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Sociology Belifs In Society > Theories of Religion > Flashcards

Theories of Religion Flashcards

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1
Q

Religion and consensus

A

Prevents society from disintegrating and promotes social solidarity, also helps us to deal with stresses that would otherwise disrupt society

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2
Q

Religion and and capitalism

A

Marxists see religion as conservative ideology that prevents social change by legitimating and disguising inequality. It creates false consciousness in working class and prevents revolution

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3
Q

how do feminist see religion Feminists

A

See religion as a conservative force as it is an ideology that legitimates patriarchal power and maintains women’s surbordination in the family and wider society

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4
Q

Conservative

A

Keeping things the same

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5
Q

Religion as a conservative force

A

“Traditional” upholds moral views
Stabilises society
Functions to preserve things the same way

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6
Q

Religions conservative beliefs

A

People who hold conservative views about religion oppose changes that would allow allow people to have sexual freedom

They uphold family values and favour a traditional patriarchal domestic division of labour

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7
Q

Substantive definitions of religion

A

focus on the content of the religious belief. they are defined as being exclusive- they draw a key line between what is religion and what is not

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8
Q

How Weber 1905 define religion

A

Defines religion in a supernatural or superior power that is above nature and cannot he defined scientifically

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9
Q

Functional definitions of religion

A

focuses on functions religion provides for group/individual such as psychological functions

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10
Q

How does Durkheim define religion

A

defines religion in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration

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11
Q

How does yinger (1970)

A

Identifies functions that religion performs for individuals, such as answering ultimate questions about the meaning of life

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12
Q

social Constructionist definition of religion

A

They argue that there is not one universal definition for religion and who has the power to define what is religion.

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13
Q

How do functionalits see society

A

As being interdependent they condors society with the human body each institution performs certain functions just as the organs in the body

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14
Q

What us societies most basic needs

A

Social integration

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15
Q

Value consensus

A

Same values

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16
Q

What does Durkheim say is the key features of all religion

A

The distinction between sacred and profane

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17
Q

Sacred

A

Holy

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18
Q

Profane

A

Ordinary everyday things

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19
Q

Substance

A

supernatural

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20
Q

disadvantage of substantive definition of religion

A

excludes religion that doesn’t have a supernatural being such as Buddhism

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21
Q

advantage of substantive definition of religion

A

very clear boundary of religion

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22
Q

social integration

A

how we all come together

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23
Q

advantage of functional definition of religion

A

includes all religion-inclusive definition

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24
Q

disadvantage of functional definition of religion

A

two wide of a definition-too hard to classify

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25
advantages of social constructionist definition of religion
looking at how religion gets constructed
26
disadvantages of social constructionist of religion
really hard to define religion
27
what are sacred things
symbols which evoke powerful feelings in believers- symbols represent of great power
28
what happens when people worship symbols
they are actually worshiping society itself
29
what does worshipping together do for believers?
unites believers into one single moral community with shared values and beliefs.
30
clan
band of of relatives insular community
31
ritual
religious practise with sacred meaning
32
Durkheim's study
studied native tribe of Arunta aboriginal Australian tribe. there was a clan system which means a community bands of kin (relatives) come together to perform ritual worship of sacred totem
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disadvantage of secondary sources
different understanding
34
what does a totem represent
emblem such such as a plant or animal that symbolises the clan's origins and identity
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what reinforces the clans solidarity
worshipping their values because it brings them together
36
Collective conscience
View that the groups view is more important than their view as an individual
37
Anomie
State of normlessness, ways to live or society will break down
38
Cognitive
Thinking and the brain
39
Malinowski
Share durkheims view in the function of religion He developed Durkheim a theory Religion helps individuals deal with emotional stress and that could undermine social solidarity. Religion helps to minimise disruption and funeral ritual reinforce feelings of social solidarity
40
Ocean fishing rituals
Where outcome is uncertain and uncontrollable
41
At times of life crisis
Hatch match dispatch malinowski argues that religion helps to deal with these and maintain social solidarity
42
Parsons
Identifies 2 other functions of religion in modern society Creates and legit images societies basic values and norms ( sacralising them) making them sacred promoting value consensus and solidarity
43
Legitimates
Makes it legal
44
Sacralising
Better than ordinary
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Civil religion
Relating to non religious religion
46
Multicultural
Pluralistic
47
Examples of civil religion
Worshipping the nation state
48
Evaluation of functionalism
Neglects negative aspects such as religion as a source of religion if the poor or women It ignores religion as a source of division and conflicts especially in complex modern societies where there is more than one religion
49
Cognitive functions
The ability to reason and
50
Who is the founder of Marxism
Carl Marx
51
Marxist theory of religion
There will be no need for religion in a classless society
52
Capitalism
Economy
53
We rule you
Politicians
54
We fool you
Religious leaders
55
We control you
Police army
56
We abuse you
Middle class
57
We support you
Working class
58
Capitalist
Owners of means of production
59
Ideology
False belief
60
Anomie
State of normlessness State of ways to live society will break down
61
The collective conscience
Is shared norms, values beliefs and knowledge that make social life and cooperation between individuals possible without these society would disintegrate
62
In Durkheim what do the sacred symbols
Collective conscience or consciousness.
63
What does Durkheim reinforces the collect conscience
Shared religious rituals. In a sense religion also performs an important function for the individual
64
Cognitive capacities
Our ability to reason and think conceptually. Religion is the origin of the concepts and categories we need for reasoning
65
Malinowski
He developed durkheims theory Religion helps individuals cope with emotional stress that could undermine social solidarity Religion helps to minimise disruption and funeral rituals and reinforce feelings of social solidarity
66
Canoe magic rituals
Are performed to ensure a safe journey. This gives them a sense of control
67
Legitmates
Makes it legal
68
Parsons values and meaning
Identifies 2 other important functions of religion in modern society: Creates and legitimates society’s basic values and norms (sacralising them) making them scared prompting value consensus and social solidarity
69
Civil religion
Relating to non religious religion
70
Criticisms of functionalism
It ignores religion as a source of division and conflict especially in complex modern societies where there is more than one religion
71
Are Substantive definitions of religion inclusive
Excludes religion that don’t have supernatural beings such as Buddhism
72
How does Durkheim distinguish between the sacred and the profane
Durkheim states that sacred means holy and profane means ordinary
73
Explain how religion may have a cognitive function
Religion is the origin of our cognitive capacities to think, reason and also for science. Religion provides us with basics categories such as time and space and which it means we communicate
74
Explain what is meant by civil religion religion
Is an American way of life which they sacralise they worship the nation state
75
Identify two criticisms of the functionalist view of religion
Worsley states there is no sharp division between the sacred and the profane and that different clans share different totems It ignores religion as a source of division and conflicts especially in complex modern societies where there is more than one religion
76
What is the main cause of alienation
Religion
77
Identify one way in which Hinduism may legitimate inequality
Marxists believe that religion legitimates the power and privelege of the dominant class by making their position appear divinely ordained
78
Identity three examples of ways in which religion may be patriarchal
Religious organisations are mainly male dominated despite the fact that women often participant more men in the organisations Sacred texts largely feature the doing of make Gods like Jesus Religious laws/ customs may give women fewer rights for women
79
Give one example of how religion may be empowering for women
Armstrong argues that early religions offen places women at centre, earth mother goddess and fertility cults were found throughout the Middle East about 6000 years ago
80
What does Carl Marx argue about religion as a ideology
He argues that the class that controls economic production also controls the production and distribution of ideas
81
Lenin
Describes religion as “spiritual gin”- an intoxicant doled our to the masses by the ruling class to confuse them and keep them in their place
82
concept
idea
83
premise
assumption or theory
84
ascribed status
status you are bon with
85
cynical
selfish purposes
86
de spirited
no motivation
87
alienation
involves being separated from or losing control over something that one produced or created
88
division of labour
dividing different roles between people
89
consolation
tries to take away the edge
90
what does religion act as to dull the pain of exploitation
an opiate - relives the sigh of the oppressed creature
91
evaluation of Marxist theory on religion
Marxism shows how religion may be used as a tool of oppression towards the working class ignores positive functions of religion such as psychological adjustment. neo-Marxists see thst religion doesn't mean that it is negative for people Althusser rejects the concept of alienation as unscientific and based on human beings true self
92
how do feminists see religion
as patriarchal-male dominated. therefore feminists regard religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetrates this inequality
93
patriarchal
male dominated
94
religious organisations
mainly male-dominated despite the fact that the women often participate more than men in these organisations.
95
places of worship
often segregate the sexes and marginalise women, for example, seating them behind while men occupy the central and more sacred roles
96
sacred texts
largely feature the doings of male Gods, prophets etc and are usually written and interpreted by men
97
religion laws and customs
may give women fewer rights than men for example access to divorce.
98
have women always been subordinate to men
Armstrong argues that early religion often placed women at the centre. for example, earth mother goddess , fertility cults or female priest
99
is religion a direct cause of women's subordination
Nawal El Saadawi argues that it is not a direct accuse of their subordination rather this is a result of a patriarchal society
100
how does Woodhead critics feminists explanations of religion
critises feminists explanations that simply equate religion with patriarchy and oppression

Sociology Belifs In Society (8 decks)

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