Definition of Religion & Key Concepts

• What is the definition of religion?

  A system of beliefs and practices
• What does the substantive definition of religion focus on?

  The content or substance of religious belief
• Who defined religion as a belief in a superior power?

  Max Weber
• Why is the substantive definition of religion considered exclusive?

  It excludes beliefs without a supernatural power
• How does the substantive definition affect the classification of Buddhism?

  Buddhism may not be classified as a religion
• What is the focus of functional definitions of religion?

  The social and psychological functions of religion
• Who defined religion in terms of social integration?

  Emilie Durkheim
• What does Milton Yinger identify as a function of religion?

  Answering ultimate questions about life
• How is the functional definition of religion seen as inclusive?

  It allows a wider range of beliefs and practices
• Why might collective chanting at a football match not be considered a religion?

  It does not involve a belief system
• What do constructionist definitions of religion argue?

  Religion means different things to different people
• Who identified Scientology as a religion for its followers?

  Alan Aldridge
• What is the role of religion according to Functionalists?

  It creates a collective conscience for social order
• What are religious beliefs?

  Ideas accepted as true within a religion
• What do Christians believe about God?

  There is one God in Trinity
• What are religious practices?

  Actions required to be part of a religion
• What is the definition of secularisation?

  Loss of importance of religion in society
• What does fundamentalism desire?

  A return to traditional religious texts
• What is globalisation?

  Increased interconnectedness of the world
• How might globalisation affect religious conflict?

  It can increase or reduce religious conflict
• What is ideology?

  A set of ideas put forward by powerful groups
• How do Christians view religion in terms of ideology?

  They see it as true, not ideological
• How do Marxists view religion?

  As a social construction of the ruling class
• What does religiosity refer to?

  The extent to which an individual is religious
• Why is measuring religiosity difficult?

  Belief is often a private matter
• What is a problem with secondary data on religion?

  It often lacks reliability and validity
• Why is there no official definition of religious belief?

  It varies widely among individuals and groups
• What might membership in a religious organization signify?

  Duty rather than personal belief
• What are the types of questions that might be asked in an exam regarding religion?

  • Outline and explain (10 marks)
  • Apply material from Item A and analyze (10 marks)
  • Apply material from Item B and evaluate (20 marks)