Theories of Religion

Question 1

Which functionalists commented?

Answer 1

Durkheim (Sacred and profane)
Malinowski (Psychological functions)
Parsons (Value and meaning)
Bellah (Civil religion)

Question 2

What does Durkheim argue are the functions of religion?

Answer 2

The sacred and profane (society itself)
Totemism
The collective consciousness
Cognitive functions

Question 3

What is the function of the sacred and profane according to Durkheim?

Answer 3

Sacred things represent something of great power with can only be society itself to unite members in a single moral community

Question 4

What are sacred things?

Answer 4

Things that are set apart with feelings of wonder and awe

Question 5

What are profane things?

Answer 5

Normal things with no special significance

Question 6

According to Durkheim, what do totems represent?

Answer 6

Society itself

Question 7

How does religion help to maintain the collective conscience according to Durkheim?

Answer 7

Shared norms and values that make cooperation possible.

Regular shared religious rituals maintain social intergration and remind people of the power of society

Question 8

What cognitive functions does religion perform according to Durkheim?

Answer 8

Its the basis for concepts and catergories which we need for our cognitive capabilities. The division of clans gives people their first notion of classification.

Question 9

Which sociologists critisize Durkheim?

Answer 9

Worsley: There is no sharp division between the sacred and profane. Clans can have the same totems and his theory may be better for small scale socieities
Postmodernists: Can’t be applied to modern society as diversity undermines the collective consciousness

Question 10

How does Worsley critisize Durkheim?

Answer 10

There is no sharp division between the sacred and profane. Clans can have the same totems and his theory may be better for small scale socieities

Question 11

How do postmodernists critisize Durkheim?

Answer 11

Can’t be applied to modern society as diversity undermines the collective consciousness

Question 12

What two situations where religion has a psychological function did Malinowski identify?

Answer 12

Times of great uncertainty

Times of life crisis

Question 13

How did Malinowski say religion can provide psychological functions in times of uncertainity?

Answer 13

It gives people a sense of control and confidence. reinforcing social solidarity

Question 14

How did Malinowski say religion can provide psychological functions in times of life crisis?

Answer 14

Religion minimises the disruption such as the idea of immortality when a loved one dies

Question 15

What two essential functions did Parsons identify?

Answer 15

It legitimises society’s central values

Source of meaning

Question 16

According to Parsons, how does religion legitimise society’s central values?

Answer 16

Makes the basic norms and values sacred with promotes value consensus and social solidarity

Question 17

According to Parsons, how is religion a primary source of meaning?

Answer 17

Awnsers ultimate questions and puts hardships as a test of faith so they don’t undermine consensus. It helps people to adjust.

Question 18

Who came up with the idea of civil religion?

Answer 18

Bellah

Question 19

What is civil religion?

Answer 19

An overarching belief system that attatches sacred qualities to society itself. It’s seperate from churches and involves national loyalty

Question 20

How can functionalism be evaluated?

Answer 20

Emphasizes social nature and positive functions but ignores negative aspects such as it being a source of opression.
Ignores that it can cause division and conflict

Question 21

How is religion the ideology of the ruling class?

Answer 21

Controlled by the media and church to justify the suffering of the working class as god-given and inevitable. Creates a false consciousness that stops them from overthrowing the ruling class who have divinely obtained their power

Question 22

Why does Althusser argue that religion is an ideological state apparatus?

Answer 22

It controlls how people think and passes on the dominant ideology

Question 23

Which sociologist saw religion as the product of alienation?

Answer 23

Marc

Question 24

Hoe does Marc argue that religion is the product of alienation?

Answer 24

Workers are alienated as they can’t control the means of production and work is repeating the same things which is dehumanising so they have no freedom to express their true nature. They turn to religion as consolidation which dulls the pain of exploitation

Question 25

How can Marxism be evaluated?

Answer 25

Shows how religion can be a tool of opression but ignores it's positive functions such as assisting the development of class consciousness.
Other marxists think alienation is too romantic and unscientific

Question 26

What is the evidence of patriarchy in religion?

Answer 26

Armstrong: Religions are male-dominated and forbid women to be preists
Places of worship segregate sexes and women have restricted participation with more taboos
Sacred texts are written by men and have more male gods
Religious laws give women fewer rights

Question 27

What evidence does Armstrong have that religion is a form of patriarchy?

Answer 27

Religion is male dominated with women forbidden from becoming preists

Question 28

How have religions not always been male-dominated?

Answer 28

Early religions had females at the centre such as mother nature. Monotheistic religions are patriarchial

Question 29

What does Woodhead argue about religious forms of feminism?

Answer 29

Some things can be a form of empowerment such as the hijab