Parsons

• religion and value consensus: religion provides a guideline for human action which gives rise to more specific norms, for example the christian 10 commandments form the basis of laws
• religion and social order: much like Malinowski Parsons sees religion as helping people with problems that disrupt their social life and as maintaining social stability by relieving tensions and frustrations.
• religion and meaning: helps individuals make sense of experiences which are contradictory - helps people make sense of injustices of people who profit from immoral behaviour - Christianity for example says people will reap their punishment in the afterlife