Beliefs in society

• What are the three types of definitions of religion?

  Substantive, functional, and social constructionist
• What does the substantive definition of religion focus on?


  Belief in a supernatural power or God
• How does the functional definition of religion differ from the substantive definition?


  It focuses on social or psychological functions rather than exclusive beliefs
• What does the social constructionist definition of religion emphasize?


  How individuals define religion based on their own experiences
• What are the five features of every religion?

  • Beliefs in the supernatural or sacred symbols
  • Theology (set of teachings and beliefs)
  • Practices (rituals or ceremonies)
  • Institutions (organization of worshippers)
  • Consequences (moral or ethical values)
• What is the role of rituals in religion?


  They express beliefs through ceremonies
• How do moral or ethical values function in religion?


  They guide everyday behavior and prevent immoral actions
• What is the difference between science as an open system and religion?


  Science is open to scrutiny and testing, while religion adapts to social change
• What is internal secularization in the context of religion?


  It refers to the dilution of beliefs to stay relevant
• What did Palani argue about religious beliefs?


  They are self-sustained and use devices to undermine contradictory evidence
• What are the three devices Palani mentioned that help sustain religious beliefs?


  Circularity, subsidiary explanations, and denial of legitimacy to rivals
• How does the case study by Evans-Pritchard illustrate the role of witchcraft in society?


  It shows that misfortune is attributed to witchcraft, promoting social solidarity
• What is the difference between ideology and religion?


  Religion focuses on spiritual meaning, while ideology emphasizes political impact
• What did Marx argue about class consciousness?


  It cannot occur until the working class develops awareness of their situation
• What did Gramsci state about ideological domination?


  It prevents class consciousness among the working class
• How do postmodernists view science and religion?


  They see both as meta-narratives that are no longer accepted as truth
• What is Bobbi's maternal deprivation theory?


  It suggests that children are damaged by working mothers, justifying gender inequality
• What did Mannheim state about worldviews?


  All worldviews are produced without relation to everyday individuals
• What are the two types of worldviews according to Mannheim?


  Ideological thought and utopian thought
• What are the core principles of science?


  Pursuit of facts supported by evidence, objectivity, and cause-and-effect studies
• How does science conflict with religion regarding medical treatments?


  Science may support actions like abortions, while religion opposes them
• What did Merton argue about science as an institution?


  It thrives on norms such as communism, universalism, and organized skepticism
• What are the three stages of the transition from religious to scientific explanation according to Eldridge?


  Theological, metaphysical, and scientific stages
• How do interpretivists view scientific knowledge?


  As socially constructed
• How do Marxists view ideologies in relation to science?


  They see them as manipulated by the ruling class to maintain inequality
• What do feminists argue about science?


  They see it as promoting patriarchy
• What did Durkheim state about the sacred and the profane?


  There is a fundamental distinction between them, with sacred being special and profane being normal
• What did Durkheim find in his study of an Australian Aboriginal clan?


  Regular shared religious experiences strengthen collective conscience
• How does Parsons view the role of religion during crises?


  It helps people cope with unforeseen events and promotes social stability
• What is civil religion according to Bellah?


  A belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself
• What psychological functions does Malinowski attribute to religion?


  It helps cope with stress during uncertain outcomes and times of crisis
• How do Marxists view religion as an ideology?


  It justifies suffering as inevitable and legitimizes the power of the ruling class
• What did Lenin mean by "spiritual gin"?


  It distracts the masses and keeps them from opposing the ruling class
• How does Marx describe religion in relation to alienation?


  As an opiate of the masses that cushions the pain of oppression
• What are the three ways religion cushions the pain of oppression according to Marx?


  Promising an escape from suffering, offering hope for intervention, and providing justification for inequality
• How does existential security relate to religion?


  People with less security tend to have a greater demand for religion
• What do neo-Marxists argue about religion?


  They agree it exploits the poor but argue it is not always part of the superstructure
• What is the dual nature of religion according to neo-Marxists?


  It can express hope and dreams while also deceiving people with false promises
• How does Maduro view the role of religion in social change?


  Religion can help overpower the ruling class with church support
• What is liberation theology?


  A movement in Christian theology addressing poverty and social justice