Religion Definitions

• Focus on the content/substance of religious belief 
• Belief in God/ supernatural 

Weber (1905) 

• religion= 'belief in superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically' 

• Substantive definitions are exclusive; distinguish between religious and non-religious beliefs 
• To be a religion, beliefs must include a belief in God or supernatural 
• Conform to a widespread view of religionas belief in God 

however 

• this leaves no room for belief and practices and that perform similar functions to religion, but don't believe in God 
• Western bias- exclude religions that don't have western concept of 'God' (e.g. Buddhism) 

• Defines religion in terms of the social/psychological functions it performs for society 

Durkhiem (1915) 

• defines religion in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration, rather than any specific belief in God/ supernatural 

Yinger (1970) 

• identifies functions religion performs for individuals 
• answering 'ultimate questions' (e.g. meaning of life)

• Functional definitions are inclusive, allow to include a wide range of beliefs and practices (e.g. integration)
• There is no bias against non-Western religions (doesn't specify belief in God) 

however 

• just because a group integrates doesn't make it a religion. 

• Interpretivist approach; focusing on how members of society define religon 
• Not possible to produce a single universal definition 
• Different individuals and groups have different definitions of religion 
• Social constructionist are interested in how definitions of religion are constructed 

Aldridge (2007) 

• Scientiology is a religion for followers, but banned by many governments. Denied legal status.
• Definitions of religion can be contested and influence by those who have power to define.

• Social constructionists don't assume religion involves a belief in God/supernatural .Or that it performs similar functions for everyone in all societies 
• Allows to get close to all meanings 

however 

• Can't generalise about nature of religion, since many people have different views about religion.