Definitions of religion
- Created by: azarif
- Created on: 04-05-18 11:28
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- Theories of Religion
- Functional
- Inclusive- includes a wide range of beliefs that perform functions such as integration
- Criticism: an institution that integrates individuals doesn't make it a religion e.g. collective chanting at football matches integrates people, but it doesn't make it a religion
- 2 functions
- Psychological functions
- Yinger: religion performs functions for individuals e.g. answers ultimate questions about the meaning of life & what happens when we die
- Social functions
- Durkheim: religion functions for wider society i.e. social integration
- Psychological functions
- Substantive
- Belief in God/supernatural
- Exclusive- clear differentiation between religious & non-religious beliefs i.e. a religion must have a belief in God/supernatural
- Criticism: Western bias because it excludes religions i.e. Buddhism which doesn't have the Western idea of God
- Criticism: excludes religions that perform similar functions to religion but doesn't have a belief in God
- Constructionist
- Interpretivist approach- focuses on what meanings people give to religion
- Criticism: acknowledging different views about the nature of religion makes it impossible to define religion
- Doesn't assume that religion always has a belief in God or performs similar functions for everyone in all societies.
- Functional
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