Totemism

Durkheim studied the practice of totemism amongst the central Australian Arunta tribe of aborigines.
A totem is an object such as a tree or an animal that has divine properties which is usually named after the name of the tribe or group. ØWhen worshipping the totem, people are really worshipping society.
Religious belief such as totemism, ceremonies and rituals, act as a kind of social glue which binds people together.
During these times GROUP SOLIDARITY is affirmed and heightened.
The continued acts of group worship and celebration through ritual and ceremony serves to forge GROUP IDENTITY and create and promote SOCIAL COHERSION.

Collective conscience

The COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE is the shared norms, values, belief and knowledge that make social life and co-operation between individuals possible.
For Durkheim, shared regular religious rituals reinforce the collective conscience and maintain social integration, therefore preventing any damaging social change.

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A-Level Sociology Slide Set on Functionalism and religion, created by alexk2 on 22/06/2016.

Functionalism and religion