Functionalist Theory of Religion

Functionalist Theory of Religion

1. Durkheim

   • Religion is a distinction between sacred and profane
     • Sacred = Set apart, forbidden, inspires awe and wonder
     • Profane = No significance
   • When people worship, they are worshipping society itself.
     • All Symbols unite believers into a 'single moral community'
   • Totemism
     • Arunta clan = Kin coming together worship a sacred totem
     • They worship society, totem represents the power of the group
   • Collective Conscience
     • Shared norms and values that make co-operation possible.
     • Shared religious rituals remind individuals of the single moral community that they should be loyal to
     • Gives individuals motivation to overcome obstacles
   • Source of conceptual thinking, origin of human thought, reason and science
   • Criticisms
     • Durkheim theories can be applied to smaller societies, but doesn't explain the conflict between views in larger ones
     • Mestrovic (PostMod): Increased diversity has fragmented collective conscience. No longer single shared values

2. Psychological Functions

   • Malinowski (1954): Helps individuals cope with emotional stress:
     • Where the outcome of a situation is uncertain
     • Minimises disruption in a life crisis: Death is the main reason for religious belief

3. Parsons (1967)

   • Religion creates and legitimises society's central values
     • Legitimises norms and values by making them sacred. E.g. In US, protestantism involves values of individualism, meritocracy and self-discipline.
   • It is the primary source of meaning
     • Answers questions such as why good people suffer or why people die young. Helps people adjust and maintains stability

4. Civil Religion

   • Bellah (1970)
     • Civil Religion = attaching sacred qualities to society itself. E.g, Americanism
       • Loyalty to nation state and flag.

5. Evaluation

   • Neglects the view that religion is a source of oppression on women and the poor
   • Ignores religion as a source of conflict, especially in places with many religions such as Northern Ireland
   • Civil religion is not actually religion if there is no supernatural belief