Theories of Religion

defining religion
1. functional definitions
  1. inclusive
    1. may be overly so
      1. eg. collective chanting provides a social integration function, but is not a religious belief
  2. social and psychological functions religion provides for society/the individual
  3. Durkheim (1915)
    1. defines religion by its contribution to social integration
  4. Yinger (1970)
    1. functions that religion provides for individuals
      1. eg. answers 'ultimate' questions
2. substantive definitions
  1. content/substance of religion
    1. eg. belief in God or the supernatural
  2. exclusive
    1. Western bias (excludes religions without a God)
  3. Weber (1905)
    1. defines religion as belief in a supernatural or superior power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically
3. social constructionist definitions
  1. interpretivist
  2. how members of society define religion
    1. no universal definition
      1. inclusive, but hard to generalise
  3. Aldridge (2007)
    1. Scientology
functionalist theories of religion
1. general functionalism
  1. society is made up of interrelated institutions
  2. social cooperation/solidarity is produced by a value consensus
2. claim that religion plays a part in maintaining a value consensus
3. Durkheim (1915)
  1. the sacred and the profane
    1. sacred: objects associated with the religion, set apart and forbidden, surrounded by taboos
    2. profane: objects with no special significance
    3. a religion is a set of beliefs accompanied by rituals and practices, associated with sacred objects
      1. sacred objects evoke such powerful feelings in followers, they may be symbols representing something of great power
        Durkheim believes that they may be symbols of the society itself
      2. although sacred symbols vary between religions, they all provide the same function of uniting society into a single moral community
  2. totemism
    1. Arunta, aboriginal tribe
      1. clan system, clans come together to perform collective rituals involving the worship of a sacred totem representative of their clan histories
        Durkheim claims that they are worshipping their own society
  3. the collective conscience
    1. sacred symbols represent a society's collective conscience
      1. Durkheim claims that regular shared religious rituals helps to reinforce the collective conscience
        may also make individuals feel part of something bigger and worthwhile
  4. cognitive functions of religion
    1. in order to think, we need categories such as time, space, cause, number, etc. and we need to be able to share these categories with others
      1. Durkheim and Mauss (1903)
        argue that religion provides categories, so is the basis of reasoning and intelligent thought

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