Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Assess the View That the Main Function of Religious Belief Is to Promote Social Stability free essay sample
Substantive definition (Max Weber) defines religion as a belief in a god or supernatural power, however this excludes Buddhism Functional definition (Emile Durkheim) defines religion as performing social or psychological functions of social integration, however this definition also applies to football fans. PARA 1: Functionalist agree: Durkheim ââ¬â religious institutions help maintain social stability ââ¬â distinguish between sacred ( things that inspire feeling of awe/wonder ) and profane (things that are ordinary and mundane) * Religion involves rituals in relation to the sacred ââ¬â when people worshiping symbols they are actually worshiping society ââ¬â all sacred symbols perform the function of uniting communities * Totemism (the practice of worshipping sacred objects) ââ¬â Arunta tribe worship totem together and this creates shared identity and a sense of belonging that Durkheim calls collective conscience. HOWEVER in contemporary society there is a range of beliefs which can cause friction, keeping communities apart and posing a threat to social stability. PARA 2: * Functionalist agree: Malinowski ââ¬â religion performs psychological functions, provides explanations and comport in situations of uncertainty e. We will write a custom essay sample on Assess the View That the Main Function of Religious Belief Is to Promote Social Stability or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page g in life crisis such as Death * Religion fulfils a need for security and relieves situations of emotional stress which could otherwise threaten social stability. Trobriand Islanders use rituals such as ââ¬Ëcanoe magicââ¬â¢ when ocean fishing to ensure safety on a dangerous task. * HOWEVER â⬠¦ PARA 3: * Marxists Disagree: Religion functions serve capitalism. Karl Marx ââ¬â sees religion as an ideology that is used as a weapon by the ruling class to justify suffering of poor as ââ¬Ëgod-givenââ¬â¢ * Religion misleads poor into thinking they will be rewarded in the afterlife for their suffering ââ¬â creates ââ¬Ëfalse consciousnessââ¬â¢ * Lenin describes religion as the ââ¬Ëspiritual ginââ¬â¢ which manipulates the masses to keep them from overthrowing the ruling class. HOWEVER: Marxists ignore the positive functions ââ¬â too deterministic. Neo-Marxists argue that some forms of religion can assist class consciousness PARA 4: * Feminists Disagree: religion functions as a patriarchal ideology, it legitimates the subordination of women. * Evidence of patriarchy: religious organisations ââ¬â male dominated, Karen Armstrong, womenââ¬â¢s exclusion from priesthood. Place of Worship ââ¬â segregation of sexes, Jean Holm, in Islam menstruating women canââ¬â¢t attend prayer, devalues women. Religious Laws and Customs ââ¬â women given fewer rights and legitimates women domestic/reproductive role, Woodhead, Catholic Church bans abortion and contraception, unease with women. * HOWEVER: El Saadawi argues that patriarchy impacted religion. Patriarchy made men reinterpret religion to oppress women, the rise of monotheism gave men more power. Woodhead ââ¬â feminists use religion to gain freedom e. g. the hijab is a symbol of liberation for Muslim women. CONC: Secularisation: In modern society religion is having less influence ââ¬â Robin Gill asked people ââ¬Å"Would you describe yourself as being of any religion or denomination? â⬠in 1950 23% replied no but in 1996 43% said no ââ¬â on the whole religion has little function in society whether it is to maintain social stability or oppress workers/women * Postmodernism: Religions have no one main function in society e. g. social stability ââ¬â people now choose the function they wish religion to have in their life ââ¬â spiritual shopping/ Pick and Mix.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment