Functional definition

Polythetic - define religion as creating a list of possible characteristics that make up a religion

Substance definition

Durkheim (1858-1917) - defines religion in terms of the contributions it makes to social integration rather than to any God or supernatural

Durkheim claimed that all societies divide the world into two broad categories - the sacred (awe and respect) and the profane (the non-sacred/banal)

Durkheim used secondary data gathered by anthropologists who studied Aboriginal Australians to develop his theory of Totemism

Malinowski (1954) - states that religion promotes social solidarity by dealing with emotional stress that may threaten the stability of society

Papua New Guinea study- fishing on home territory = no ritual - fishing on open sea = ritual used for protection
Rituals provide protection and comfort