Topic 1: Theories of Religion

What is religion?

Substantive definitions: these focus on the content or substance of religious belief, such as belief in God or the supernatural. Weber (1905) defines religion as belief in superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically.

They are exclusive.

Conform to a widespread view of religion as a belief in God.

They are accused of Western bias because they exclude religions such as Buddhism, which do not have the Western idea of God.

Functional definitions: define religion in terms of specific kinds of belief, functional definitions define it in terms of social or psychological functions it performs for individuals or society. Durkheim (1915) defines religion in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration, rather than any specific belief in God or the supernatural.

Yinger (1970) identifies functions that religion performs for individuals such as answering ‘ultimate questions’ about the meaning of life and what happens when we die.

They are inclusive.

They do not specify belief in God or the supernatural.

However, just because an institution helps integrate individuals into groups, this does not make it a religion.

Social constructionist definitions: take an interpretivist approach that focuses on how members of society themselves define religion. They argue that it is not possible to produce a single universe definition of religion to cover all cases, since in reality different individuals and groups mean very different things by ‘religion’.

They are interested in how definitions of religion are constructed, challenged and fought over. Aldridge (2007) shows how, for its followers, Scientology is a religion, whereas several governments have denied it legal status as a religion and sought to ban it. This shows that definitions of religion can be contested and are influenced by who has power to define the situation. They do not assume that religion always involves a belief in God or the supernatural, or that it performs similar functions for everyone in all societies. Their approach allows them to get close to the meanings people themselves give to religion.

Impossible to generalise about the nature of religion.

Functionalist theories of religion

For functionalists, society is a system of interrelated parts or social institutions, such as religion, the family and the economy. Society is like an organism, with basic needs that it must meet in order to survive. These needs are met by the different institutions. Each institution performs certain functions and each contributes to maintaining the social system by meeting a need.

Society’s most basic need is the need for social order and solidarity so that its members can cooperate. For functionalists, what makes order possible is the existence of value consensus- a set of norms and values by which society’s members live. Without this, individuals would pursue their own selfish desires and society would disintegrate. See Functionalism revision tool.

Marxist theories of religion

Marxists see all societies as divided into two classes, one of which exploits the labour of the other. In modern capitalist society, the capitalist class who own the means of production exploit the working class.

In such a society, there is always the potential for class conflict, and Marx predicted that that the working class would ultimately become conscious of their exploitation and unite to overthrow capitalism. This would bring into being a classless society in which there would no longer be exploitation.

See Marxism revision tool.

Feminist theories of religion

Feminists see society as patriarchal- that is, based on male domination. Many feminists regard religion as a patriarchal institution that reflects and perpetuates this inequality. Religious beliefs function as patriarchal ideology that legitimates female subordination. See Feminism revision tool.