Theories Of Religion Assessmnet FC

Question 1

What do functionalist Argue about society

Answer 1

Society most basic need is for social order + solidarity. So members can cooperate
Possible through value consensus which stops people from pursuing their own selfish desires + stops society from disintegrating

Question 2

How is religion linked to functionality views of society

Answer 2

Religion crates and maintains VC, order and solidarity

Question 3

What is the key feature of religion according Durkheim

Answer 3

Distinction between the sacred (symbols with holy meaning) and the prophane (mundane)
Religion involves sacred rituals in a collective have powerful meaning

Question 4

Example of durkheims scared and profane

Answer 4

Arunta clans perform rituals involving the worship of sacred totems. Reinforce groups solidarity and sense of belonging. Sacred symbols represent society’s collective conscience
Rituals reinforce this

Question 5

What does collective conscience mean

Answer 5

Shared norms and values that make cooperation between individuals possible without this society will disintegrate

Question 6

How does the scared symbols represent society’s collective conscience

Answer 6

Participating in shared rituals binds individuals together reminding them that they are part of a community which they owe their loyalty
Makes us feel part of something great which performs as a function to motivate us to overcome obstacles

Question 7

What are the cognitive functions of religion

Answer 7

Durkheim sees religion as a source of this for two reasons

• fulfils our intellectual and cognitive capabilities = ability to reason and think conceptually
• religion created categories eg time space

Question 8

what is the evaluation of Durkeheim on religion

Answer 8

• postmodernists argue it cant be applied to contemporary society no longer a single shared value system ie Giddens and Beck- individualisation thesis
• secondary research - unreliable

Question 9

what does Malinowski argue about psychological functions

Answer 9

agrees with Durkheim that religion promotes solidarity but in his way it is by performing psychological functions
two types of situations in which it performs this role
1. uncontrollable + uncertain situation
ie study of Trobriander islanders. differs between lagoon fishing (safe, no ritual) + ocean fishing (dangerous/ uncertain accompied by canoe magic- ritual to ensure safe expedition) gives confidence in hazardous situations
2. at times of life crisis
minimises disruption caused by birth/death eg funeral rituals reinforce solidarity

Question 10

what is Malinowski evaluation

Answer 10

emphasises positive functions of religion religion ie social solidarity but it neglects negative aspects of ie source of oppression for women and poor

Question 11

what does parsons argue (values and meaning)

Answer 11

parsons agrees with Malinowski that religion helps individual cope with uncontrollable outcomes
in addition performs two essential functions that religion performs
- religion creates and legitimates society’s central values by sacralising them eg USA sacralised American values ie meritocracy. promotes VC + social stability
- provides a source of meaning by answering ultimate questions ie life and death

Question 12

evaluation of parsons theory

Answer 12

ignores religion as a source of division + conflict especially where is more than one religion ie Huntington religious differences between civilisation are major source of conflict

Question 13

what does Bellah argue about civil religion

Answer 13

like parsons is interested in what unifies society
argues that civil religion unifies multi faith societies eg USA does this by attaching sacred qualities to society
involves loyalty to the nation state + belief in God ie expressed in ritual of singing the national anthem
sacralise American way of life + binds american togther from many different ethnic backgrounds + religious backgrounds

Question 14

evaluation of civil religion

Answer 14

• conflict with the substantive definition of religion as this does not include a belief in the supernatural
• also ignores conflict between ethnicities as the BLM movement cause a divide in America

Question 15

what are the Marxist main theories

Answer 15

see society as divided into classes, capitalist class exploit WC. Exploitation can be overcome when WC become conscious of their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism. There will be no need for religion in classless society so it will disappear

Question 16

what three ways does religion ease the pain of oppression + exploitation in 3 ways

Answer 16

1. promotes the eventual escape from suffering
2. hoe of supernatural intervention to solve problems on earth
3. justifies inequality

Question 17

evaluation of marxists theory of religion

Answer 17

some societies such as cuba and china claim to be communist but religion persists. suggests that there are other reasons for the existence of religion

Question 18

what is the definition of ideology

Answer 18

a belief system which distorts people of reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class.

Question 19

for marx how is religion an ideology

Answer 19

religion acts as an ideological weapon to justify suffering as inevitable. Misleads poor that they will be favoured in the after life - provides false consciousness

Question 20

what does Lenin argue about religion as a ideology

Answer 20

religion is a ‘spirtual gin’ - manipulate masses, keeps WC in their place creates mystical fog which hides reality

Question 21

how does religion legimate the power of the dominate class (marx and ideology)

Answer 21

makes their position look as if it was divinely ordained eg 16th cen kings were Gods representative questioning the kings was seen as questioning God but this was abolished

Question 22

what other study links to marx and ideology

Answer 22

Althusser (1970) tools Bourgeoisie use to maintain control - ISA = maintain controlling ideas

• reproduces class inequality = transmitting ruling class ideology to generation to generation
• legitimates class inequality = spreads ideology which disguises capitalist exploitation , WC should know place

Question 23

evaluation of marx and ideology

Answer 23

• ignores positive functions of religion ie functionalist psychological functions
• Engels = dual character argues that even though religion inhibits change by disguising inequality it can also challenge that status quo and encourage social change

Question 24

what does alienation mean

Answer 24

becoming separated from or losing control over something one has created ‘
in terms of capitalism the WC become alientated as they do not own what they create and have no control over it
your are separated from your true self - less likely to revolt

Question 25

how does marx see religion as a product of alienation

Answer 25

as it acts as an opiate to the masses to dull the pain of exploitation. Masks underlying problems. No solution to earthly misery but it offers after life. distracts attention from the source of suffering ie capitalism

Question 26

what are the evaluation for religion and alienation

Answer 26

• Althusser - Alienation is unscientific as it cannot be proven right
• it fails consider secularisation, fewer than 10% of people attend church

Question 27

feminist theories of religion

Answer 27

patriarchy = male domination
They regard religion as a patriarchal institution perpetuates inequality. Religious beliefs function as a patriarchal ideology that legitimates female subordination

Question 28

evidence of patriachy in religion

Answer 28

sacred texts= largely feature doings of male gods, prophets etc. Some reflect anti female sterotypes eg eve persuaded adam to eat forbidden fruit (women in neg light)
religious laws and customs= may give women fewer than men ie acess to divorce. Many religions legitimate women’s traditional reproductive roles ie catholic church + iran women whipped for dress code violations. also accused of adultery can lead to face disfigurations ie cutting of face

Question 29

evaluation for the evidence of patriachy

Answer 29

women have not always been subordinate to men in religion ie Armstorng - 6,000 years ago there were female priesthoods women were at the centre. 4,000 years ago saw the uprise of monotheistic religions

Question 30

what is argued about religious forms of feminism

Answer 30

religion can give women greater freedom: Woodhead- veil/hijab to th wearer, be a means of liberation. Others say it allows them to gain parental approval to go into further ed and employment
+
lib fem movements ie peity movements are committed to gender equality + women playing leading roles ie COE has female priests since 1992
+
El Sadaawi - some aspects of religion are liberating as women can keep surname

Question 31

introduction

Answer 31

context - definitions ie types of religions
content - waffle
debate - does religion actually perform what the question is stating

sociologists theories are concerned with religions role for individuals + society. All see religion as a conservative force

Question 32

conclusion

Answer 32

to conclude, but, therefore
func - religion performs positive func include solidarity
marx - religion dulls the pain of expolitation
femininist - see religion as an instrument of patraichy

Question 33

Value consensus

Answer 33

A set shared norms and values which societies members live by