Sociology
- Created by: JessieB97
- Created on: 23-09-15 11:15
Substantive Definitions
Focus on content of religious belief
Exclusive- draw clear line between religiougs and non-religious beliefs.
Max Weber(1905)- Religion is a belief in a superior or supernatural power that's above nature and cannot be explained scientifically
Conform to widespread view of religion as a belief in God
Accused of Western bias because they exclude religions such as Buddhism,which do not have the Western idea of God
Functional Definitions
Define religion in terms of social and psychological functions for individuals or society
Emile Durkheim(1915)-defines religion in terms of contribution it makes to social integration
Milton Yinger(1970)- Function of religion for individuals e.g answering 'ultimate questions' about the meaning of life etc
Inclusive- Includes a wide range of beliefs and practices that perform functions like integration
No bias against non-Western religions
Social Constructionist Definitons
Interpretivist approach
How society themselves define religion
Not possible to produce a single universal defintion of religion because individuals and groups mean very different things by religion
Interested in how definitions are constructed, challeged and fought over
Alan Aldridge(2007)- for followers, Scientology is a religion, whereas government don't agree. Defintions are influenced by who has power to define it in the situation
Don't believe religion always involves a belief in God or supernatural
Approach allows them to get close to the meanings people give to religion
Impossible to generalise about nature of religion, people have widely differeing views about what counts as one
Durkheim: Sacred and Profane (Functionalism)
Sacred and Profane:
Sacred things set apart and forbidden and surrounded by taboos
Profane things have no special significance
Religion involves definite rituals or practices in relation to the sacred, and these rituals are collective(performed by social groups)
Sacred things evoke powerful feelings in believers, this is because they are symbols representing something of great power
Believes people in reality are worshipping society itself(only thing powerful enough to command such power)
Sacred symbols unite believers into a single moral community
Durkheim: Totemism (Functionalism)
Studied religion in simplest form-clan society
Studied Australian Aboriginal tribe, Arunta
- Arunta clan consists of bands of kin who come together periodically to perform rituals involving worship of sacred totem
- Totem is clan's emblem, e.g animal or plant
- Totemic rituals reinforce groups solidarity and sense of belonging
When clan members worship their totemic animal, they're subconsciously worshipping society itself
Totem inspires feelings of awe in members because it represents the power of the group on which the individual is dependent
Durkheim: Collective Conscience
Sacred symbols represent groups collective conscience or consciousness
Collective conscience is shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge that make social life and cooperation between individuals possible
Regular shared religious rituals reinforce CC and maintain social integration
Participating in shared rituals reminds members they are part of a single moral community to whom they owe their loyalty
Religion reinvigorates and strengthens us to face life's trials and motivates us to overcome obstacles that would otherwise defeat us
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