durkhiem believed the key feature of religion
was not a belief in gods or the supernatural but
a fundemental distinction between the sacred
and profane
SACRED: Things that are set apart and
forbbiden, that inspire a feeling of awe,
fear and wonder. they are surrounded
by taboos and prohibitions
Profane are items
with no special
significance.
what is sacred and what is profane is percieved.
totemism
the collective conscience
cognitive funtions of religion
Psychological functions
Parsons: values and meaning
Civil religion
Can argue that Civil religion really
isnt a religion
Evaluation
neglects the negative aspects of
religion e.g source of oppression
for women
Ignores how religion is a sorce
of division and conflict e.g
Ireland