Religion: Harmony & Conflict

• Functionalists, Marxists and Feminists are a source for harmony in religion
• Neo-Marxists, New Christian Right and Israel/Palestine can be examples of religion being a source of conflict
• (Functionalists) Durkheim believes religion can bring collective worship and religion will promote the same values for all people showing religion as a source for Harmony
• However, functionalists are criticised as they fail to consider how Protestants and Catholics are in conflict despite sharing similar religions
• (Marxists) focus on religion being a source of social harmony as it will use Calvinism, and the Divine Right of Kings preserve Capitalism
• However, Marxists fail to consider how Liberation Theology fought against Capitalism by religion
• (Feminist) Focus on social harmony in religion that it will place women as superior
• However, Feminists fail to consider how religion can be liberating and has went against oppression
• Sikhism fought for women's oppression in India