Compare and contrast different sociological perspectives on religion
There are varied perspectives on religions role in society. Functionalists see religion as featuring in all societies, serving as a unifying force that strengthens the value consensus. Durkheim argued that religion performed an important function of acting as a ‘social cement’, in other words, it provides a set of moral values that forms a ‘collective conscience’ ensuring social stability, therefore preventing anomie. Many sociologists are critical of this view as it can be seen as too positive and out-dated. Mestrovic argues that Durkheim’s ideas cannot be applied to contemporary society. Modern society has become more secular, to the extent that some consider it to be a-religious, where fewer people are attending church and collective worship; therefore religion is no longer influential enough to reinforce the collective consciousness.
Bellah argued that in modern multi-faith society, the bonding function is performed by civil religion. For example, in the US they have Americanism, which sacralises the American way of life. Religious images and phrases (E.g ‘God save America’) are used to promote and reinforce their natural …show more content…
An example being a religious ceremony, such a funeral, which brings the mourners together to support one another, whilst being comforted with the belief of their loved one lies in an after life. Considering functionalist belief of religion bring social solidarity and aiding psychological adjustments to misfortunes, Marxists would argue that religion can actually be dysfunctional for society. Examples being Ideologies of after life acting more for social control rather than social order and violent conflict between religions, such as the Catholics and protestant in Northern
There are varied perspectives on religions role in society. Functionalists see religion as featuring in all societies, serving as a unifying force that strengthens the value consensus. Durkheim argued that religion performed an important function of acting as a ‘social cement’, in other words, it provides a set of moral values that forms a ‘collective conscience’ ensuring social stability, therefore preventing anomie. Many sociologists are critical of this view as it can be seen as too positive and out-dated. Mestrovic argues that Durkheim’s ideas cannot be applied to contemporary society. Modern society has become more secular, to the extent that some consider it to be a-religious, where fewer people are attending church and collective worship; therefore religion is no longer influential enough to reinforce the collective consciousness.
Bellah argued that in modern multi-faith society, the bonding function is performed by civil religion. For example, in the US they have Americanism, which sacralises the American way of life. Religious images and phrases (E.g ‘God save America’) are used to promote and reinforce their natural …show more content…
An example being a religious ceremony, such a funeral, which brings the mourners together to support one another, whilst being comforted with the belief of their loved one lies in an after life. Considering functionalist belief of religion bring social solidarity and aiding psychological adjustments to misfortunes, Marxists would argue that religion can actually be dysfunctional for society. Examples being Ideologies of after life acting more for social control rather than social order and violent conflict between religions, such as the Catholics and protestant in Northern