functionalist theories

society

• system that had interrelated parts that work together for social order, stability and solidarity

• society is an organism (organic analogy)

• need for social order and solidarity society members can cooperate

• value consensus - shared norms and values

• without people would be selfish

durkheim

• sacred - items that are set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder - taboo and prohibitions. powerful feelings. people are worshipping society itself. united believers into single moral community

• profane - items with no special significance because they are ordinary and mundane

sacred

• items that are set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder - taboo and prohibitions

• powerful feelings. people are worshipping society itself. united believers into single moral community

profane

• items with no special significance because they are ordinary and mundane

totemism

• durkheim studied aboriginal Australian tribe with a clan system

• consists of bands of kin who come together periodically to worship a sacred totem

• the totem is the clans emblem

• reinforces solidarity and sense of belonging

• worshipping society even if we are not aware of

• inspires feelings of awe

• individuals are utterly dependent

collective conscience

• sacred symbols represent society’s collective consciousness

• shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge

• shared religious rituals reinforce collective conscience

• rituals bind individuals together

• single moral community

• feel part of something greater

cognitive functions of religion

• religion as a source of intellectual to cognitive capabilities - reason and think

• categories are needed eg space, time, cause, number

• concepts and categories we need for reasoning and understanding the world

• origin of human though, reason and science

ao3

• no sharp division between sacred and profane

• cannot apply to societies with 2+ religions

• increased diversity means no long a shared value consensus

• outdated theory

psychological functions

• malinowski

1. where the outcome is important but is uncontrollable and uncertain

• Lagoon fishing is safe and uses the predictable

• Ocean fishing is dangerous and uncertain and is always accompanied by canoe magic - rituals to ensure a safe and successful expedition. This gives people a sense of control, which eases tension

2. life crises e.g. birth, puberty, marriage, death etc

parsons

1. Religion creates and legitimates society’s basic norms and values by sacralising them

2. It is the primary source of meaning. Religion also provides a source of meaning, it answers ultimate questions about the human condition

• civil religion integrates society in a way that America’s many different churches and denominations cannot

• loyalty to the nation-state and a belief in God, both of which are equated with being a true American

• eg pledging allegiance

functional alternatives

• non-religious beliefs and practices that perform functions similar to those of organised religion

• e.g reinforcing shared values or maintaining social cohesion.