functionalist role of religion

what kind of force do functionalists see religion as and why

a conservative force - it promotes social harmony, integration and solidarity through reinforcement of the value consensus

what does Durkheim believe the role of religion is

religion binds people together like ‘social glue’ - it creates and maintains the value consensus, order and solidarity in society

how does Durkheim define sacred and profane

sacred - something worthy to be worshipped (sacred and special)

profane - something ordinary and part of the day to day

what is an example of the distinction between the sacred and profane

the Maradona Church after Argentina footballer Maradona - treated by followers like a real religion and church

what was found from the study of Australian Aborigines

clans come together periodically to perform rituals involving the worship of a sacred totem (the clan’s emblem) - these rituals reinforce solidarity and their sense of belonging

what was Durkheim’s view of the totem worship

when they worship the totemic symbol they’re in reality worshipping society - unaware of this and inspires feelings of awe

what does Malinowski argue is the function of religion

he agrees with Durkheim that religion promotes solidarity but says it does so by performing a psychological function for individuals (helps cope with emotional stress)

what are the two types of situation where religion performs the psychological role

1) where the outcome is important but uncontrollable/uncertain

2) at times of crisis (e.g. birth, marriage, puberty, death - mark major and disruptive changes in social groups)

what study supports the first situation

Trobriand Islanders (Western Pacific) - focus of the contrast between lagoon fishing (safe) and ocean fishing (dangerous)

ocean fishing is accompanied by ‘canoe magic’ - a ritual for safety and filling gaps of control

how does religion perform a psychological function in the second situation

it helps to minimise disruption

e.g. funeral rituals reinforce solidarity and provide comfort (Malinowski says death is the key reason for religious belief)

what does Parsons say the role of religion is

it helps individuals to cope with unforeseen events and uncontrollable outcomes

what 2 other functions that religion performs in society does Parsons identify

1) creates and legitimates society’s central values

2) acts as the primary source of meaning

how does religion create and legitimate values and what’s an example of this

by sacralising them

e.g. USA Protestantism has sacralised core American values of individualism, meritocracy, self-discipline - promotes value consensus and social solidarity

how does religion act as the primary source of meaning

it answers ‘ultimate’ questions about the human condition (e.g. explains suffering)

it enables people to adjust to adverse events/circumstances and helps maintain stability

what was Bellah’s focus when studying the role of religion

he focused on what unifies a multi-faith society

argues that civil religion unifies American society (a belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society) - in America the civil religion is a faith in Americanism

what did Bellah argue about civil religion

it integrates society in a way that denominations and churches can’t - it claims loyalty of all Americans

argues that both loyalty to the nation state and a belief in God make a true American - expressed in various rituals =, symbols and beliefs

it sacralises the American way of life and binds together Americans from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds

what is a strength of the functionalist view of religion

evidence for the psychological function - people turn to religion in difficult situations (e.g. war, 9/11, etc)

what are 2 limitations of the functionalist

it stretches the definition of religion too far (e.g. Americanism doesn’t contain the belief in a higher supernatural being - not a religion in its own right)

evidence suggests a rise in secularisation over the last 20 years (religion isn’t acting like social glue)