacred symbols they are worshipping society itself. For Durkheim, sacred symbols perform the essential function of uniting believers into a single moral community.

Question 5

Evaluations of Durkheim’s study of the sacred and the profane

Answer 5

Durkheim did not carry out any research on the Arunta himself; all his information came from secondary sources. Furthermore, religion in the simplest society may not be the same as religion in other societies.

Question 6

Evaluation points of Durkheim’s ‘ the sacred and the profane ‘ study

Answer 6

Durkheim believed the essence of all religion could be found by studying it in its simplest form, in the simplest type of society. So, used studies of Arunta, an Aboriginal Australian tribe with a clan system.

Among the Arunta, bands of kin come together to perform ritual worship of a sacred totem. The totem is the clan’s emblem, such as an animal/ plant that symbolises the clan’s identity. The totemic rituals venerating it reinforce the groups solidarity and sense of belonging.

For Durkheim, when clan members worship their totem, they are in reality worshipping society - the totem inspires awe in the clan’s members precisely because it represents the power of the group