1. Functionalism & Religion

2. Learning Intentions All – Will know Durkheim’s theory of religion
Most – Will examine different functionalist views on religion
Some - Will evaluate the strengths and weakness of the Functionalist theory on religion

3. Match 3 definitions of religion
Functional Substantive Social constructionist
Beliefs must include a God or the supernatural
Interested in how individuals define religion
Looks at social or psychological functions it performs

4. Society is a system of interrelated parts
Each institution within society performs certain functions. Religion is an institution that has many functions.... Society depends on having a value consensus which maintains social order and solidarity.
What functions can you think of?

5. EMILE DURKHEIM
The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life (1912)

6. Durkheim: Religion maintains a Value Consensus, Order & Solidarity
Durkheim made the distinction between the sacred and the profane SACRED: Things set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions PROFANE: Things that have no special significance – things that are ordinary and mundane.

7. The Sacred or Profane Game

13. Religion is never simply a set of beliefs
It is rituals and practices in relation to the sacred and these rituals are COLLECTIVE – performed by social groups (Durkheim)

14. Sacred things evoke powerful feelings as they represent great power.
This great power is society itself because society is the only thing powerful enough to command such feelings
Worshiping sacred symbols is actually worshipping society itself – symbols unite individuals to a single moral code.

15. Collective Conscience
Shared norms, values, beliefs, and knowledge that make social life and cooperation between individuals possible

16. Shared rituals bind individuals together
They reinforce the collective conscience and maintain social integration
Reminds them they are part of a single moral community
Reminds them of the power of society and that they are nothing as individuals .
It strengthens us to face life's trials

17. In what ways does religion help people explain the unexplainable?

18. Remembrance Day - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSol1JxSniU
Vikings:
Diana’s funeral:

19. The Social Construction of Mormonism
In The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Émile Durkheim (1912) explains the social significance of religious life. He argues—“the universal and eternal objective cause of … religious experience … is society”; and—“that which makes a man is the totality of the intellectual property which constitutes civilization, and civilization, is the work of society.”
In this video, we see Hans Mattsson, a former high-ranking leader within the Mormon Church in Europe, coming to terms with the notion that his religion may have been constructed by society.
How else does the video link to Durkheim’s arguments?

20. Totemism Draw a totem that best represents the UK
Studied the simplest form of society- Clan Society – Arunta – Australian Aboriginal tribe
Clans consisted of bands of kin who come together to perform rituals which worship the totem
The rituals reinforce the groups solidarity and sense of belonging
The totem inspires feelings of awe as it represents the power of the group
Draw a totem that best represents the UK
totemism

21. Remembrance Day
Individually, write a paragraph identifying why Remembrance Sunday supports Durkheim’s ideas about the function of religion. At the end of the paragraph also try to criticise these ideas.

22. Cognitive Functions of Religion
Alright Terry, do you know what time it is?
Well of course I do, the time is now. What else is there?
Cognitive Functions of Religion
Religion is the source of our intellectual capacity. This is our ability to think conceptually. Religion gives us categories like time, space, cause, substance, number Any everybody needs to share these same thoughts and categories
“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” Eckhart Tolle
there is no time

23. All – Will know Durkheim’s theory of religion
Could you now answer these questions?
What does Durkheim mean by the sacred and profane?
What is totemism?
What is the collective conscience?
What are the cognitive functions of religion?

24. You should view everything—whether it be pebbles, stones or gold—as the same. Lord Krishna speaking to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita
Criticisms
Worsley (1956) There is no sharp division between the sacred and profane. What do you think this means?
This book was written over 2500 years ago and helps form the basis for Hinduism. What does this say about Durkheim’s theory?

25. Criticisms Criticisms
Totemism may be true for small clans but this does not mean Durkheim has discovered the essence of all religions.
Explains integration within small communities but not he conflicts between them.

26. What perspective do you think he is coming from? Why?
Criticisms
Mestrovic (1997) Durkheim’s theory is no longer relevant due to increasing diversity in society.
What perspective do you think he is coming from? Why?

27. Essay skills: Using the item.
Using information from Item A and elsewhere, give three (two) reasons why Durkheim’s functions of religions are criticised.(9 marks)
Item A
Like men and women everywhere, the daily lives of some tribal people are a reflection of their beliefs and traditions. Rituals which to us may seem cruel and dangerous often serve a vital role in keeping law and order within a group, and are fundamental to identity. Practices like stick fighting, ritual whipping, bull jumping and scarification fulfil important functions. As well as showing that the culture is still strong and vibrant, they give participants pride in their heritage and a sense of belonging.

28. In pairs:
Think of examples of when people are most likely to turn to religion.

29. Bronislaw Malinowski (1954)
Agrees with Durkheim that religion promotes solidarity, but does so by performing psychological functions for individuals.
Where the outcome is important but uncontrollable and uncertain.
At times of life crises.
Can you think of some examples of each?

30. Outcome important but uncontrollable
Trobriand Islanders of Western Pacific
Lagoon fishing safe & predictably successful – no ritual
Ocean fishing dangerous & uncertain – ‘canoe magic’: gives people sense of control, eases tension, raises confidence to undertake dangerous task, reinforce group solidarity

31. At time of crises
Events like birth, puberty, marriage & death major disruptive changes to social groups
Religion helps to minimise disruption, e.g. funeral rituals reinforce feeling of solidarity among the survivors & notion of immortality gives comfort to bereaved

32. Parsons (1967) Values and meaning
If I am self-disciplined and work hard, the bible says I’ll be rich and happy
God bless America
Agrees with Malinowski but sees two other important functions.
1) It creates and legitimates society’s central values
What might someone from a Buddhist country say?

33. Parsons 2) It is the primary source of meaning
Why do the good die young?
It must be God’s wish. Everything happens for a reason.
2) It is the primary source of meaning
This means more dog treats for me. Sweet!!!

34. Bellah (1970) Civic religion
In a multi-faith country like the U.S.A or the UK, what is it that binds people together?

35. Bellah (1970) Civic religion
Coronation:
civil religion has replaced religion. He found that in the USA the civil religion is Americanism. It is very similar to religion – images, coins, sculptures, cemeteries and phrases which promote social solidarity. Americanism unites faiths. The American flag was deemed sacred when Congress outlawed its ‘desecration’…

36. Erm, I said this in 1915. Get your own ideas Bellah.
Civil religion
A belief system that attached sacred qualities to society itself. This could be an identity or way of life.
Erm, I said this in Get your own ideas Bellah.
Think of rituals within the U.S.A. or UK that show loyalty to a nation.
Do you agree that civic religion causes peace and harmony between different religions?

37. Functional alternatives
The history of Communism, originally inspired by noble ideals,
clearly illustrates what happens when people attempt to change external
reality – create a new earth – without any prior change in their inner reality,
their state of consciousness. They make plans without taking into account
the blueprint for dysfunction that every human being carries within: the ego.
Eckhart Tolle
Functional alternatives
Non-religious belief and practices that perform functions similar to those of religion.

38. Most – Will examine different functionalist views on religion
Could you answer the following questions?
What 2 psychological functions does religion perform according to Malinowski?
What other 2 functions does Parsons say that religion fulfils?
What is civil religion according to Bellah?

39. Criticisms
Functional alternatives could be criticised in the same way as functional definitions of religion. It ignores what is distinctive about many religions: the belief in the super-natural.

40. Evaluation
Functionalism emphasises social nature of religion & positive functions, but neglects negative aspects, such as oppression of women
Ignores religion as a source of division & conflict, especially in complex modern society with religious pluralism (e.g. Northern Ireland)
Idea of civil religion may overcome this, but is it really religion?

41. Essay question
Compare and evaluate different functionalist perspectives on religion (24 marks)
Make a plan using the essay map
Intro = answer question in 2 sentences
P.E.E. In each paragraph and link back to question
Conclusion

42. - Some - Will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Functionalist theory of religion  
Peer assess each other’s essays using the mark scheme.
Job done!