...DIFFERENT SOCIAL GROUPS HAVE DIFFERENT SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS AND USE RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS TO WHAT EXTENT DO SOCIOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS AND EVIDENCE SUPPORT THIS VIEW? There are many different social groups within society and many different reasons why one would join a religion and follow a certain belief. Religiosity is related to age, gender, and social acts. Religion take help many people solve underlying problems where people are experiencing anomie. Religion can be defined in many different ways such as Weber defining it as a belief in a superior or supernatural power that cannot be explained through science. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the extent to which sociological arguments and evidence support the view that different groups have different social and spiritual needs and use religion and religious organisations in very different ways. Religiosity varies by age, this can be due to many different reasons such as the amount of time one has to participate and commit to a set belief. People younger than 15 and over 65 are more likely to be involved in a religious activity; however participation by those under the age of 15 takes part in the form of Sunday school and religious playgroups. Therefore, this portrays that they may have been brought up by their primary caregiver mother to attend Sunday school since they were young so attending is part of their weekly routine. As well, the elderly (over 65) are most likely...
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...belonging is a term used by Davie to describe the fact religion is becoming more privatised, as people have more choice in religious practices that they felt obligated to follow in the past. Many sociologists, such as Davie, argue that religion is not declining; it is just taking an alternate form – such as believing without belonging. Spiritual shopping, a term used by Hervieu-Leger, and ‘Jesus in Disneyland’ are two other ways in which religion is taking on a different relationship within society today. However, other theorists argue that the belief in religion is in fact declining in society, as illustrated by structural differentiation. Weber and disenchantment also support this idea, as well as Functionalists who state that religion involved belonging as well as believing. Firstly, Davie argues that today’s society is trending toward ‘vicarious religion’, where a small number of professional clergy practice religion on behalf of a much larger number of people, who experience it second hand. Even though church attendance may be declining, religious belief is still strong as many people still use the church for rites of passage (e.g. a wedding or a christening). Bibby found that 25% of Canadians attended church regularly, yet 80% of people said they held religious beliefs. Indicating that less people feel obligated to attend church and obey traditional religious teachings, they are able to still have faith in religion but within their private sphere of the home. Similarly...
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... a) Identify and briefly explain some of the ways in which religion could be said to ‘exert social control over the members of society’ (June2006) b) Identify and briefly explain some of the ways in which functionalists see religion meeting the needs of society and / or individuals. (June 2007) New syllabus: 12 mark questions a)Using material from item a and elsewhere, briefly examine the extent to which religion can still be said to be functional for individuals and society (June 2002) b) Briefly examine the evidence and or arguments in favour of the view that religion can act as a force for change in society (June 2006) c) Briefly examine post-modernist views on the nature and role of religion (June 2007) NEW SYLLABUS: 40 mark essay questions • Assess the role and functions of religious institutions and movements in contemporary society. (40) Sample A2 paper (Issued May 2000) • Evaluate the view that religion acts as a conservative force in modern society (40) Jun 2001 “The main function of religion is to provide people with a code of behaviour which regulates personal and social life.” Assess the extent to which sociological arguments and evidence support this view of religion in modern society (40) January 2002 Assess and evaluate the relationship between religion and social change. (40) Jan 2003 Assess the view that in most societies, religion functions more to cause conflict than to bring about harmony...
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...to whether sociologists believe religion does or does not inhibit social change will be discussed throughout this essay. Whereas sociologists such as Functionalist and Marxists believe that religion acts as a conservative force, thus inhibiting social change whether that is positive or negative, others believe that religion is a radical force and a major contributor to social change Firstly, functionalists believe that religion socialises its members through promoting shared norms, values and morals which prevent change as it promotes integrity and social solidarity. Functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons argue that life is impossible without the shared norms, values and morals enforced in society and without them, believe that society would fail. Durkheim sees religion as having traditional conservative beliefs about moral issues and many oppose changes that would allow individuals more freedom in their personal lives for example, the Catholic Church forbids divorce and abortion etc. This supports the idea that religion inhibits change because it upholds the functionalist ideology of ‘family values’ and often favour the more traditional and out-dated ideas of family such as the patriarchal domestic division of labour. However, it is hard to see how religion can socialise the majority of society and stop social change from happening when in today’s society, only a minority of people regularly attend church or believe in a traditional religion. Furthermore, Functionalist...
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...“Religion can be both a conservative force and an initiator of social change” to what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this view? Sociologists such as Durkheim and Marx have argued that religion is a conservative force in the sense that it maintains the status quo, disagreeing with sociologists such as Weber and Gramsci who say it is a more radical force and prompts change, and even some fundamentalist groups have gotten involved to argue that religion is conservative in the sense that it keeps tradition and the old ways. Even feminists such as De Beauvoir have had a say in this matter. Functionalists and Marxists have the general consensus that religion maintains the status quo within society rather than it causing social change. They believe that religion acts as a conservative force preventing social change. However, if any change happens it is due to the changes in society that shape religion. Religion as a conservative force can be defined in two ways; the first way of defining religion as a conservative force is to refer to religion as preventing change and maintaining the status quo. The functionalist perspective and Marxists perspective both provide arguments to support this definition of religion as a conservative force. Durkheim supports the idea that religion is a conservative force with his idea of a collective conscience, which is the shared morals and beliefs uniting society. Durkheim believed that "religion promotes social solidarity."...
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...Function of Religion Is to Promote Social Stability – (33 Marks) The main sociologists that support the view that the main functions of religious beliefs is to promote social stability are functionalists. They believe that religion performs functions and helps society, this is because society’s most basic need is the need for social order and solidarity so that its members can cooperate and to do this there needs to be value consensus, which without this individuals in society would pursue their own selfish desires and society would disintegrate. One functionalist that supports this argument is Durkheim which he states that religion and its institutions play a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and solidarity. He distinguishes the difference between the sacred and the profane. He says that the sacred are the things set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions. By contrast, the profane are things that have no special significance. Therefore a religion is never simply a set of beliefs. It also involves definite rituals or practices on relation to the sacred and these rituals are collective which are performed by social groups. The fact that sacred things create such powerful feelings, Durkheim suggests this is because they are symbols representing something of great power and he says that this great power is society itself. Even though sacred symbols vary from religion to religion...
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...Religion can be both a conservative force and an initiator of social change”. To what extent to sociological arguments/evidence support this view. The view that religion acts as a conservative force stems from the structuralist theories of Functionalism and Marxism. Both see religion as facilitating the existence of society in its current form, although their views do differ substantially. For the Functionalist Emile Durkheim, religion, like many other social institutions, acts in the same way as one of the body’s vital organs, in that it “keeps society alive”. In other words, religion has a number of functions that serve the purpose of maintaining social stability and harmony. For example, functionalists believe that through the act of collective worship in the form of religious practices, religion helps bond and unite individuals; it acts as a “social glue” that promotes value consensus and social solidarity. Functionalists see religion as a conservative force in that it helps to integrate individuals and allows them to realise the “collective conscience” (a set of moral codes and values). In contrast, Marxists see religion as acting as a conservative force by preventing revolutionary change. In Marx’s words, “religion dampens the flames of working class revolution”; acting as an “opiate” which makes a life of ruling class oppression more bearable. For example, Engels claimed that the appeal of Christianity lies in the hope of “salvation from bondage and misery”. Those who...
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...view that sociological arguments and evidence support functionalist views of the role and functions of religion in contemporary society. Functionalists see society as based upon consensus, where each institution functions to help society work together as a whole with shared ways of thinking and behaving. One example of this is the Ten Commandments which include a number of the principles highlighted in the U.K law system. As a result of this, functionalists such as Durkheim and Parsons see religion as a means of integration and social control within society. They believe that the shared rituals and collective worship of religion help reinforce the consensual values and norms of society, and that without these shared values society could not function. Sociologist Bellah believes that there is a much stronger sense of consensus values in the USA, where strong religious roots are very apparent through American’s worshipping of the flag, thus worshipping their country. Parsons however still believes that this can also be seen in Britain. Functionalists also see religion as a form of social control, providing religious backing and answers for society's rules, so people will abide by them. Functionalists such as Malinowski also believe that it is a way of coming to terms with life changing events like death, marriage and baptisms, helping individuals within society to work through the crises of life. The question of whether or not religion is still relevant in a postmodern society is...
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...ed however that religion does in fact cause social change. Yet some believe that religion can be both a conservative force and a force for social change. Max Weber believed in the social action theory, where religious beliefs of Calvinists helped to bring about social change. This is supported in item A ‘religious ideas can be a powerful motivation for change, as Weber showed in his study of Calvinism.’ The emergence of modern capitalism in Northern Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries was due to Calvinist beliefs. Calvinists had several distinctive beliefs. Predestination, where god had predetermined whether a soul will be saved or not and there is nothing you can do to change this. Devine transcendence, no individual can claim to know god’s ill, which made people feel inner loneliness and ‘salvation panic’. Asceticism, abstinence, self-discipline and self-denial were required by Calvinist’s and prepared them for a life under capitalism. Vocation or calling, Calvinist’s introduced the idea of this worldly asceticism, which meant constant methodical work in occupation and was a religious duty. Again preparing people of life under capitalism as it requires hard work. Weber did not say that Calvinism was the cause of modern capitalism, but that it was one of the causes. Weber’s theory is often seen as a direct assault on Marx’s theory. Bruce was interested in the relationship between religion and social change he compaired two examples of religiously inspired protests...
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...understanding religion today Functionalists have put forward their perspective on religion and how it benefits both society and the individual starting with how religion brings people together harmoniously, creating social cohesion and a sense of belonging as people believe in the same thing and all abide by the same rules. Religion creates and maintains a value consensus whilst giving society social order. By confirming to religious beliefs this allows us to gain morals and therefore Functionalists see religion as a positive aspect to society. Durkheim defines religion as ‘a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things’. He says all societies divide the world in to the sacred and the profane. Sacred are things set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe, fear and wonder. Profane are ordinary things that have no significance. Durkheim’s views on sacred symbols represents society’s collective consciousness which is the shared norms, values, beliefs and knowledge that make social life possible; without such consciousness it would crumble. Participating in shared rituals binds individuals together reminding them that they are a part of a community. Religion defines values as sacred giving the people great power compared to the non-believers. Through collective worship society understands the moral bonds that unite them. Durkheim also argues that religion functions to reinforce the collective unity/ social solidarity of a group. The individual sees religion performing...
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...the view that the main function of religion is to promote social stability (33 marks) Social stability refers to harmony and integration within society, the main function of religion has long been argued between sociologists depending on their perspective. Among those that agree are functionalists, for example Durkheim and his study on totem worship, on the other hand Marxists argue religion oppresses the proletariat in order to maintain a capitalist society. The main sociologists that support the view that the main functions of religious beliefs is to promote social stability are functionalists. They believe that religion performs functions and helps society, this is because society’s most basic need is the need for social order and solidarity so that its members can cooperate and to do this there needs to be value consensus, which without this individuals in society would pursue their own selfish desires and society would disintegrate. One functionalist that supports this argument is Durkheim which he states that religion and its institutions play a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and solidarity. He distinguishes the difference between the sacred and the profane. He says that the sacred are the things set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions. By contrast, the profane are things that have no special significance. Therefore a religion is never simply a set of beliefs. It...
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...Asses the usefulness of functionalist theories in understanding religion today Functionalists see society as a system that works together as a whole. Functionalism is based on a consensus; this is where each institution functions to help society by working together. Functionalists argue that religion is one of the institutions that promote social integration and social solidarity through value consensus. It is need to maintain social control Durkheim argues that religion brings people together creating social solidarity. This is done through ceremonies and ritual which unite people whether they are religious or not. He argues that most religions have ceremonies such as christenings, marriages, and funerals. Durkheim disguises between the sacred and the profane which are found in every religion. The sacred are things that are set apart or forbidden such as churches, temples. These things produce a sense of awe and respect where are profane does not. Profane are objects, activities which feature in individual’s daily life, such as shopping. Durkheim argues that ceremonies take people away from their profane part of life and bring into the sacred part of their lives. This creates a collective conscience as it unites society. Society today is more secular due to the reduction of religious beliefs rituals and ceremonies still bring people together. Functionalist would argue that even today religion still maintains social integration Durkheim argues that there is nothing special...
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...relationship between religion and social change (33 marks) In relation to social change, some theories have argued that religion is a conservative force and acts to prevent change and keep society stable. This is the view held by earlier theories that stressed the role of institutions in shaping human behaviour and maintaining the stability of society, such as Functionalism and Marxism. Religion is also seen as conservative because it is traditional; defending traditional customs and moral views, for example. Functionalists view religion as a conservative force, preventing social change. Durkheim believed that religion performs an important function for society, binding people together like ‘social cement’ preventing anomie. Religion provides a set of moral values that form the collective conscience, ensuring social stability. This is where religion unifies people which leads to conformity which then makes behaviour predictable. Religion also answers eternal questions such as ‘why the good die young’ and ‘why do people suffer’ in Christian for example, helping to prevent social change. Durkheim studied totemism among Australian Aboriginal tribes. Totems are a symbol of a set of beliefs. This can be anything from an object to an animal and is treated with the highest respect by those that follow the set of beliefs or religion. For example, it is similar to the crucifix for Christians which explains why they uphold traditional beliefs in society, preventing social change. However...
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...Religion is generally described as either a conservative force or a force for change within society. If religion is a conservative force, it means that it leaves society unchanged and functions to maintain the status quo. This is seen as a good thing by many theorists but undesirable by others. In contrast, religion as a force for change within society means that it is an active force that changes society. Functionalist, Marxists and Feminists would view religion as a conservative force, whereas, Neo-Marxists and those who support Weber’s view of religion, would see it as a force for social change. Functionalists see religion as a good conservative force in society. For example, after studying the Aborigines, Durkheim, a consensus theorist, concluded that it promoted collective consciousness, integration and social solidarity. Malinowski, who studied the Trobriand Islanders, found that religion is what helped believers during the crises of life - birth, death and marriage - these events caused stress and anxiety and religion helps the individual deal with these emotions, the individual is then stabilised and any threat the unstable individual might have posed to the group is wiped away. In contrast to Durkheim and Malinowski, Parsons claimed that religion promotes consensus by doing two things; it answers the big questions in life and society’s laws usually reflect religious laws. For example, questions like ‘how was the earth created?’ and ‘is there life after death?’ can...
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...that religions main role is to dull the pain of oppression. They believe that religions act is the opium of the masses, and acts as a drug to ‘dull the pain of oppression’. Religion dumbs the pain of oppression by the promise of paradise in the next life. This shown by the Hindu Caste system where the poor believe that they will be rewarded in their next life. Religion also justifies social order. For example the hymn All things bright and beautiful demonstrates class equalities as ‘The Rich Man in his castle, the poor man at his gate; god made them high or lowly and ordered their estate’. Religion prevents people from attempting change, so the dominant groups can retain their power. Religion is used by the ruling class to justify their position. Marxist believes religion is a tool of class exploitation and oppression. Since religion disguises and legitimates the exploitative relationships of society by implying the world is shaped by god's will, which is therefore unchangeable. Due to religion people don’t attempt to change ‘gods will’ as they are promised rewards in the afterlife which will ease their pain of exploitation. Althusser argues that religion is a conservative force as religion, which prevents change so maintains being an ideological state apparatus, which distorts people’s perception of reality to serve the interests of the ruling class. For example the poor will contain to obey the ruling class, as they believe it is Gods will. He believes that religion provides...
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