Functionalist on religion

What does Durkheim, Parsons, Bellah and Malikowski believe about religion?

Durkheim, Parsons and Bellah argue that religion performs important functions for society, while Malinowksi argues that it performs an important function for the individual. All agree that religion promotes stability and helps to preserve the status quo and prevent upheaval and rapid social change.

Do functionalists believe religion is a conservative or non conservative force and what does it mean?

a conservative force is something, often a social institution like religion, that resists change and works to maintain the existing social order, traditions, and values. This concept applies when these elements promote stability, social solidarity, and the preservation of the status quo by reinforcing norms, traditions, and shared values within a society

Parsons key idea of religion

Religion helps us cope with unforseen events and uncontrollable outcomes (like Malinowski)

Parsons 2 essential functions of religion + example

1. Creates and legitimates societies central values - E.G. America making their core values sacred

2. Primary source of meaning - Answers questions about life that religion cannot.

Evaluation on Parsons

Strengths: Considers the positive functions religion can perform.

Weakness: Neglects negative aspects like oppression and capitalism

Ignores religion as a source of conflict

Patriotism/ nationalism may evoke shared beliefs however, to what extent is it classified as a religion

Malinowski key idea on psychological functions of religion 

Religion promotes social solidarity and psychological functions.

Performs psychological functions during emotional stress that could undermine social solidarity.

According to Malinowski give 2 psychological functions religion performs + example

1. During important but dangerous and uncertain moments - Ocean fishing is an important ritual however is dangerous

2. At times of life crisis - Trobriand find comfort in death by conforming to the idea that souls live on forever.

Bellah’s 2 key ideas on civil religion + example

A civil religion is a belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself.

E.g. ‘One nation under God’.

E.g. Americans make their core beliefs and values sacred such as a protestant religion is not only a belief in God but also a belief in their nation

Evaluate functionalism

• Functionalism emphasises the social nature of religion and its positive functions however ignores it being the source of conflict and division

• Does the idea of people in society universally agreeing on one thing mean religion if it is not supernatural?