Functionalist theories of religion

• The sacred (in Durkheim's theory)


  Things set apart and forbidden, inspiring feelings of awe, fear, and wonder with taboos and prohibitions
• The profane (in Durkheim's theory)

  Ordinary things that have no special significance
• Durkheim's theory of rituals


  • Religion has sacred rituals or practices and these are collective – performed by social groups
  • When people worship sacred symbols, they are worshipping society itself
  • Sacred symbols perform the essential function of uniting members into a single moral community
• Totemism (in Durkheim's theory)


  • The essence of all religion could be found by studying its simplest form, in the simplest type of society- clan society
  • The totem is the clan's emblem, such as an animal or plant that symbolises the clan's identity
  • When clan members worship their totem, they are in reality worshipping society- the totem inspires awe in the clan's members because it represents the power of the group
• Collective conscience (in Durkheim's theory)

  • The shared norms, values and beliefs that make cooperation between individuals possible
  • Regular shared rituals reinforce the collective conscience and maintain social solidarity
  • Rituals also remind individuals of the power of society- without which they themselves are nothing, and to which they owe everything
• Malinowski's theory of religion


  • Religion promotes solidarity by performing psychological functions for individuals helping them cope with emotional stress that would undermine social solidarity
  • Where the outcome is important but uncontrollable and uncertain, religion gives people a sense of control, which eases tension, gives them confidence to undertake hazardous tasks and reinforces group solidarity
  • At times of life crises, such as birth, puberty, marriage and especially death, religion helps people to adjust to adverse events and maintain stability
• Parsons' theory of religion


  • It creates and legitimates societies basic norms and values by sacralising them, promoting value consensus and social stability
  • It provides a source of meaning answering ultimate questions about life, helping people to adjust to adverse events and maintain stability
• Civil religion (in Bellah's theory)


  • A belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself, unifying a multi-faith society like America
  • It sacralises the American way of life and binds together Americans from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds