Functionalists theory on religion

What do functionalists believe about religion?

They believe in order for society to function, we need a value consensus (a shard set of norms and values) such as religion or God.

What does Durkheim argue about religion?

Religion is not God but the difference between sacred and profane. Additionally, it is a reflection on your intellectual and cognitive abilities. Religion is the origin of thought, reason & science.

Define sacred and profane

Sacred inspires feelings of awe, wonder and confusion whilst profane does not inspire any feeling, mundane and ordinary.

What is totenism and give an example.

Totenism is the idea of worshipping an object or animal in the hope of finding social solidarity.

For example, Arunta Australian Tribe. They are a clan who worship things like a Red Kangaroo and Plants.

Criticisms of Functionalism

• They ignore religion as a source of division and conflict, especially where there are multiple religions in one society

• They neglect negative aspects of religion such as mysogony

Strengths of functionalism

• Manalowski agrues religion brings conform in times of need such as death

• Bellah argues religion unifies culture and people in society

• Encourages value consenses (shared set of beliefs)

• Strengthens collective conscience ( sense of belonging and identity).

Manalowski psychological functions

Religion helps people cope with emotional stress and social solidarity. He presented 2 types of situations where religion is important:

1. When the outcome is important but uncontrollable and important. For example, the Triaband Tribe did ocean fishing which was unsafe and unpredictable, but used religion to guide them to safety, in oppose to lagoon fishin which was safe and predictable.

2. At times of major life crisis such as births, deaths, puberty and marriage.

Parsons definition of religion

Parsons sees 2 functions to religion

1. it creates and normalises socities values and norms by making them sacred. For instance America cade their core values of self disipline , individualism and meritocracy sacred

2. It provides source of meaning. Gives answers science cannot and provides sense of security and safety.

Bellah definition on religon

He was interested in how religion civil religions. He would look into how countries like America, and how they would combinde their belief system into not only God but also their country. This is shown through traditions and rituals suvh as the pledge of alligance or the phrase ‘One nation under God’.

Define civil religion

Belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself