Theories of Religion (AQA A-Level Sociology): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
15 cards from this deck
Type of def'n focusing on content of religious beliefs
Type of def'n focusing on content of religious beliefs
Substantive definitions
Type of def'n examining what religion does for individuals & society
Type of def'n examining what religion does for individuals & society
Functional definitions
Durkheim: totem worship is equivalent to worshipping
Durkheim: totem worship is equivalent to worshipping
Society itself
Malinowski: religion helps people cope with
Malinowski: religion helps people cope with
Emotional stress & unpredictable events
Parsons: religion provides guidelines through
Parsons: religion provides guidelines through
Core values
Bellah's concept: secular symbols functioning like religion
Bellah's concept: secular symbols functioning like religion
Civil religion
Functionalist view: religion's role in society
Functionalist view: religion's role in society
Maintains social harmony & cohesion
Feminist view: women's religious role often limited to
Feminist view: women's religious role often limited to
Primary caregiver
De Beauvoir: religion is this towards women
De Beauvoir: religion is this towards women
Exploitative & oppressive
Marx's famous phrase describing religion
Marx's famous phrase describing religion
Opium of the people
Marx: workers unaware of society's unfairness, state of
Marx: workers unaware of society's unfairness, state of
False consciousness
Marxist view: religion prevents revolution, acts as
Marxist view: religion prevents revolution, acts as
Conservative force
Postmodernism: decline of these universal truth stories
Postmodernism: decline of these universal truth stories
Metanarratives
Postmodernist trend: people create personal belief systems
Postmodernist trend: people create personal belief systems
Individualisation/individual choice
Postmodern society: trend in church attendance
Postmodern society: trend in church attendance
Decreased