Theories of religion

Question 1

b

                                             What is the Substantive definition of religion?

Answer 1

• these focus on the content or substance of religious belief such as belief in God or the supernatural
• Weber 1905) religion is a belief in the superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically
• exclusive as they draw clear line between religious & non religious beliefs

Question 2

AO3 substantive definition

Answer 2

• defining religion in this way leaves no room for beliefs & practices that perform similar functions to religion but do not involve belief in a God (exclusivist)
• Western bias > excluded non theistic belief systems like Buddhism

Question 3

What is the functional definition of religion?

Answer 3

• defined in terms of the social or psychological functions religion performs for individuals
• Durkheim defines religion in terms of its contribution it makes to social integration

Question 4

AO3 functional definition

Answer 4

• functional definitions are inclusive, allowing us to include a wide range of beliefs & practices that perform functions such as integration
• No bias against non-western religions e.g. Buddhism
• too inclusive as this could also include ideologies such as football fandom or nationalism

Question 5

What is the constructionist definition?

Answer 5

• social constructionists take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion
• not possible to produce a single universal definition of religion to cover all cases
• do not assume that religion always is a belief in God or the supernatural

Question 6

What are social constructionists interested in and example?

Answer 6

• how definitions of religion are constructed challenged and fought over
• Aldridge shows how for its followers Scientology is a religion, whereas several governments have denied legal status as religion & sought to ban it
• shows that the definition of religion can be contested & influenced by who has the power to define it

Question 7

A03 constructionist definition

Answer 7

• impossible to generalise about the nature of religion, since their are differing views on what counts
• lacks generalisability as there is no single explanation

Question 8

What does Durkheim argue is they key feature of all religions?

Answer 8

• fundamental difference between the sacred & profane
• sacred= things set apart & forbidden, inspire feelings of awe, fear & wonder (cross)
• profane= things that have no special meaning or significance- ordinary & mundane
• Argues that scared things create powerful feelings in believers because they are symbols representing a greater power and this thing is society
• symbols thus unit members into a single moral community
• E.G. Durkheim observed that each clan worshipped a totem, which symbolised both the deity and society itself > worshipping the totem equated to worshipping society which reinforces the collective conscience
• without these scared symbols society would disintegrate

Question 9

AO3 Durkheim on the functions of religion

Answer 9

• overemphasises the positive aspects of religion neglecting its potential to cause conflict and division between different communities
• based on study of small scale societies > may not be applicable to other societies

Question 10

What dos Malinowski argue religion performs?

Answer 10

• psychological functions for individuals, helping them cope with emotional stress that would undermine social solidarity
• Malinowski studies the Trobriand Islanders and found that religious rituals were used to manage anxiety during uncertain situations such as open sea fishing
• Religion also provided explanations and comfort during life events like birth, deaths, marriage helping individuals to cope with emotional stress e.g. notion of life after death comforts the bereaved by denying the fact of death

Question 11

What are the two functions of religion that Parson identifies of religion?

Answer 11

• Parsing argues that:
• religion creates and legitimates society’s central values by sacralising them e.g. influence of Protestantism on American values such as individualism, meritocracy’s and self discipline which became embedded in the core values of the nation > establishes value consensus and social solidiraity
• religion also provides a source of meaning > provides answers to ultimate questions such as why the good suffer > helping individuals to cope with unforeseen circumstances and events maintaining stability

Question 12

What did Bellah argue about Civil religion?

Answer 12

• Bellah introduced the concept of civil religion, where secular symbols and rituals (national flags, anthems) perform similar functions to traditional religions in uniting society
• e.g. in the US, national ceremonies and symbols created a shared sense of identity and purpose > it sacralises the American way of life and binds together Americans from many different backgrounds