Theories of Religion - Religion as a conservative force

What is meant by a conservative force?

A conservative force maintains or seeks to restore traditional beliefs and maintains the status quo

This also involves building and maintaining social solidarity by protecting traditional values and the existing state of affairs

FUNCTIONALISM AND RELIGION

The functionalist perspective sees religion as a conservative force, promoting social harmony, social integration and social solidarity through reinforcing the value consensus.

This perspective is concerned with analysing the role of religion in meeting the functional prerequisites - Religion is viewed as part of the culture or way of life and it helps maintain cultural traditions

DURKHEIM - Believed religious institutions play a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and solidarity

    → Religion binds people together like ‘social glue’
    All societies distinguish between:

  •  Sacred - objects, rituals and people that are regarded as having special significance and are treated with awe and respect

  • Profane - objects, activities and people that are ordinary, everyday and not treated as special

    However, Durkheim believed there was nothing intrinsically special about sacred     objects; they are made special because they are symbolic to particular social     groups

    Totemism - Studied among the central Australian Arunta tribes of aborigines. Argued that totemism (worshipping a sacred object) represented religion in its most basic form. Totems are created by society and represent the values central to the community, when worshipping a totem, people are worshipping society. Totemism acts as a social glue, that binds people together and builds bonds; sharing beliefs give them sacred quality and creates collective conscience, therefore acting as a conservative force in promoting social cohesion.

    Collective Conscience - Religious rituals reinforce collective conscience and prevent any damaging rapid social change, rituals and ceremonies are essential in binding society together.

MALINOWSKI - Religion reinforces social norms but also provides explanations for events that are difficult to explain and creates security in times of uncertainty.

MARXISTS → recognise religious ideas can have relative autonomy - can be independent of the economics base meaning religion can have dual character