Functionalist views of religion

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  • Created by: Calnat
  • Created on: 02-01-24 15:15
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  • Functionalist theories of religion
    • Durkheim (1858-1917)
      • the sacred = things that are set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder - are surrounded by taboos and prohibitations
        • the profane = ordinary and mundane things
      • religion = a set of rules but also rituals and practices in relation to the sacred - performed collectively
      • COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE
        • sacred symbols reflect collective conscience - norms and values that make cooperation between individuals possible - w/o these symbols, society would disintegrate
      • TOTEMISM
        • studied the Arunta (aboriginal australian tribe with a clan system
        • bands of kin come together to worship a totem - has symbols of society on it (the clans emblems)
        • by worshiping the totem they are worshiping society - inspires feelings of awe bc it represents the power of the group of which individuals are 'utterly dependent' on
      • COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS
        • religion is the reason we can think conceptually
        • religion has provided categories such as time, space, cause, substance, number
        • the categories religion ahs made allows others to communicate their thoughts because all categories are shared
    • Psychological functions
      • Malinowski (1954)= religion helps people cope with emotional stress that usually undermines solidarity
        • 2 different types of situation where religion performs a role adapting to emotional stress
          • Where the outcome is important but uncontrollable and therefore uncertain - studied Triobrand islanders in western pacific
            • ocean fishing is accompanied by canoe magic to ensure a safe edpedition - gives a sense of control to fishgers
            • lagoon fishing - predictable and sucessful method of poising so no ritual used
          • At times of life crisis
            • Birth, death, pubity, marriage and death - religion helps minimise disriuption
              • funeral rituals reinforce feeling of solidarity amongst survivors
                • death = main reason for religion
    • Parsons: values and meaning
      • 2 essential functions that religion performs in modern society
        • creates and legitimates society's central values
          • sacrilises societies norrms and values
            • protestanism has sacrilised core american values of indivisulaism - promotes value consensus and social stability
        • its the primary source of meaning
          • answers the ultimate questions - why the good suffer and young die
          • legitimates suffering by saying it is a test if faith that will be rewarded in heaven
    • Civil religion
      • Robert Bellah - religion unifies society (especially a multi faith society like America
      • Civil religion =  Americanism or american way of life - loyalty to the nation state and a belief in God
      • expressed in rituals like pledge of allegiance, national anthem and the Lincoln memorial
    • Functional alternatives
      • other groups  like Nazis in Germany or the Soviet union weren't based on religious beliefs but still united society

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