Functionalist View on the Role and Functions of Religion...

Functionalist View on the Role and Functions of Religion in Society Assess the view that sociological arguments and evidence support the Functionalist view of the role and functions of religion in contemporary society. Functionalists believe that religion is a conservative force, and an institution which adds to the requirements of society. They say it ultimately operates as an agency of socialisation. Durkheim (1912) said that all societies are separated into the profane and sacred and that religion is a combined structure consisting of beliefs and practices which are associated to sacred items. Durkheim also stated that religion is used as a collective conscience used to avoid anomie.†¦show more content†¦They say that society will no longer be sacred, but instead the individual and peoples attitude towards society will no longer be religious. A main sociological argument which can be compared to Functionalism is Marxism. Marxism agrees that religion is a conservative force, although it is not a positive force or valuable to society. Marxism says that religion is used to reproduce, preserve and legitimise class inequality; it is seen as an ‘opiate of the masses’ and lulls the working class into a state of false consciousness. Althusser suggested religion is an ‘ideological apparatus’. Although, Marxism does fail to take into account secularisation, and although Marxism argues it isn’t a positive force, it has been in some cases for example by getting rid of ruling elites. Weber described religion as a radical force and suggested society is a result of religion. Weber bases his approach more on detailed studies of real religion such as Protestantism, Buddhism and Hinduism rather than trying to define religion like Durkheim and Marx. Weber arranged religion into two groups, other worldly (being truly religious and retreating from wider society) and this worldly (people who are engaged in wider society, but are religious). Weber believes that religion deals with ‘theodicy’, by answering difficult questions such as ‘why have I become ill?’ The religious answers to questionsShow MoreRelatedSociological Perspective On Society And Society1325 Words   |  6 Pagessociologists theoretical paradigms for explains how society influences people and how people influence society. The three main perspectives are symbolic interactionist perspective, the functionalist perspective, and the conflict perspective. All three of these perspectives look at things differently with in society. I define myself as a structural functionalist. 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