Beliefs in society

Substantive definitions of religion

Substantive definitions are exclusive – they draw a clear line between religious and non-religious beliefs. To be a religion, a set of beliefs must include belief in God or the supernatural.

Social constructionists definition of religion

Social constructionists take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion. They argue that it is not possible to produce a single universal definition of religion.

Durkheim religion

When they worship the sacred symbols, therefore, people are worshipping society itself.  

Arunta, the shared totemic rituals venerating it serve to reinforce the group’s solidarity and sense of belonging. 

Parson view on relgion

sees religion helping individuals to cope with unforeseen events and uncontrollable outcomes.  Meanings- It creates and legitimates society’s central values. It is the primary source of meaning 

Malinowski religion

in his view, it does so by performing psychological functions for individuals, helping them cope with emotional stress. In his study of the Trobriand Islanders of the Western Pacific, Malinowski contrasts Lagoon fishing that is safe and uses the predictable and successful method of poisoning. When the islanders fish in the lagoon, there is no rit

Marxist view on relgion

Marx- operates as an ideological weapon used by the ruling class to legitimate (justify) the suffering of the poor

Lenin- describes religion as spiritual gin

Patriarchy in religion

Karen Armstrong – Women are often blocked from the top positions in mainstream churches.

Simone de Beauvoir saw religion as a tool that encourages women to accept their subordination by promising rewards in the afterlife in exchange for obedience on Earth.

Jean Holm - For example, in Islam, menstruating women are not allowed to touch the Qur’an

Religion force for change

Weber Calvinism- protestant work ethic, doctrine of predestination

Otto Maduro- Liberation thesis religion radicalised catholic clergy to help the poor

Religion social protest

Bruce describes the struggle of the black civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to end racial segregation as an example of religiously motivated social change 

New Christian Right seek to take America ‘back to God’ and make abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage and divorce illegal 

 

Evidence of Secularisation

5% of UK adults attend Sunday church services

Arguments for Securlazstion

Weber’s Protestant Reformation begins the ‘disenchantment’ of the world

Bruce's Scientific worldview encourages people to take religion less seriously

Bruce sees industrialisation as undermining the consensus of religious beliefs that hold small rural communities together.

Berger- Undermines Plausibility structure

Sacred canopy- Has been diminished

Jesus in Disneyland - Lyon argues that religion is going through a process of ‘Disneyfication’ in that it is becoming trivialised and taken less seriously

Arguments against secularization

Davie (2002): ‘Believing Without Belonging & the Privatisation of Religious Practice’

Warner (1993): ‘Religious Economy Theory’

Heelas argues that the world is going through a ‘Spiritual Revolution’. People are getting more involved in New Age ‘Holistic Milieu’ –MindBody Spirituality.

Hellend-online relgion

Postmodern religiosity

Lyon’s view, religion has relocated to the sphere of consumption.  

Helland online religion 

Hervie Leger- Spiritual shoppers

Davie-believing without belonging. 

Fundamentalism is a response to modern society.

Giddens modern society triggered the rise of fundamentalism 

 

Bauman- lack of absolute truth  

 

Castells- resistance identity 

Arguments against fundamentalist is a response

 Huntington (1996) – "Clash of Civilisations"

Bruce (2008): Argues that fundamentalism is not solely a reaction to modernity but rather a defence mechanism against Western cultural imperialism.