functionalist and marxist appr
Before we can look at the Marxist and Functionalist theories of Religion we must first have some understanding of what religion is. For many, world religion is becoming something alien, only 3% of the population of Britain attend Church. Religion is, however, much more than simple Church attendance, Religion is something that has never been high amongst the British working-class. We must take this fact into consideration. Now we have a multicultural society. However Religion is a major part of the National curriculum in education. And daily, within schools children are encouraged to perform prayers and conform to this. Nonetheless, though we are not looking into the issue of secularisation we are looking at the functionalist and Marxist accounts of religion. However we must define Religion. There are many definitions and distinctions of Religion. When defining Religion there is two main types of definition to consider, both broad and narrow these are both functional and substantive definitions of the structuralist view. Functional definitions can be criticised for being too inclusive. Substantive definitions can be criticised for being too exclusive. The clearest definition of Religion, I think is this one by Roland Rob
ertson. "Religion refers to the existence of supernatural beings that have a governing effect on life" Robert Robinson. This means that Religion refers to the existence of beings that transcend nature, that is, they do not conform to the laws of nature. These supernatural beings are superhuman; they can perform tasks that no creature on earth could possibly perform. Religion is comprised of a mixture of elements that provide a purpose and common understanding throughout society. The basis of Religion consists of shared beliefs and customs to form a basis of moral code and justification within a society. Religion also involves practices or rituals. Which simply has some repeated pattern of human action, which has some religious significance or connection. For example, marriage ceremonies in churches, baptism, prayer, confession, confirmation are all rituals. With Marxism and Functionalism theories both take the Structuralist approach and both take the macro World view, meaning they both are interested in studying the frameworks of society and how society shapes our behaviour. Both sociological perspectives were developed in the 19th Century as response to the rapid social change of the Industrial revolution. Also both sociological perspectives pursue a functionalist logic. Both perspectives are interested on the social forces and pressures of society meaning that they are deterministic. Functionalists believe that Religion is an agency of socialisation, and the role of socialisation Religion plays is that of cultural learning. Functionalists believe society represents an external constraint as norms and values regulate and limit our behaviour. Without socialisation, where people are integrated and regulated by society, social chaos would result. Social order and stability is therefore based upon individuals sharing norms and values. Pattern maintainence (latency) therefore needs to maintain the value consensus. Marxists believe that Religion is an agency of social control and that Religion uses its social control to suppress the masses through the development of false consciousness. The Functionalist perspective takes Religion at face value according to the Marxist perspective and does not recognise its underlying features whereas the Marxists uses Religion to explain social order. Conversely both theories explain social order but they differ of who benefits from them. In the Marxist perspective it describes those who benefit from social order as the ruling class; this is because there position is maintained because Religion makes people accept the status quo. In the functionalist perspective
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Approximate Word count = 1784
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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