beliefs

two definitions of beliefs

substantive definition - defines beliefs in terms of them being true or false

functional definition - defines beliefs in terms of the role and function they have in society

psychological function of beliefs

religion or beliefs serve the role of helping us cope with dangerous or scary situations (existential security)

Malinowski - Functionalist

Trobriand islanders fished in either the open sea or lagoons. when they fished in open sea they used canoe magic because it was more dangerous so they used religion as a comfort. In the lagoon they did not use canoe magic because it was safer. open sea had a high yield of fish whereas the lagoon had a low yield. Malinowski said they were using canoe magic as a psychological comforter to make them feel safe in danger.

Durkheim - Functionalism

• religion creates social solidarity through value consensus

• studied a tribal religion of the Arunta tribe

• he saw value consensus in totems

• carved animals in wooden totems and the community worshipped them and valued the characteristics represented by the animals

the scared and profane (Durkheim)

• all objects, ideas, and values were separated into either the scared or the profane

• profane is ordinary, everyday and forgettable

• sacred is special, significant, taboo and revered

• the totems displayed the sacred ideas. worshipping the totem was worshipping the society

the collective conscience (Durkheim)

• the ritual actions of the society created a collective conscience where right and wrong were understood not individually but collectively across society

Karl Marx view on religion

• described religion as ‘the opiate of the masses’ which means religion is a painkiller

• religion pacifies the w/c so they do not complain about exploitation which allows it to continue without uprising

• religion is a false spiritual compensator - reward for unfair treatment

• the compensation is the afterlife, however this is a false compensator so there is no heaven (according to Marx) and we are just being fooled into staying positive

• Lenin described religion as ‘spiritual gin’ as we get drunk on religion and therefore are easy to exploit

the flowers in the chains

Marx describes religion as the flowers in the chains. we are distracted by religion so we do not notice we are being exploited. the buildings, their decorations, music etc would all help to distract. society was not pleasant at this time, sewage in the streets, disease and poverty meant that when people entered church they would be amazed and in awe of the incense and songs

legitimise inequality

• makes society seem fair

• god made people poor for a reason and so they should accept their position

• in the Caste system in India, karma is built as credit or debit. you are then rewarded or punished in the next life.

• therefore your social situation is fair, as you deserve your position so therefore don’t complain and stay positive

alienation

• to be alienated is to not belong

• alienated from the product because work is repetitive, hard, and we do not see the reward but we are compensated with the promise of religion and so we continue to work and be exploited