Functionalism and Religion

Durkheim views

Religion maintains social order and creates collective conscience. The world is divided into 2 - ‘sacred’ and ‘profane’.

Durkheim study

Studies totemism, where a totem is a symbol of God and society, and creates a moral code. So in worshipping god, you are actually worshipping society.

Malinowski views

Religion reinforces social norms and promotes social solidarity. The function of religion is to cope with emotional stresses, problems and anxieties

Malinowski study

Studied Trobriand Islands. Native people had ceremonies using religion to deal with emotional crisis in life, shows religion is a comfort

Parsons views

Humans actions are directed and controlled by norms created by religion (positive thing). Religion serves to solve problems of:

• Unforeseen events

• Uncertainty

Bellah views

Civil religion is binding similarities between peoples religions, providing social solidarity despite differences

Bellah example

In the USA, Americanism brings people together through the nations values.

Criticisms of Functionalist perspective

• Ignores dysfunctional aspects of religion

• Birbaum doesn’t see coronation as significant as merely a holiday

• Can’t explain social change - can resist social order rather than conform to it