functionalism

• 5 functions of religion according to Durkheim:

  1. stability and cohesion
  2. social identity
  3. collective conscience
  4. socialisation and social control
  5. meaning and purpose
• stability and cohesion

  • shared religious experiences provide the social cement for group unity and consensus
  • religion is a means for protecting people from anomie and alienation
  • Example- church attendance
• social identity

  • shared religious views give people identity and social membership
  • serves to integrate the person into society and strengthens their religious commitment
  • example- collective ceremonies and rituals
• collective conscience

  • religion reinforces the collective conscience- values and beliefs are reinforced
  • group is united in feeling the power of society
  • example- religious worship
• socialisation and social control

  • religion represents the value system of society
  • By promoting values through an institution socialisation occurs
  • example- cultural norms like the Ten Commandments
• meaning and purpose

  • in the event of unforeseen events, such as sudden death and natural disasters, religion offers people comfort in times of crisis
  • gives people strength to continue and promotes long-term maintenance of society
• the sacred and profane

  • Durkheim believed that the sacred symbolises society whilst the profane symbolises the individual
  • thus in worshipping the sacred, people also worshipped society
  • For Durkheim, the primary function of religion was the celebration of society
• totemism

  • durkheim used the religious practices of Australian aborigines to develop his theory
  • aboriginal society is divided into several clans
  • each clan has a totem- an animal or plant carved into wood or stone
  • the totem is a symbol and emblem of the clan
  • he concluded that a central function of religion for the aboriginals is to give clan members a symbol of group life around which their community can unite