Definitions of religion

What is the substantive definition?

A belief system that MUST centre around a God/Gods and/or the supernatural

Give an example of a sociologist who believed in the substantive definition

Max Weber (1905) as he defines religion as a belief in a higher/supernatural power that cannot be explained scientifically.

What are the pros and cons of the substantive definition?

PROS:
It is an exclusive definition- draws a very clear line between what is religion and what isn’t.

CONS:
Excludes non-godly beliefs that perform the exact same sociological function
Very ethnocentric as it excludes many non-western religions such as Buddhism

What is the functional definition of religion?

Defining what is and isn’t a religion based on what social and personal functions it performs.

Give 2 sociologists who use the functional definition

Durkheim (1915) defines religion in terms of social integration

Yinger (1970) defines religion based on answering individually pressing/distressing questions such as what happens after death

What are the pros and cons of the functional definition?

PROS:
Includes a wide range of practises and beliefs from across the world

CONS:
Casts too wide a net. Fandoms provide social integration but are not considered to be religious entities by wider society.

What is the social constructionist definition of religion?

Religion is whatever an individual says it its as it is merely a social construct, a very interpretivist approach.

Give an example of a sociologist who believes in the social constructionist definition

Alan Aldridge (2013) cites groups such as scientology to support this definition as despite it acting as a religious entity for some several governments refuse to acknowledge it as such.

What are the pros and cons of the social constructionist definition?

PROS:
Not deterministic as it acknowledges the wide range of functions religion performs for individuals and cultures across the globe

CONS:
Kind of refuses to define religion at the same time, a nothing burger really