Download Changing Beliefs Week 1

Access to HE – Sociology
Changing Beliefs
Week 1 – What is religion?
What is religion?

Definition
re|li¦gion
[rɪˈlɪdʒ(ə)n]
NOUN
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power,
especially a personal God or gods:
"ideas about the relationship between science and
religion"synonyms: faith · belief · divinity · worship · creed ·
teaching ·
[Oxford English Dictionary]
What do we mean by religion?

Does it always involve a belief in the supernatural?

Should we define religion in terms of different beliefs or
in the role it plays in society?

Think for a moment and write down 3 functions of religion
in society…

Who benefits from these functions?
What is religion?

Alain de Botton – Atheism 2.0

https://embedssl.ted.com/talks/alain_de_botton_atheism_2_0#
What is religion?
 Sociologists
define religion in three ways:
 1.
Substantive
 2.
Functional
 3.
Social Constructionist
Substantive definitions of religion

Focus on the content or substance of belief e.g God or
the supernatural

Max Weber (1905) defines religion as belief in a superior
or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be
explained scientifically.

Often equated to belief in God and accused of Western
bias.

Exclusive
Functional definitions

Define religion in terms of the social or psychological
functions it performs for individuals or society.

Emile Durkheim (1915) defines religion in terms of the
contribution it makes to social integration, rather than
any specific belief in God or the supernatural.

Another functionalist, Milton Yinger (1970) identifies the
functions the religion performs such as answering
‘ultimate questions’ about the meaning of life and what
happens when we die.

Inclusive
Social Constructionist definitions

Take an interpretivist approach i.e. how members of
society themselves define religion

Social constructionists are interested in how definitions of
religion are constructed, challenged and fought over.

Alan Aldridge (2007) shows how Scientology is a religion
for its members even though several governments have
denied it legal status as a religion and sought to ban it.

Important as it shows that definitions of religion can be
contested
Activity

In groups of four, make a list of the similarities
and differences between attending a football
match and attending a religious service.

Is attending a football match a religious
experience?