Definitions of religion

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9 Terms

1

What is the substantive definition?

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

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2

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.

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3

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

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4

What is the functional definition of religion?

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

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5

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

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6

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.

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7

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.

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8

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.

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9

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

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