Defining Religion
Substantive Definitions focus on the content or substance ofreligious belief
such as belief in God or the supernatural
Weberdefines religion as being a belief in superior
supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be
explained scientifically
defined as exclusive meaning that
they draw a clear
line between religious and non religious beliefs
Examples of religions according to this definition Islam
Christianity
Buddhism
Judaism
Limitations of this definition ofreligion what about religions where theydo
believe in God
Functional Definitions Defined in terms of the social or psycological functio
it performs for society
Durkheim definesreligion in terms of the contribution
it makes to social integration
A religious organisation can be anything that unites
people together in a cohesive communitywith a
collective conscience
Examples of religions according to this definition
9ftp.anity
Buddhism
Judaism
Limitations of this definition of religion Misleading where does it end
e.gfootball concerts
Social constructionism definitions focus on how members of society themselves defin
religion
argue that it is not possible toproduce a single
Universal definition of religion sinceindividuals
and groups have different understandings of what
counts as a religion
Limitations of this definition of religion too subjective
, Functionalism
Summarisation of functionalist views on the role of religion in society
The functionalist perspective sees religion as mainly a conservative
force promoting social harmony social integration andSocial solidarity
through the reinforlement of the value consensus a widespread
agreement around the main values of a society which is the basis of
social order The functionalist perspective is essentially concerned with
analysing the role of religion in meeting the functionalist prerequisites or
basicneeds that society has in order to survive Forexample society can
only survive if people share at least some common beliefs about right
and wrong behaviourReligion is part of the culture or
way of life of a
Society and it helps to maintain traditions and establish the basic rules of
social life
For Durkheim the most important feature of religion was thedistinction
between what he called the sacred and profane
Sacred refers tothings which are extremely special to religious followers as the
Symbolise something of great power within their belief system
Examples include cross Rosarybeads Hijab sage Holywater Crystals
Profane refers to everyday mundane.gg andsymbols which
have no special meaning or s Idnigyay enets
Examples include toothbrush folder hairbrush Clock
Define Collective Conscience Ourshared views of norms values and beliefs
Evaluation of Durkheim
Durkheim exaggerates importance ofreligion in modern societies
UKhasexperienced Secularisation Where there has been a decline in Christian religious
practices and belief
However UK society largely remains stable and orderly despite the reduction in religio
control
Therefore perhaps not asimportant in maintaining social stability
Difficulttoseehowreligion functions tosocialise most society's members into
morality andsocial integration if only a minority of peopleregularly attend church
Conflictperspectives suchas Marxistsand feminists point out that religiondoesnot
serve thepurpose of bringing people togetherin Solidarity
Regard it as an oppresineforce which benefits some groups at the expense
of others
Substantive Definitions focus on the content or substance ofreligious belief
such as belief in God or the supernatural
Weberdefines religion as being a belief in superior
supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be
explained scientifically
defined as exclusive meaning that
they draw a clear
line between religious and non religious beliefs
Examples of religions according to this definition Islam
Christianity
Buddhism
Judaism
Limitations of this definition ofreligion what about religions where theydo
believe in God
Functional Definitions Defined in terms of the social or psycological functio
it performs for society
Durkheim definesreligion in terms of the contribution
it makes to social integration
A religious organisation can be anything that unites
people together in a cohesive communitywith a
collective conscience
Examples of religions according to this definition
9ftp.anity
Buddhism
Judaism
Limitations of this definition of religion Misleading where does it end
e.gfootball concerts
Social constructionism definitions focus on how members of society themselves defin
religion
argue that it is not possible toproduce a single
Universal definition of religion sinceindividuals
and groups have different understandings of what
counts as a religion
Limitations of this definition of religion too subjective
, Functionalism
Summarisation of functionalist views on the role of religion in society
The functionalist perspective sees religion as mainly a conservative
force promoting social harmony social integration andSocial solidarity
through the reinforlement of the value consensus a widespread
agreement around the main values of a society which is the basis of
social order The functionalist perspective is essentially concerned with
analysing the role of religion in meeting the functionalist prerequisites or
basicneeds that society has in order to survive Forexample society can
only survive if people share at least some common beliefs about right
and wrong behaviourReligion is part of the culture or
way of life of a
Society and it helps to maintain traditions and establish the basic rules of
social life
For Durkheim the most important feature of religion was thedistinction
between what he called the sacred and profane
Sacred refers tothings which are extremely special to religious followers as the
Symbolise something of great power within their belief system
Examples include cross Rosarybeads Hijab sage Holywater Crystals
Profane refers to everyday mundane.gg andsymbols which
have no special meaning or s Idnigyay enets
Examples include toothbrush folder hairbrush Clock
Define Collective Conscience Ourshared views of norms values and beliefs
Evaluation of Durkheim
Durkheim exaggerates importance ofreligion in modern societies
UKhasexperienced Secularisation Where there has been a decline in Christian religious
practices and belief
However UK society largely remains stable and orderly despite the reduction in religio
control
Therefore perhaps not asimportant in maintaining social stability
Difficulttoseehowreligion functions tosocialise most society's members into
morality andsocial integration if only a minority of peopleregularly attend church
Conflictperspectives suchas Marxistsand feminists point out that religiondoesnot
serve thepurpose of bringing people togetherin Solidarity
Regard it as an oppresineforce which benefits some groups at the expense
of others
