Beliefs- defining religion

Why must you look at religion on a global context

The world is interconnecting, your view would be distorted if you only looked at Britain and the west

What are the issues in defining religion

There is great diversity so it is difficult to apply a single definition
Western sociologists are focused on Christianity so their definitions can be regarded as Christocentric

Substantive/exclusive definitions

Focus on what religion is
All religions distinguish between the profane and the sacred
A clear line is drawn between religions and non religions
To be a religion a set of beliefs must include a supernatural being/God

Weber and substantive definitions

Religion is a belief in a supernatural or superior power that is above nature and cant be described scientifically

Criticisms of substantive definitions

Christocentric
Not clear what is defined as supernatural
Western bias (eg. Buddhism does not include a god)

Functional/inclusive definitions

Durkheim- Religion is defined by the contribution is makes to society and social integration rather than any specific belief in a God
Yinger- Religion is defined by the contribution it makes to the individual such as answering 'ultimate questions' eg. what is the purpose of life

Strengths of functional definitions

More inclusive than substantive definitions

Criticisms of functional definitions

Too broad eg. could be applied to football matches

Civil religion

An event or activity resembling the devotion required, in respects to its followers, but lack a spiritual, superhuman being

Social constructionist definitions

Durkheim and Marx- religions is a human product, religions have been created to explain the unexplained, for social integration and justifying inequality.
Interested in how number of society define religion and how definitions are fought over, constructed and challenged

Strengths of social constructionist

Religion doesn't have to involve the supernatural or have the same definitions for everyone
Allows sociologists to understand what religion means to the individual

Weakness' of social constructionist

Impossible to generalise if the definition is based on the individual

Alan Aldrige

Explains how, for its followers, Scientology is a religion but, several governments have dismissed it legally as a religion and some have tried to ban it. This shows definitions can be influenced by who has the power in the situation

Church

A religious organisation (capital C)

Denomination

A group of religious congregations having its own organisation and a distinctive faith

Sect

A group of people who break away from a larger, established religious denomination because of a set of beliefs that differ in some key ways.

Cult

A cult is descried to possess belief systems that do not usually involve a God or gods and often will tolerate and accept alternative belief systems.

Animism

Found in non-industrial societies
Spiritual forces shape the world
Natural forms contain a spirit
Eg. Aztecs, Incans, Paganism, elements are found in Hinduism

How many followers did Paganism have in the 2011 census

53,000

Toteism

Animism can be expressed through Toteism
Images are carved onto poles and stones and these are then worshipped
Includes natural forms
Durkheim argues all religions have elements of Toteism

Theism

Belief in a sacred, omnipotent, higher and controlling power
Can be monotheistic or poly theistic
Buddhism is not theistic as the main goal is to achieve inner peace not to worship God