Theories Of Religion Flashcards
(24 cards)
Marxists function of religion
False class consciousness
Justifies social inequality
Inhibits social change
Alienation
Religion provides false class consciousness
Cushions effects of oppression
“Religion is the opium of the people”
The poor are told that they are the chosen ones
Suffering is promised rewards
Religion provides social inequality
Religion is an ideological state apparatus
Passes on ruling class ideology
Preserves existing patterns of wealth
For Marxists, how does religion inhibit social change
Keeps the rich rich and the poor poor
Conservative force
Don’t know how unfair it is
For Marxists, how does religion alienate people
Humans invent a god, they believe it is omnipotent
People become passive and fatalistic
Deny their right to make decisions
Evidence for Marxist function of religion
Fundamentalism
Groups in USA, hold conservative laws
Catholic Church
Traditional stance on abortion
Criticisms of Marxist function of religion
Fewer people go to a place of worship
Ignores stability
Secularisation
For functionalists what is the function of religion
Collective conscience
Value consensus
Coping with life stress
Durkheims theory of religion
Sacred objects
Aboriginal study, sacred worship of totem poles
Humans are inferior to objects
Encourages shared values and creates value consensus
How does religion provide a Collective conscience
Singing and dancing- provides social solidarity
Norms and values taught through teachings
Uplifting and socialable services
Malinowski’s theory of religion
Religion helps to cope with social stress
Unpredictable events threaten social fodder
Religion provides meaning for these
Triobriand Islanders In 1920’s went fishing, tension as it was dangerous
Special boats, rituals unified the community
Criticisms of Functionalists theory of religion
Ignored NRMS
Ignores evidence of religion providing change
Beliefs passed on are those of community
Feminist theory of religion
Patriarchy
Oppresses women
Sees them as dirty
How does religion reproduce patriarchy?
Male dominant organisations
Places of worship segregate sexes
Women not allowed to preach
Tests feature the doing of male gods
How are religious texts patriarchal?
Transmit patriarchal stories
Simon de Beauvoir: religion is exploitative and oppressive
Women out up with suffering to get rewards in heaven
See women as temptresses
What’s the main role of women that is portrayed in religion
Having babies
Primary caregivers
Very important in traditional religion
Traps women into roles
What do Armstrong, El Saadawi and Woodhead say about religion?
Armstrong: women haven’t a,ways been subordinate to men
Early religion placed women at the heart
El Saadawi: religion is not the direct cause of the oppression, religion was reshape due to patriarchy
Woodhead: women can use religion to feel liberation and freedom
Criticisms of the feminist theory of religion
Not necessarily passive victims
May resists oppression
Not patriarchal in aspects where it protects women
May be transmitted but not by religion
Market exchange theory on religion
Stark and bainbridge
Religion is a compensator
Supply led religion
Stark and bainbridge theory of religion
People are naturally religious
It fulfills basic needs
It’s human nature to seek rewards and avoid costs
How does Religion provide compensators
Cycle of renewal: religion fluctuates as popularity changes
Each religion persuades, attracts its customers by rewards
If they don’t do this they decline
How can religion be said to be ‘supply led’
Growth of Televangelists
Promoted the religion through commercials
Led to growth of mega churches, large congregations, lavish resources
Criticism of the market theory of religion
Misrepresents secularisation
Non sociology
Presumes everyone turns to religion
What does the phenomenological approach say about religion
Universe of meaning: set of beliefs and values helps people make sense of the world, enabled them to give life order and meaning
Theodicy of meaning: answer to unanswered questions
Sacred Canopy: religion once held up the canopy but is beginning to collapse as uncertainty grows
